Let's do something to end officially permitted homophobia in P.R. - VOICES / Puerto Rico Daily Sun

The following related VOICES appeared in Puerto Rico Daily Sun on Oct. 22, 2009;

President Obama's Speech About Gay Rights made me mad as hell. Let me explain why...

On Saturday night, October 10, I viewed on C-Span the remarks by President Barack Obama at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Washingon. I felt terrific throughout the entire talk until near the end. As I listened, I became very aware that our president knows all the ramifications of the sick and cruel discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. He also knows how to do something to end this discrimination though it would take time and lots of effort. Near the very end of his talk he made the following truthful statement which hit a raw, angry nerve within me. I knew exactly what he was talking about. Here is what he said:

"...That's the story of America: of ordinary citizens organizing, agitating and advocating for change; of hope stronger than hate; of love more powerful than any insult or injury; of Americans fighting to build for themselves and their families a nation in which no one is a second-class citizen, in which no one is denied their basic rights, in which all of us are free to live and love as we see fit.(Applause.)

Tonight, somewhere in America, a young person, let's say a young man, will struggle to fall to sleep, wrestling alone with a secret he's held as long as he can remember. Soon, perhaps, he will decide it's time to let that secret out. What happens next depends on him, his family, as well as his friends and his teachers and his community. But it also depends on us -- on the kind of society we engender, the kind of future we build..."

I have lived in Puerto Rico since May 1986 as a retiree. I love the Puerto Rican people. However, in all honestly, I think a lot of Puerto Rican governmental officials are incompetent and corrupt. They are self-serving rather than believing in the principles of American democracy. In fact, too many of these supposed leaders have no idea what America is all about. Many of them do not deserve the term "Honorable" before their governmental title. I must add that I am a registered member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (NPP) on the local level and a lifetime proudly Liberal Democrat on the national level. I grew up in Hyde Park, New York, and was, as a student, a friend of Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt. She instilled in me and other students at F. D. Roosevelt High, what it means to be an American. I met President Roosevelt on about three occasions. I am now eighty-one years old. I was around ten years old when I, personally one-on-one, met President Roosevelt. He introduced me to the Prince of Denmark. On another occasion, I asked him to tell his state troopers not to scare our cows with their motorcycles loud motors. He said that I made his day with my youthful courage and innocence. He hugged me as if he was my father.

As a never-ending refrain, Puerto Rican politicians, including members of the pro-status quo Popular Democratic Party, insist that Puerto Ricans should be given the right to vote for President of the United States and to have voting representatives in both houses of the United States Congress. They love to use the expression that Puerto Ricans should not be treated by the United States as "second-class citizens." They often emphasize that in America, it is immoral to treat Puerto Rican citizens as "second-class citizens."

The New Progressive Party is now in power in both the Executive (Fortaleza) and Legislative branches of the territorial government known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. What uniformed, un-American hypocrisy! These same NPP officials have constantly denied human rights to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender American citizens residing in Puerto Rico. Thomas Rivera Schatz, President of the Puerto Rico Senate, actually took great pride in saying he would not allow one women to be appointed to an official position because she is a lesbian. Former Senator Jorge De Castro Font, who pleaded guilty to honest wire fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion, controlled for years the legislative procedure and did not allow any gay human rights legislation to be considered by the Puerto Rico Senate. He is now waiting to be sentenced in the federal court. I have reasons to suspect that we have some "Larry Craig" types among our politicians. I can usually spot a closet type.

The examples of denying human rights to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender goes on and on in Puerto Rico -- never ending. While these backward politicians in Puerto Rico demanded that Puerto Rican not be treated as "second-class citizens," they denied equality and human rights to LGBT Americans residing in Puerto Rico. I would say they actually treated LGBT residents of Puerto Rico more as "third-class citizens." There is very little separation of Church and State in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican bigoted leaders pride themselves as being part of the Spanish culture. If they are part of the Spanish culture, it is the period of the Spanish Inquisition in Spain a few hundred years ago. In sharp contrast to today's Puerto Rico, today's Spain allows gay marriages and many other enlightened human rights for LGBT people.

