DC Metro Action is a listing of local actions, entertainment, volunteer opportunities and the occasional rant on a wide range of socially just issues.
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Action of the Day Many of these action alerts are found on the listservs and websites of organizations listed in our "Act Locally" section (Left).
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
What Is a Hate Crime?
The Washington Blade has this story on the attack and rape of a lesbian by six men near Logan Circle. Zoe and Joanne both blogged about the incident yesterday, leading to this discussion on identity politics. And DC Indy Media has information on an upcoming protest rally planned by the DC Lesbian Avengers.
The Blade story says several of the men called the woman a "dyke" and a "lesbian" as they assaulted her, but the D.C. police reported the incident as a first-degree sex abuse case, a term used to describe a rape. Why have the police -- or the media -- not yet labeled this a hate crime? Hate crime legislation not only severely punishes offenders, but also goes a long way to clearly demonstrate the public's intolerance for this type of despicable behavior. If raping a woman while shouting "dyke" isn't a hate crime, what is?
DC Metro Action is published by Michael Schlesinger, a 32-year veteran of electoral and issue organizing who is committed to social justice and to increasing participation in the political process.
All original content (C) 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Michael Schlesinger