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07/19/08-07/21/08

Homophobes Strike Again Near Fort Lauderdale

The beleaguered gay community of greater Fort Lauderdale has been put through another homophobic incident.

After numerous physical attacks against LGBT people -- including the murder of teenager Simmie Williams Jr. in February -- and verbal attacks from Fort Lauderdale's antigay mayor Jim Naugle, three south Florida homes were vandalized by homophobes early Friday, the Miami Herald reports. The attack occurred in Wilton Manors, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale with a large gay population.

Graffiti was scrawled on cars and homes, though one of the homes hit was not owned by anyone gay.

Victim Ron Helfrich seemed to take the attack in stride, telling the Herald, "Maybe I'll just write an 'I love' on top of the word gay and add an 's' to the end." (The Advocate) 

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Rogerin MA
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 9:35 PM
    Hometown: new york

    Comment:

    Over the years I've lived in a few places, such as West Palm Beach, FL, Chicago, New York City, and Atlanta. Now I live in Massachusetts, in a mixed neighborhood. Never had problems anywhere, except with the rare, occasional, nut-case, but overall good places to live and good people.. Met some great people of several orientations. It's easy to stereotype Blue-State, Red-State, but live by the Golden Rule.


  • Name: Jim Spiker
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 8:56 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    I have to agree with Tom. It's between rural (small town included) and urban, educated and non. I lived in Tampa for many years and never had any problem at all anywhere. Now I live in Seattle (a very liberal, progressive city) and I hear of anti-gay attacks here (physical and verbal) on a regular basis. Why...if it's so "blue"? Suburban and rural uneducated youth come into every large American city every Friday and Saturday night to party and all act like they've never "heard" of gays, even though Oprah (and previously Donahue) used to address gay issues all the time, going back to the '80's. As for Paul......I've had the misfortune of visiting your NYC a couple times. Give me a break! We had better gay nightlife in Tampa!!!........without the rude shop-keepers, gay attitude and street filth! Feel free to keep your New York.


  • Name: Mike
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 1:03 PM
    Hometown: Phoenix

    Comment:

    Arizona is the only state to defeat a DOMA vote in 2006 and is very gay friendly, I am not sure what the poster above is trying to say about Arizona, but in terms of other states, Arizona is better than average.


  • Name: Tom
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 12:17 PM
    Hometown: Ann Arbor

    Comment:

    Labeling an entire state blue or red is very stupid. If you ever bothered to look at the red/blue maps after elections, that were segregated down to the individual counties, you'd see that many blue states are more red than you think. Take Michigan for example, The counties that Detroit/Ann Arbor are in, are very blue, the 80% of the rest of the land area of the state is very red. It's not about a red or blue "state", it's about urban vs. rural, and it's about being educated and cultured, or not.


  • Name: Randall Valentin
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 11:31 AM
    Hometown: Dallas, TX

    Comment:

    If anything, these attacks make me more proud of being gay and determined to be "out" all the time, every single day. I'm sure the homophobes want us to just "disappear". That's not going to happen.


  • Name: Rick
    Date posted: 2008-07-21 12:36 AM
    Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC

    Comment:

    The only time I've ever been physically attacked for being gay was in a blue state. I now live happily and openly gay in a red state. So the red state - blue state argument doesn't work.


  • Name: Rick
    Date posted: 2008-07-20 1:26 PM
    Hometown: Columbus

    Comment:

    A person who choses to live in a red state can be a person to produce change in that state. Thinking that gays should only live in blue states is the start of segregation in my eyes. Face the issue head on and work for change- don't run and hide in a safe place. We need to work in the red states to educate and enlighten those poor homophobic idiots. Anyone want to take on my brother and sister??? They are so red!!!


  • Name: Randall
    Date posted: 2008-07-19 10:35 PM
    Hometown: Dallas, Texas

    Comment:

    I agree with David on Paul's arrogant and ignorant comments. I, for one, live in a red state because it's where my family lives. I want to be able to see my grandparents and parents weekly. I would have to live pretty far to get to the nearest blue state. Besides, what would we accomplish by running away like a scared animal to a blue state? I can promise I have created more positive change for the gay social movement by staying put than Paul ever could in his over-hyped blue state.


  • Name: Robert
    Date posted: 2008-07-19 5:14 PM
    Hometown: Jacksoneville NC

    Comment:

    Paul, people live there because they find it to be a great place to live. Politicaly it isnt, but there has been a lot of changing going on that you cant see. I lived on the bible belt of bloomingdale for 6 years, when i first moved there the area was very conservative, but by the time i left i was able to walk down that avenue holding my boyfriends hand with out any fear. There was a GSA at the local highschool and Tampa had a fairly large gay community. I'm sure once Ronda storms is gone and a few other politicians, the progress will be able to make itself visible. Unfortunatly i moved from one red state to another. Thats the military for ya(military brat)


  • Name: David
    Date posted: 2008-07-19 5:07 PM
    Hometown: Florida (Orlando)

    Comment:

    You know, theres enough hate out there in the world without you contributing to it. I live in Florida, honestly it's a swing state, not a red state. And did you ever consider not everyone who lives there lives there by choice, I'm 19. Do you think the teenager who was murdered here because of his sexuallity chose to move here, or more likely do you think he was born here or his family moved here? We can't always choose the people we have to be around, so please; respect the situation some of us happen to be in, and don't be a jackass.


  • Name: Paul
    Date posted: 2008-07-19 1:15 PM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    How any gay person can live in a red state is beyond my comprehension. Certainly there are problems and challenges in the U.S. if you are gay, but living in an openly hostile area just says low self-esteem to me. Florida (and Arizona too) repeatedly keep enacting laws that tell gay people - you aren't worthy. And yet we keep moving there. Astonishing.


  • Name: Jennifer
    Date posted: 2008-07-19 12:33 PM
    Hometown: Massena

    Comment:

    Well said Bill, I'm fed up with this childish behavior myself. My fiancee and I plan to move to Canada in the fall. We've had enough of America's Dictator and his minions of hatred. Time to get married in Canada! Cheers


  • Name: bill
    Date posted: 2008-07-19 9:18 AM
    Hometown: atlanta

    Comment:

    this is the stick that breaks the back, i was down to ft lauderdale and phoenix in search of place to move looked many home s in ft l. and sent a deposit ck to r.e. agent after hearing this i called agent told him to tear up check cancel offer on house. i'll be flying to phx/tus area next week to find new retirement in a better suited area for gays.


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