I have had confused feelings about the General Strike on October 15. These protests, though against the firing of public employees, are being positioned as a struggle for human rights or justice in Puerto Rico. When President Obama made the connection in his talk of LGBT rights, that it is treating gay peoples as "second-class citizens," I got angry as hell. I now ask my self as to how can Puerto Rico's politicians say they are against making Puerto Ricans "second-class citizens" when they hypocritically make LGBT residents of Puerto Rico "second-class citizens." Maybe, even "third-class citizens." Thanks to Obama's insightful remarks, there is deep down in my gut a desire to want to grab a rainbow flag and join the General Strike on October 15. Maybe, it is time for me to be self-serving as our incompetent and corrupt un-American officials. Will LGBT people, their families and friends be waving the rainbown flag on October 15? If they are, I could work off some of my outrage against un-American officials. When it comes to violation of human rights in Puerto Rico, I feel so helpless! No one cares!

It is a great idea. In fact, I remember when Fortuño wanted to "entice" the LGBTQ's billions, to the island by painting a portrait of Puerto Rico as a "gay friendly heaven", capitalizing on the fame San Juan used to have as a gay mecca, especially among Eastern states LGBTQ community.

We, Puerto Ricans, have to denounce to the world that Jamaica, as opposed to Puerto Rico, is honest enough to admit their official homophobia.

How can our island attract our nation's gay customers, to expose them to a violent, homohating atmosphere.

Our society, more than homophobic, is homohater.

Jorge de P.Rico

Wasnt the gay guy selling himself as a prostitute? wasnt he also dressed as a female?

wasnt he looking for trouble?

Im not for any killing or what you call as well as hate crimes, but these are some questions to think about...

TJM wrote:

Wasnt the gay guy selling himself as a prostitute? wasnt he also dressed as a female?
wasnt he looking for trouble?
Im not for any killing or what you call as well as hate crimes, but these are some questions to think about...

That's typical reasoning from you--blame the victim. In that case you agree with the chief of police and his stupid comments.

NOT REALLY wrote:

<quoted text>
That's typical reasoning from you--blame the victim. In that case you agree with the chief of police and his stupid comments.

Dont agree with the chief,,just stating the facts of the situation

TJM wrote:

<quoted text>
Dont agree with the chief,,just stating the facts of the situation

The same as the Chief--stupid--blame the victim. It's like blaming a the woman in a rape case because she was wearing a mini-skirt and was beautiful.

Upfront Yankee wrote:

As a never-ending refrain, Puerto Rican politicians, including members of the pro-status quo Popular Democratic Party, insist that Puerto Ricans should be given the right to vote for President of the United States and to have voting representatives in both houses of the United States Congress. They love to use the expression that Puerto Ricans should not be treated by the United States as "second-class citizens." They often emphasize that in America, it is immoral to treat Puerto Rican citizens as "second-class citizens."
The New Progressive Party is now in power in both the Executive (Fortaleza) and Legislative branches of the territorial government known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. What uniformed, un-American hypocrisy! These same NPP officials have constantly denied human rights to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender American citizens residing in Puerto Rico. Thomas Rivera Schatz, President of the Puerto Rico Senate, actually took great pride in saying he would not allow one women to be appointed to an official position because she is a lesbian. Former Senator Jorge De Castro Font, who pleaded guilty to honest wire fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion, controlled for years the legislative procedure and did not allow any gay human rights legislation to be considered by the Puerto Rico Senate. He is now waiting to be sentenced in the federal court. I have reasons to suspect that we have some "Larry Craig" types among our politicians. I can usually spot a closet type.
The examples of denying human rights to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender goes on and on in Puerto Rico -- never ending. While these backward politicians in Puerto Rico demanded that Puerto Rican not be treated as "second-class citizens," they denied equality and human rights to LGBT Americans residing in Puerto Rico. I would say they actually treated LGBT residents of Puerto Rico more as "third-class citizens." There is very little separation of Church and State in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican bigoted leaders pride themselves as being part of the Spanish culture. If they are part of the Spanish culture, it is the period of the Spanish Inquisition in Spain a few hundred years ago. In sharp contrast to today's Puerto Rico, today's Spain allows gay marriages and many other enlightened human rights for LGBT people.
I have had confused feelings about the General Strike on October 15. These protests, though against the firing of public employees, are being positioned as a struggle for human rights or justice in Puerto Rico. When President Obama made the connection in his talk of LGBT rights, that it is treating gay peoples as "second-class citizens," I got angry as hell. I now ask my self as to how can Puerto Rico's politicians say they are against making Puerto Ricans "second-class citizens" when they hypocritically make LGBT residents of Puerto Rico "second-class citizens." Maybe, even "third-class citizens." Thanks to Obama's insightful remarks, there is deep down in my gut a desire to want to grab a rainbow flag and join the General Strike on October 15. Maybe, it is time for me to be self-serving as our incompetent and corrupt un-American officials. Will LGBT people, their families and friends be waving the rainbown flag on October 15? If they are, I could work off some of my outrage against un-American officials. When it comes to violation of human rights in Puerto Rico, I feel so helpless! No one cares!

