Newspapers / Community Connections (Asheville, N.C.) / April 1, 1991, edition 1 / Page 17
Part of Community Connections (Asheville, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Community Connections, April, 1991 Page 17 CRIMES - continued from page 1 Hotlineof the Triad, Greensboro/Winston- Salem; and GROW Gay and Lesbian Switchboard, Wilmington) and four documentation projects (Southern Appalachian Lesbian and Gay Alliance, Asheville; First Tuesday Association for Lesbian and Gay Equality, Charlotte; Guilford Alliance for Gay and Lesbian Equality, Greensboro; and National Organization for Women, Winston- Salem). Other contributors were St. Mary’s Metropolitan Community Church, Triad Health Project, White Rabbit Books, Friday Night Dinner Group for Youth, XTC Nightclub, and Encore, Greensboro; Carolina Gay and Lesbian Association, Chapel Hill; The Front Page, Raleigh; NC Senate Vote ’90 and Lesbian and Gay Health Project, Durham; GROW AIDS Resources Project, Wilmington; Q-Notes, Charlotte; Community Connections and C.L.O.S.E.R., Asheville. Also helping in compiling and preparing the report were Jim Duley, Chapel Hill (NCCGLE Co- Chair); Chris Werte, Charlotte (First Tuesday); Leo Teachout, Wilmington (GROW); and Martha Copeland, Asheville (SALGA), as well as others. "Homophobic violence, harassment and discrimination do not exist in a vacuum: they are products of the A Statistical Overview TOTAL INCIDENTS 1530 Harassment: 1191 •Teen/Youth 101 •Switchboards 751 •Work/School 89 •Religious 33 •Suicide attempts preceded by harassment 7 •Other 210 Threats 213 •Switchboards 204 •Other 9 Vandalism 8 Assault/Robbery 70 Homicides 2 Discrimination 46 •Employment/ • School 13 •Housing 13 •Medical/Denta 9 •Public Accommo- dation 4 •Police 7 Family Violence against lesbian or gay children or parents (not included in above totals) 376 culture and the current events framework in which they occur. " That’s how one section of this year’s report begins. At the same time, that lesbians and gay men have made major strides toward gaining full civil and human rights in this country, greater visibility has made us more aware of the hostility and violence that our society harbors against those perceived to be different. That hostility is directed not only against lesbians and gay men, but also against other minority groups including Blacks, Hispanics, Southeast Asians, and Jews. Gay and lesbian youth are not immune to our society’s bigotry. One hundred and one calls were logged by the Greensboro Hotline from teenagers harassed by peers or in school because of their perceived sexual orientation. The data show two "spikes" in the number of reported incidents—one in April/May and another from late September to early November. The sudden increase at those specific times correspond to the U.S. Senate primary and general election, pointing to a correlation between the attacks on minorities, including gay men and lesbians, by the victorious incumbent, Jesse Helms. In regard to Hate Crimes, the FBI’s uniform reporting guidelines note: There are those who are victimized, sometimes subtly, and other times overtly, for no reason other than the color of their skin, the religion they profess, the heritage of their parents, or their sexual orientation. It is most unsettling to the victims because there is nothing they can do to alter the situation, nor is there anything they should be expected to change. Not only is the individual who is personally touched by these offenses victimized, but the entire class of individuals residing in the community is affected. Gay men and lesbians have in the past been voiceless and without an advocate. But that is no longer true. We have found our voices and we are beginning to speak for ourselves and educate the public about who we are. We must continue to speak up and to speak out. When you experience harassment, discrimination, or violence because you are gay or lesbian, report it to the nearest documentation project and to the US Department of Justice hotline (see front page). Support and participate in your local gay and lesbian speakers’ bureau. Support your area’s documentation project, and help it to expand to the more rural areas. Make a financial commitment to your future, as well. Join the North Carolina Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality (NCCGLE), and the Southern Appalachian Lesbian and Gay Alliance (SALGA). Share in this valuable work. ▼ doo0 SiddaH cHrtW At® jot MW=> (MW OTituOwdly ^mOw)? A Research Study is being conducted at UNC-Chapel Hill to examine the role of stress on the immune system for people at risk for getting AIDS. Who Qualifies? Gay or Bisexual Men HIV+ or HIV- No symptoms related to HIV* Not on any antivirals (e.g., AZT)* 18 - 50 years old Benefits: $175.00 for 2 day/night visit Free medical exams Free blood tests (including T-4 cell) Access to all medical and lab results Referrals to resources *upon entry into the study All information kept strictly confidential. If you meet all of the criteria listed, you may be eligible for this research study. Call (919) 966-6001 or (919) 966-5478 collect for more information. You can help make a difference in the fight against AIDS.
Community Connections (Asheville, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 1, 1991, edition 1
17
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75