Protests at Albright College: Two Sides Square Off on Issue of ...

I was there as a member of Silent Witness, and I think everything went so well!

I am proud that I was a part of the wonderful event.

It's great that there is so much support for the GLBT community in Berks County. It can only get better!

Aah, the economy must not be in such bad shape when people show up to deal with what is essentially a non-issue. While I respect the right of anyone to protest, I don't respect people who waste their time putting on publicity stunts. And, BTW, Ms. Shepherd should quit making money off her dead son who she should have taught not to go off in the dark with strangers. Or was there something else going. It's been understood that his death may have actually been more drug related than having been the result of some supposed "hate" crime. I wish people would protest real day to day things like gee, I don't, umm the deaths of inner city youths who seem to die without anyone batting an eye. Guess they're not as important as the new protected class of people called "gays".

Also, does anyone know if Ms. Sheperd was paid for her visit?

I agree with you Nuyorican.

Nuyorican Interesting thoughts you have there to say the least. Gays are not a protected part of society in most states . Every body else is protect from minorities to disabled to soup to nuts. The LGBT community does not in most case's enjoy the freedoms give everybody else in this great country.They can't legally watch their loved one die who the built their life with . They can't legally receive survivor benefits from their die spouse who was not recognized under the marriage laws in all 45 plus states. Most of the time when one dies the family shows up and might I say did'nt even approve of their life style anyway with there hands open and clear out the assets that where made by the two of the them leaving the survivor pennyless. These are the things the LGBT community is fighting for. Now as far as inner city youth and we will take Reading as a model . If your name lends to your heritage which I think Hispanics have a great one, I think that it is high time that the Hispanic leaders in the city of Reading step up and address the crime and unwanted pregnancy and other things that are going on in their communities. We can't keep throwing our tax dollars at the police and the societal issues like welfare and think its going to change . Gay people can take care of themselves the just want a level playing field!

Sorry for the spelling I was in a hurry see ya later !

Ernest Schlegel wrote:

Nuyorican Interesting thoughts you have there to say the least. Gays are not a protected part of society in most states . Every body else is protect from minorities to disabled to soup to nuts. The LGBT community does not in most case's enjoy the freedoms give everybody else in this great country.They can't legally watch their loved one die who the built their life with . They can't legally receive survivor benefits from their die spouse who was not recognized under the marriage laws in all 45 plus states. Most of the time when one dies the family shows up and might I say did'nt even approve of their life style anyway with there hands open and clear out the assets that where made by the two of the them leaving the survivor pennyless. These are the things the LGBT community is fighting for. Now as far as inner city youth and we will take Reading as a model . If your name lends to your heritage which I think Hispanics have a great one, I think that it is high time that the Hispanic leaders in the city of Reading step up and address the crime and unwanted pregnancy and other things that are going on in their communities. We can't keep throwing our tax dollars at the police and the societal issues like welfare and think its going to change . Gay people can take care of themselves the just want a level playing field!

Most of the issues you claim "gays" have to put up with can be resolved with a little thing called a "Power of Attorney". And if "gays" are not being turned into a protected class why is it in the wake of the Prop 8 riots in Ca, not one of the gay riots have been arrested?? In one case of the Castro district, one girl was thrown on the ground, beaten and spit upon by gays for simply taking part in a street mission. And as for my heritage and my hispanic community, one we have actual proof we were born hispanic. Being gay, at least in accordance with the latest research, has not been disproven as a choice and like any choice. You play your cards, and takes your chances. And, btw, the day Matthew Shepherd died, a 13 year old boy was sodomized and murdered in Georgia by two gay men and not one of the media outlets gave a damn enough to even mention it in the national news. Why?? Guess that boy was not as important as a gay man who who goes off in the dark with two strangers and gets himself killed for being stupid.

Why is it the so-called anti-gay message is considered to be extreme? Can we not say the same thing about a message that says two men or two women together sexually? Sadly once again we see the mainstream media trying to product news rather then do what their job is, report news. I am not interested in a news reporters feelings, thought, or concerns when it comes to writing about the news. I simply want to read that someone protested, someone else showed up and the two side di this, that, and the other. Every time a news person decides they need to enhance thier little piece, all it does is show their bias towards one side or the other; and thats not news.