Upfront you are becoming more incoherent as you continue. I challenge you to list these "HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS" by the Puerto Rican government. Define it properly, if civil rights have been violated, than say it and back it up.

There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that homosexuals in Puerto Rico do not receive equal protection under the law. In fact, you need only look to the most famous "hate crime" of all - Matthew Shepard - to arrive at that conclusion. Although the evidence determined that Shepard's murder was not a "hate crime" by definition (a misconception still widely propagated by the homosexual lobby, the media and liberal lawmakers) the two thugs who committed the crime nonetheless received life in prison, and rightfully so.(Shepard's murder turned out to be the end result of a robbery for drug money gone from bad to horrible).
By the same token, the murderer of Mary Stachowicz, a devout Catholic grandmother who was brutally killed by a homosexual man in Chicago merely for sharing the Bible, was also given a life sentence. The system worked in both cases, and both victims received equal justice under the law apart from any "hate crimes" legislation.
Jorge Steven Lopez’s murderer will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law with or without hate crimes legislation, which did nothing to protect him from being murdered. Using this heinous act as a political leverage is distasteful.
The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees "equal protection under the law" for all citizens – regardless of their sexual preference. This legislation flies in the face of the 14th Amendment creating a two-tier justice system made up of first-class victims such as homosexuals and cross-dressers, and second-class victims such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, the homeless and others who choose not to engage in homosexual or cross-dressing behaviors.

NOT REALLY wrote:

<quoted text>
The same as the Chief--stupid--blame the victim. It's like blaming a the woman in a rape case because she was wearing a mini-skirt and was beautiful.

Well, the homosexual was deceiving, and committing a crime. I dont think the woman wearing the miniskirt was committing a crime, unless you have that link for the rest of us to read.

It is sad that this is a terrible crime, but I hoep the media, and the govt doesnt use this to ''wag the dog'' from other problems happening in the island.

TJM wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, the homosexual was deceiving, and committing a crime. I dont think the woman wearing the miniskirt was committing a crime, unless you have that link for the rest of us to read.
It is sad that this is a terrible crime, but I hoep the media, and the govt doesnt use this to ''wag the dog'' from other problems happening in the island.

You have made my point about how incredulous you are. You have no comprehension skills or insight. Truly you are a lost misdirected soul.

NOT REALLY wrote:

<quoted text>
You have made my point about how incredulous you are. You have no comprehension skills or insight. Truly you are a lost misdirected soul.

and I dont know math either!! 2+2=5!

yep,,keep on insulting me, while I ask the hard questions for an open debate!

I thought Topix was for a true, sometimes demanding debate,,,but all I have seen are a bunch of ''boricuas'' that if you dont agree with what they say, they stoop so low as to insult you personally.

TJM wrote:

<quoted text>
and I dont know math either!! 2+2=5!
yep,,keep on insulting me, while I ask the hard questions for an open debate!
I thought Topix was for a true, sometimes demanding debate,,,but all I have seen are a bunch of ''boricuas'' that if you dont agree with what they say, they stoop so low as to insult you personally.

You have no concept of debate, just frustration and anger and your ranting have proven that. I have given you more resources on any given point and you have read none of them. Why bother any longer. I already have an accurate assessment of you.

NOT REALLY wrote:

<quoted text>
You have no concept of debate, just frustration and anger and your ranting have proven that. I have given you more resources on any given point and you have read none of them. Why bother any longer. I already have an accurate assessment of you.

you dont show or speak facts. If you dont want to respond to my comments, you are at liberty not too.

That is exactly why PR is in the condition that it is right now, the stupid " Ay bendito", and dont get me wrong I am 100% puertorican, but I am not blind. I believe this has been taken out of proportion, and people has to be carefull with what the watch on PR tv, remember there is something called rating.

They are making a big deal of the guy who got killed, because he was gay, and now it is a hate crime yada, yada, yada. People whether he is gay or not is not the point, he is just a human been like anybody else, however, this guy practice prostitution, which expose him to be in a line of danger whether he was gay or not, this is more like cause and effect in my opinion. I believe we should protest with the same intensity when there are 12 people killed in just a weekend, but since the people who is getting killed is in the projects,who cares? but if is gay is hate crime?
Lets stop been so hipocrits, this island cant take more crime whether the victim is gay or not.

