LGBT community seems less surprised, maybe because we're used to words leading to actions

[BR_Parkway]

For my entire life, the ugly words about gays and lesbians, from the preachers and politicians on down - have always led to violence against individuals and too many people say "tsk, tsk, tsk" and move on. A big part of it is the constant framing that LGBT are 2nd class citizens, somehow less human and so it's really not a big deal when one of us gets beaten or killed. In fact, the famous "gay panic defense" (but your honor, he came on to me, so I had to stab him 48 times and steal his car) is almost guaranteed to spook the jury into reducing the punishment.

Even though countless GLBT and allies have recognized that hate speech leads to drastic consequences, I wonder how many have realized how often they've also been cast in that same "2nd class, less than human" light. There have been over the top statements that we've all decried at the moment, then it was on to some other outrage many times. But I've seen far too many comments here on DU lately talking about the Tea Party and the rise in hateful comments since Obama became the nominee.

We make that mistaken observation at our own peril.

I can remember being called a traitor, giving aid and comfort to the enemy, America hater for protesting going to war with Iraq on false pretenses. How many years before Obama was that? I can remember what started out as reasonable disagreements on Bush/Cheney policies quickly devolving into heated, spit flicking personal attacks because they'd been brainwashed by folks like Limbaugh and had no clue what to say when the talking points ran out. The rest of you have been there as well, I am preaching to the choir. From the Clinton witch hunts till modern day, we've all had to deal with this over and over again. The rabid RW on TV who gets to shout his position without any criticism while you never see a lefty without a RW to "balance".

It's time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine. It's time to shame the leading politicians into not silently standing by while this crap gets said. I'm not sure how we go about doing this, especially with the House majority gone and the Senate operating under it's fucked up as usual rules. I bring it up here hoping that some who are much better organizers can take it and make it happen.

[justiceischeap]

1. +1000

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2. +2000