08/04/2005
Young, Gay, and Hated in Florida
A few days ago I reported on a young gay couple outside of Orlando who had been victimized by arsonists who torched their mobile home and sprayed "Die Fag" on their doorstep. Here are two photographs of the victims, Chris Robertson and Paul Day, inspecting the damage to the place they once called home.
Belongings were stolen before the mobile home was set ablaze. The men are now living in an undisclosed location out of fear. Even with the evidence of the epithet, the crime "has been deemed an arson fire with an intent to burglarize" and not an anti-gay bias crime, according to Gay City News, with more details on their site. They also report that "Florida has a hate crime law that includes sexual orientation—along with race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin—as a protected category. The law provides for an enhancement of a charge, in this case arson, if anyone is apprehended for setting the fire."
The FBI has been called on, but apparently can only investigate hate crimes based on race or religion, not those related to sexual orientation.
Thankfully, this couple escaped any harm to themselves. Hate is very much alive and well in this country.
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 6:13 PM EST by Andy in Current Affairs | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
stories like these just make me sick....
Posted by: Roy | Aug 4, 2005 6:52:52 PM
Andy, is there a P.O. BOX or charity that we can send checks to help these guys outta this truly awful situation.
There are more than a few of us who can spare a couple of bucks to help our gay brothers. Anything to aid them in getting outta fucking FL would be a start.
Posted by: JOHN | Aug 4, 2005 7:14:03 PM
Here we go again... just another reason why Florida is really beginning to disgust me. (That coming from a once proud, third generation native.) I have a friend from Canada who lives here. I've started dropping hints that he should move back--and take me with him.
Posted by: Steve | Aug 4, 2005 7:35:44 PM
I think it was Paula Poundstone who suggested jumping up and down on the border of Florida so it would break off and just float away.
Posted by: david | Aug 4, 2005 7:42:24 PM
If this is, in fact, a hate crime then it is a sad state of affairs that the local police department won't investigate it as such. However, I've seen more than my share of supposed hate crimes that turn out to be something entirely different - a love triangle turned bad; a sick opportunist hoping for attention; a self-inflicted "crime" to get out of a landlord contract and the such.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in support of these guys 100% - but lets not start throwing money at them without a little more information to help us make a wise advocacy decision.
Posted by: Kelly | Aug 4, 2005 8:29:35 PM
Yes this is a disgusting case and as a Florida native it makes me sad to see it happen. We in Florida have suffered much going back to the days of the Orange Juice Queen and her badgering of the gay community. However it seems as if every few years we need the reminder that the battle is far from being over. We must be ever vigilant against the supposed good Christians and churches who foster the hatred for anyone not belonging to their church. Like the two young men who were put out of their home due to someones hatred; I too live in a small Florida town. In my community there are several gays though no one would really notice it as they are all quiet about their personal affairs. Most of the community is very accepting, however there is a church which preaches regulary the hatred of others under the guise of being good christians and promoting their faith. Until people in this country as well as some people in other countries can accept the fact that not everyone is going to live up to their obscure standards we will have problems. Unfortunately for we americans the problem exists heavily in our government where religion is now being pushed into our lives. This country was founded with freedom of religion and it is being slowly being taken from us. Without this base freedom our lives as free people will come to an end and anyone who is different will suffer. Gays, Jews, Muslims, people of varied colors and races will all suffer. History is on the brink of repeating itself, Only now it is in the United States as opposed to being in Germany.
Posted by: Bear | Aug 4, 2005 9:18:35 PM
least we forget that ryan white was driven from his home in arcadia florida and sought refuge with his mother in sarasota florida
Posted by: kuros | Aug 4, 2005 10:42:13 PM
As another florida native, this makes me terribly sad, but not suprised, considering the recent county legislation passed in Hillsborough County. I'm with the rest of you guys, I have GOT to get the hell out of Florida.
Posted by: Damien | Aug 4, 2005 10:42:37 PM
Whomever set fire to the mobile home is probably a relatively close neighbor, probably white, probably in their 20's or early 30's.
Oh, and most definitely a closet case.
Posted by: Rob | Aug 5, 2005 5:32:46 AM
Perhaps I'm having a total Alzheimer's Moment, but, as I recall, all of the Ryan White incidents happened in Indiana (no less redneck, but....). I seem to recall a family of brothers who got similar treatment somewhere in the South. Perhaps that's the similar story Kuros is thinking of.
Posted by: Leland | Aug 5, 2005 1:36:23 PM
I am amused by the fact that Floridians do not defend their state like Texans do. (See conversation a few days ago about Austin Texas)
This really just makes me sick. I agree if there is a fund set up please let us know. I would be more than happy to assist.
Posted by: Donald | Aug 5, 2005 2:12:47 PM
Instead of hollering about wishing to leave our beloved state we need to be more cautious of who we allow to represent us here on the local political scene. Too many times I see people who rush out at the "big" elections waving banners for candidates they really know nothing about only that a friend or neighbor said to go. What is needed is to get back to the base level where the new political candidates are, see what they really are and who they represent. Are they a close friend or relative of a former or current politician? A future puppet of a fixed politaical group? Or are they just a person who is not afiliated with anyone, yet. Someone tired of the way things are and trying to make a change. Perhaps it might be doing us all some good if we get rid of the families in power and establish some backing for this new blood. Back them with constant pressure as well as support for change for freedom of rights. In many ways a change to what this country was designed to be, a place for freedom for all peoples regardless of faith, sex, sexual preference, color or nationality.
Posted by: Bear | Aug 7, 2005 11:23:20 PM
O.k.
So you get the fuck out of Florida. Then what?
Are we supposed to believe that this only happens in Florida? Furthermore, how do we know that it wasn't done by the yankee carpetbaggers or the Canadians who've transplanted here?
I know I've been here 5 years but if memory serves me, this happens in other states too.
Posted by: EMT907 | Aug 8, 2005 3:18:58 AM
Through a Polk County tax database search, the address of the burned-out property is:
Paul Day
LOT 79
1500 W HIGHLAND ST
Lakeland, FL 33815-4279
Apparently, the mail is being forwarded or picked up, because I sent a small check & Paul deposited it.
I wish them well.
N
Posted by: Nanairen | Aug 23, 2005 4:35:55 PM
I would like to comment on the Paul Day arson issue.
I am Paul Day's Mother's partner.... To our disbelief Chris set the fire. Paul had nothing to do with it, in fact he is in alot of pain right now.. shock as well. I got to know Chris well when Paul's mother and I spent some time with them. Our concern now is for Paul and his healing process. Paul is a great guy thats works hard and cares about everyone, he would give you the shirt off his back if needed. He is a wonderful son and we are proud of him and feel blessed that he is a part of our family. Thank you betsy
If you would like to respond my web address is : Betsyray7079@yahoo.com God Bless you Paul and time will heal your torn heart.
Posted by: Betsy | Nov 2, 2005 12:29:27 PM