Parents of murder victim to urge lawmakers to protect gay kids

[canis_lupus]

(From The Orlando Sentinel)

The parents of Ryan Keith Skipper, the victim of a gay-hate-crime murder in Polk County, will mark what would have been his 27th birthday Monday by joining others in support of anti-bullying legislation in Tallahassee.

Hate crimes against gays can start with bullying of gay students in high schools, said Brian Winfield, communications director for Equality Florida, a gay civil-rights organization.

"Bullies are the people who grow up to commit hate crimes in early adulthood," he said.

Skipper was stabbed to death March 14, 2007, his body dumped on an unpaved road and his car burned and abandoned beside a Winter Haven lake. Two men have been charged with his murder.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/southwest/orl-bullyside2608apr26,0,1176504.story?track=rss

[Bluzmann57]

1. Killing a guy just because he's gay.

All killing is senseless, but hate crimes are more heinous. At least in my opinion they are.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. One thing that I think is important

is that murderers who base their crime upon hate be studied, so that, perhaps, an underlying reason for their actions be found. My guess is that it is a combination of factors-an unloving home life, hatred taught from an early age, perhaps even influence of a religious organization. If it could be pinpointed, perhaps some form of intervention in the lives of youngsters in similar situations could be started.

[Cresent City Kid]

3. Sad

I'm still waiting for a non-religious explanation from opponents of these laws or any laws involving sexual orientation.