Nuyorican you have the luxury of sitting back and saying these things. YOUR PROTOCTED! because of race. I do agree with you though that this was a bad choice on Matthews part to go with these two individuals.And yes a power of attorney would take care of some of these issue's that the gay community face's. BUT ! That only address's one of the problems that gays face that I put forward to you. You don't have an answer for the others because there isn't one. And thanks for addressing that you are Hispanic and proud to be. But you did nothing to address how your Hispanic community will address crime and pregnancy in Reading so us tax payers don't have to pay the cost for the police and medical cost it involves. You didn't even go there . How proud are you now!

Gays and lesbians don't deserve special rights or protection. They deserve a one-way plane ticket out of our country... along with all the illegal immigrants.

When I go to the bloodbank to donate blood,I must answer 20 questions about my sexual behavior and if I have ever engaged a fellow male even once ,my blood is not wanted ,end of story.Now Im not a phobe but dosent this throw up a red flag to supporters of this activity? does for me.Even if I didnt find it repulsive(which I do)I would at least recognize that it is unhealthy and possibly dangerous to the public.

Way to to go there wrenchtwister.I bet you got your white robe in the closet too. Lol!

HeHateMe . Do ya think its because disease doesn't have face that questions have to be asked. Think about it.That's like saying Mexicans are spreading Swine Flu.

Once again the liberal crazies in this country forcing their ideas down everyone's throats. Only 2 or 3 percent of the American public is gay. And the 97 percent have to bend over backwards to accommodate these people with a obviously un natural and abnormal life style. I am tired of this concept that if you scream the loudest...your is the only voice heard. I am not saying they should be removed from society.....just know their place. I hear gays preach they are looking for tolerance and understanding.....then you stand up and disagree with there lifestyle and they freak out....showing you no tolerance or understanding of your opinion.

Good luck getting a Spanish person in Reading to admit they are the cause of a lot of crime, litter and a drain on social services...while tax payers pick up the tab. I didn't say all Spanish cause these problems…I am just stating an obvious fact….come to Reading one night and you'll find out what I mean.

Ernest Schlegel wrote:

HeHateMe . Do ya think its because disease doesn't have face that questions have to be asked. Think about it.That's like saying Mexicans are spreading Swine Flu.

You dismiss that too easily.
If I have traveled to Europe since 1980 or something like that,they will test my blood for Mad Cow disease.If I patronized a prostitute,or used a needle to take drugs, Im off the donors list.Is this good company? I dont want to be near any of the types of people that are the subject of the bloodbanks concern. Those folks need blood desperatly but they wont touch these types with a ten foot pole.Me neither,thanks anyway.

Somebody should be told that Westboro Baptist is run by a con artist. Fred Phelps used to work for Al Gore of all people. He's a lawyer first and a "preacher" second. Most of the time, the church's protests (which consist basically of Phelps family) is an attempt to bait a local community from banning the group, allowing Phelps to sue.

">> SHEPARD: I need to remind people, if we thought racial issues were over, they're not. "

Since when are gays a different race?

Quite different perhaps (well that's for sure), but not a different race.

Max Pain wrote:

...I am not saying they should be removed from society.....just know their place...

What a telling statement. That's the same thing society has said about women and racial minorities. No, you're not a bigot at all, are you?
KNOW THEIR PLACE?????? Nobody of intelligence has used that phrase for YEARS!

To those Baptists and gay bashers I'll mention the Good Book: John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Nothing mentioned about hate here.

Craig in OKC wrote:

<quoted text> What a telling statement. That's the same thing society has said about women and racial minorities. No, you're not a bigot at all, are you?
KNOW THEIR PLACE?????? Nobody of intelligence has used that phrase for YEARS!

My wife uses that all the time to remind me who wears the pants in our family.Dont get the wrong idea,SHE is ........OMG I hate talking to you people!LOl

Craig in OKC wrote:

<quoted text> What a telling statement. That's the same thing society has said about women and racial minorities. No, you're not a bigot at all, are you?
KNOW THEIR PLACE?????? Nobody of intelligence has used that phrase for YEARS!

Call me stupid.....I'll take my chances kissing a pig before some pillow biter. You need to go to tolerance camp...they have no tolerance for intolerance!