"What you say, matters."

"Sometimes when you're so close to it, emotionally, I can't write about it. And only now, can I begin." -Jennifer Cornay

For a few weeks now, I have been wanting to write about the murder of Lawrence King, the openly gay 15-year old boy shot to death in Oxnard, CA on February 13th. When it initially happened, I posted a blog from fightOUTloud.org onto my myspace. At the time it was written, the story was largely being swept under the rug by mainstream media. Since then, major news outlets have latched onto the story, and vigils have been held across the country in King's memory. Ellen DeGeneres even took a moment from her normally upbeat and comedic talk show to talk about the issue.

So I've been wanting to mention it. I've been wanting to write about hate crimes laws and the lack of protection for LGBT students, especially those whose gender identity varies from the societal norm, as it appears King's did. I've been wanting to write about the fact that King's killer, Brandon McInerney, is being tried as an adult, despite being only 14 years old. But every time I have sat at my desk to write, I've stopped. I've found something else to do, or something more "pressing" to write on.

Over the weekend, I learned of another hate-motivated murder of 17-year old Simmie Williams in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Like King, Williams often dressed in drag and never felt the need to hide his identity or personality from anyone. Unlike, King, however, Williams's murderer is still free. A local paper reports that the reward for information leading to the killer's arrest is up to $15,000.

After hearing about the Williams case, I began wondering why I kept putting off writing about something that is so inherently important to me, both as a gay person and as a future "legal scholar." Then, yesterday, I finally got around to watching Cathy DeBuono's latest video blog on AfterEllen.com. Her guest, Jennifer Cornay, spoke the words I opened with, and I realized why I haven't been writing about these murders. They hit too close to home. They are all too real and all too emotionally draining for me. But, thanks to this PSA from LOGO and GLSEN, I have realized that I must speak out on whatever measly platform I have.

As Ellen so eloquently put it, "we must change the message." Sadly, there are still people out there that believe gays and lesbians are trying to "take over" and intend on ruining society with some broad, diabolical scheme. Don't believe me? Check out this video created by the Victory Fund in response to an audio recording of Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern going on a n anti-gay rant. Not only does she repeatedly imply that it is a "lifestyle," but also suggests that the LGBT community is "destroying our nation," "infiltrating city councils," and plotting to get children into early childhood education so as to brainwash them into accepting homosexuality. Yes, because that would be so horrible for children to go up in an open-minded environment rather than a judgmental, elitist, minority-hating, Bible-thumping household as you have convinced me yours is, Mrs. Kern. Regardless, here's the video.

It is clear that the message of hate and bigotry still very much pervades the society we live in. And it is clear that these messages have contributed to creating a mindset (especially among young people) that it is okay to be so hateful and distrusting of a major demographic in this country. Here in South Carolina, we have felt the sorrow of losing one of our own to an anti-gay hate crime. Last May, 20-year old Sean Kennedy was fatally beaten outside a gay bar in Greenville, SC. Unlike the King case, Sean's murderer is not being charged with a hate crime, because hate crimes do not exist--in any form--in the state of South Carolina. One of only two states without any form of hate crimes statutes, South Carolina is way behind, and to help combat the issue, Sean's mother has created a foundation called Sean's Last Wish, whose mission is to change the laws in South Carolina and allow for sentence enhancement in bias motivated crimes.

The longer it takes for these cases to be properly prosecuted, and the more frequently people (especially public figures) go unchecked in spreading hateful lies about the gay community, the more young people we will lose to this senseless violence. Do something. Correct people who use the words "fag" or "gay" in everyday conversation. Tell people when you're offended by an off-color joke. Do not continue to support movies, television shows, celebrities and politicians that are part of the problem, rather than the solution.

"These words send a message that it is okay to hate and discriminate... Choose to be an ally, and a friend."

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