GLBT rights and justice

i received two emails today that i want to share with you.
both are about abusive and violent acts perpetrated against gay and lesbian people.

we have a long, long way to go in this country and globally in creating a world in which gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people can live free from the fear of oppression - in the form of individual prejudice, hate crimes, institutionalized homophobia, and state violence.

from the human rights campaign:

In Detroit last week, 72-year-old Andrew Anthos was riding on a city bus and was asked by a fellow passenger if he was gay. The passenger then followed Mr. Anthos off the bus and attacked him with a metal pipe. Mr. Anthos died from his injuries Friday night and according to media reports, police are continuing the investigation without any solid leads.

Under the current federal hate crimes statute, federal authorities have no jurisdiction to assist in this investigation, even if local authorities were to request that assistance.

The Human Rights Campaign is asking all of us to contact our Representative and urge him or her to cosponsor the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Please take action today. Click here.

and from metropolitan community churches:

Time Magazine has designated Jamaica "the most homophobic country in the Western hemisphere." Over several years, MCC has documented an alarming pattern of overt hostility, violent attacks, and murder of LGBT people in Jamaica. These incidents have received little coverage by the Jamaican media and have often been ignored by the civil authorities.

In the latest incident, three gay men in St. Andrew's parish were attacked by a mob on Valentines Day 2007. While being rescued by police, one of the gay men was gun-butted by an officer. Another was hit by a rock thrown from the mob. All of the men were taunted with anti-gay slurs by police officers.

MCC is asking people to write Jamaica's Prime Minister, The Most Honorable Portia Simpson Miller at HPM@opm.gov.jm a short message to ask her to speak out publicly against the violence, to establish a tone of respect and tolerance for all life, and to guarantee the human rights and safety of Jamaica's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens. (And to help us track responses, please send a copy of your e-mail to MCC's Communications Department at info@MCCchurch.net.)

thanks to rebecca and dad for making me aware of these two incidents and avenues to respond.