hi everyone. i was wondering if anyone had any friends or loved ones that have survived or witnessed gay/lesbian/trans hate crimes inside of prison or jail... and if so, where did it happen. i know it's a depressing topic, but it sparks my interest. here's my story:

my friend told me how when he was first moved to attica, during "check in", one CO singled him out and made him stand up against the wall in front of all the other new inmates, and state his name, and why he was in prison. then the CO asked him sarcastically "ARE YOU A FAG?" and my friend answered "yes", then the CO said "HAVE YOU SEEN ANYONE IN HERE YOU WANT TO FUCK YOU YET?"... my friend didn't answer. then the CO got up in his face and yelled "I'D BETTER NEVER CATCH YOU STARING AT ME, OTHERWISE I'LL HAVE to ASSUME YOU'RE TRYING TO FLIRT WITH ME AD I'LL HAVE TO KICK YOUR ASS"!!!

yikes!

underpants,

You will find a couple of threads in the GLBT Forum that do speak to 'hate crimes'.

Here is my understanding - but please be aware that my direct experience is through my Partner and so it is limited... For the record, he has had a relatively 'hate free' time while incarcerated, and has never really hidden the fact that he is gay.

My Partner first off is not afraid to stand up for himself. He also has the support of many straight friends in prison that he has come to know over time. He also keeps quiet and to himself a lot - personal choice.

It is my understanding (and I may not put this in the right words) that it is not really acceptable - by Prisoner code of conduct - to attack someone purely because they are gay in prison. If a gay man or woman 'wrong' you in some way, then retaliation will probably occur. But, to attack someone purely because they are gay is not cool.

I am not suggesting that it does not happen. It does from both other Prisoners and CO's, but I also think that these events are more isolated than we might be led to think?

Hopefully some of the ex-cons that we have here on PTO will add to this...

I think, for the most part, this subject is drastically different in mens prisons than in womens. Meaning, I think the whole "same sex relationship" thing is more accepted in the womens prisons.

I personally did a 3 year stretch in the prison systems in NC. While I was in there... Yea, I did see some pretty bad stuff... from fighting to rape.... but from what i seen, it wasn't based on sexual preference. Thankfully I only seen one woman get raped, (I say thankfully because it could have been more).... she wasn't gay or even bi, but was caught talking alot of crap about all the "Dikes that get locked up"!

I believe I'd have to agree with Teb on this one in saying, that these events are more isolated than we might be led to think.

Jodygirl

thanks teb and jodygirl, thats interesting info. the story about the guard singling out and humiliating my friend when he was in receiving just made me wonder what happens to other gay inmates. good to know it isn't something happens too often.

Remember that hate crimes doesn't have to be race or even sexual preferrences! But also can be the crime you commited that would make the hate crime! it's a rising thing that UN is trying to take down! Did you know that one of the UN's biggest concern when UN started was about prisoners abuse? They are probably one of the biggest hopes yet to end prison rapes, murder and violence!

Steph

just for your information....ALL CRIMES ARE CAUSED BY "HATE"...not just those committed toward "gay" people!
hate has caused all the wars and crimes ever committed and for the "gay" groups to say its exclusively crimes done against them, are mis-informed and selfishly trying to put all the attention on that one group....and to use their word...that is very "intolerant!"

No Gay group ever suggested that 'hate crimes' are committed exclusively toward Gay people.

Hate crime legislation existed for the benefit of Jewish and Racial crime long before Gay issues were recognized under hate crime legislation or law.

In fact in many states today hate crime legislation does NOT include the protection of Gay and Lesbian people if a crime is committed out of 'hate'.

No one is trying to put all the attention on that one group - the 'gay' group.

State and Federal Legislation on Hate Crimes

Currently, 40 states and the District of Columbia have hate crime statutes applying to race, religion, and ethnicity. However, fewer than half of the state hate crime legislation applies to crimes motivated by gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. While race, ethnicity, and religion motivate 88 percent of all hate crimes in America, sexual orientation alone motivates a full 12 percent. However, several recent pieces of federal legislation have been enacted that address the problem of hate crimes in America that target all of the above groups.

http://www.crf-usa.org/bria/bria10_3.html#hate

This particular thread did address and ask a question about 'hate crimes' specifically targeting gay men in prison - but did not suggest that the gay population is the only group experiencing hate crimes.

thanks teb, you beat me to it.

Originally posted by odelljrg
just for your information....ALL CRIMES ARE CAUSED BY "HATE"...not just those committed toward "gay" people!
hate has caused all the wars and crimes ever committed and for the "gay" groups to say its exclusively crimes done against them, are mis-informed and selfishly trying to put all the attention on that one group....and to use their word...that is very "intolerant!"



While I would agree with you in a lot ( maybe even most cases) that crimes are caused by hate, I must disagree with you that all crimes are caused my hate.My own crime was caused by my inability to handle the amount of drugs and (to an extent) alcohol I was doing. My crime was something I would never have done sober.


As to crimes against the GBLT population, my personal opinion is that the majority is done out of FEAR!!!! Fear that OUR 'condition' is contagous. I have identified myself as bisexual (actually I didn't know the term 'bi-sexual' at the time) since I was 13, fortunatelt most of my family and friends response at that time was one of nonchalance. My mother's said she wasn't surrprised my stepfather asked if I was Happpy.


But once I got in the system I started getting a lot of negative feedback because of my sexuality and beliefs. My "husband" wants me to hide these things from his family, which is hard because I have never been "in the closet".


Anyway either way I am here for anyone who just wants to talk.

There seems to be alot of "Gray" bashing going on in a majority of the threads on this site. It does very little to help the situation. I think most of those with loved ones inside would be suprised at how well "MOST" CO's try to do their jobs.

What is just as repulsive (if not more so) than the bigotry that often motivates many so-called hate crimes is the notion that we, as a society, should enhance the penalties against those offenders who commit such crimes. In doing so, we confer "special victim status" upon the privileged few fortunate enough to find themselves in a particular legislatively designated minority. It is precisely that sort of distinction drawing--often made on the basis of race, gender, national origin or sexual preference--that breeds cynicism and resentment--a resentment that is appropriately found whenever and wherever institutional bigotry is codified.