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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1999)
R T W flo u t Going all the w a y To the E ditor : We write to voice our strong support for the decision by prosecutors in Wyoming to seek the strongest punishment possible— the death penalty— tor the vicious murderers of Matthew Shepard. Log Cabin Republicans issued a statement immediately after the facts of Matthew Shep ard’s killing were known, calling for the state of Wyoming to seek the death penalty against the killers. Seeking anything less than the strongest possible punishment allowed under state law would send a message to the world that Matthew Shepard’s life was somehow less valu able than the law demands, and would send a further chill through the gay and lesbian com munity across the nation. Regardless of the sex ual orientation of the victim, such a heinous crime demands the highest punishment. Furthermore, judges letting gay bashers and killers off or giving them lenient sentences because the victims were gay is a serious problem in our judicial system. For example, in 1991, Judge Terry McDonald gave probation to a U.S. Marine in San Antonio convicted of beating a gay man to death. Referring to the victim, McDonald said, “The son-of-a-bitch got what was coming to him.” To offer a reduced punish ment to the perpetrators ot the most heinous murder in recent Wyoming history not only pro fanes the memory of Matthew Shepard, it sets a frightening precedent which devalues the life of every gay person in America. We were disheartened to read of growing sentiment among gay activists calling for prose cutors to seek a reduced punishment for Matthew Shepard’s killers. They are forgetting the crucial importance of insuring that gay Americans receive full justice under the laws of this country, without exception. It is important to note that these same peo ple who attacked Congress late last year for fail ing to pass a federal hate crimes law in the days after Matthew Shepard’s death are now advo cating incomplete justice under existing laws. A federal hate crimes law, while a helpful and important tool, would not have saved Matthew Shepard’s life. But punishing his killers to the fullest extent of the law will send an unmistakable message to every gay basher in America that they had better think twice before trying it, or they will face the hammer of justice. Nothing could speak louder to the purveyors of hate. These depraved murderers, if convicted, must receive the maximum punishment, and in Wyoming that is the death penalty. Anything less would be a disgrace to justice and a danger ous legal and moral precedent. S igned by 18 members of the national L og C abin R epublicans board of directors , including P ortland attorney J erry K eene Washington, D .C . Once again Just Out took to the streets of Portland to ask those encountered, “ What do you think of the current crop of new moviesV* 0H3Ü SiSdldLIlTI Truth touches close to home To the E ditor -. a m æ P h il S parks Portland Owner, Homebodies “I find that there are usually better movies showing at Silvera do.” -> >> * r •feu , > S helley S tefan Portland Artist woman W Æm ** J a » % “There aren’t enough positive, pow erful lesbian love models. There’s not enough art. There aren’t enough hearty, hairy dykes.” G aia Portland Dog about town R obert S wortfiguer Portland Owner, damd “Babe this, Babe that— there are too many pig movies today. Where are the good dog roles?” “I’m excited about the movies I’ve seen recently. Gods and Monsters and Little Voice were both great.” Thank you for the article about Michael Broderick [“No More Lies,” Just Out, Dec. 18]. Hurrah for him and others like him who finally reach deep down for courage to be who they are. I’m a late bloomer myself. 1 came out one year ago, which came about as 1 entered more deeply into sobriety. Although a select few knew prior to this historic moment, I first formally told my family that I was gay and thankful of it. Why? Because 1 was able to accept myself for who I am— [an] alcoholic and homosexual. Both realities are not only facts but gifts. It was a long and painful process for me to accept these fundamental dimensions of myself, but the rewards have outweighed the pain. Now I can connect with myself, others and my God on a more realistic and enjoyable level. Thanks again for the article, and in particu lar, thank you to Mike for his willingness to share this important milestone in his life with your readers. Got a question that keeps you up at night ? We’ll get the answers you need! Contact Just Out via fax at (503) 236-1257; via e-mail at justout@justout.com; or via the U SPS at P.O. 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