That is exactly why PR is in the condition that it is right now, the stupid " Ay bendito", and dont get me wrong I am 100% puertorican, but I am not blind. I believe this has been taken out of proportion, and people has to be carefull with what the watch on PR tv, remember there is something called rating.
They are making a big deal of the guy who got killed, because he was gay, and now it is a hate crime yada, yada, yada. People whether he is gay or not is not the point, he is just a human been like anybody else, however, this guy practice prostitution, which expose him to be in a line of danger whether he was gay or not, this is more like cause and effect in my opinion. I believe we should protest with the same intensity when there are 12 people killed in just a weekend, but since the people who is getting killed is in the projects,who cares? but if is gay is hate crime?
Lets stop been so hipocrits, this island cant take more crime whether the victim is gay or not. I wish people will have the balls to complain about the big racism who operates in PR, but in PR the subject is taboo, puertoricans live in denial of who they are and where they come from.

NOT REALLY wrote:

<quoted text>
You have made my point about how incredulous you are. You have no comprehension skills or insight. Truly you are a lost misdirected soul.

He is a troll. It is best to ignore trolls as though they do not exist. A troll feeds on any kind of attention, especially negative. They have no intelligence, logic or sanity. They are a cancer on blogs that debate intelligently and with politeness important issues. Trolls do not want an truthful exchange of views or a learning experience. IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE

Upfront Yankee wrote:

<quoted text>
He is a troll. It is best to ignore trolls as though they do not exist. A troll feeds on any kind of attention, especially negative. They have no intelligence, logic or sanity. They are a cancer on blogs that debate intelligently and with politeness important issues. Trolls do not want an truthful exchange of views or a learning experience. IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE

Troll (Internet)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"Do not feed the trolls" and its abbreviation DNFTT redirect here. For the Wikimedia essay, see "What is a troll?".
In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response[1] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[2]

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
1.1 Early history
1.2 In other languages
2 Published research on trolling
3 Concern troll
4 Troll sites
5 Usage
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
8.1 Troll FAQs


[edit] Etymology

"Trolling for blue fish" lithograph by Currier & Ives, 1866.The contemporary use of the term is alleged to have first appeared on the internet in the late 1980s,[3] but the earliest known example is from 1991.[4] It is thought to be a truncation of the phrase trolling for suckers, itself derived from the fishing technique of slowly dragging bait through water, known as trolling. The word also evokes the trolls portrayed in Scandinavian folklore and children's tales as they are often creatures bent on mischief and wickedness. The verb "troll" originates from Old French "troller", a hunting term. The noun "troll", however, comes from the Old Norse word for a mythological monster.[

Upfront Yankee wrote:

<quoted text>
He is a troll. It is best to ignore trolls as though they do not exist. A troll feeds on any kind of attention, especially negative. They have no intelligence, logic or sanity. They are a cancer on blogs that debate intelligently and with politeness important issues. Trolls do not want an truthful exchange of views or a learning experience. IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE

I could not have said it better and TJM is a troll.

Upfront Yankee wrote:

<quoted text>
He is a troll. It is best to ignore trolls as though they do not exist. A troll feeds on any kind of attention, especially negative. They have no intelligence, logic or sanity. They are a cancer on blogs that debate intelligently and with politeness important issues. Trolls do not want an truthful exchange of views or a learning experience. IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE

Upfront Yankee you just cant handle that I debate with you that ALL U.S. political parties,,including your beloved ''democrats'' are at the center of the problems in the U.S.

Once again, is not the party that counts, it is the quality of the candidate!

People, dont let Upfront Yankee brainwash your mind that, if you vote democrat, all your problems will be solved. Is a lie!

I exposed his agenda, now is the time for people to be free thinkers, and be heard, even if you dont agree with my opinions is fine. But dont let Upfront Yankee or others insult you like I have been insulted by them for expressing my freedom of speech that is given to us by the 1st Amendment.

Once again, the best government is one that governs the least!

and the only reason they care about this guy is because he was gay.

What about the pregnaunt woman that lost her child when she was shot by a bullet in Sebana Seca massacre!? Where were the Pro Life supporters!?

These are the tough questions that need to be answered, and brought ''upfront'' by true followers of freedom of speech, not ones that Upfront Yankee would like to supress.

Thanks for reading