Just found this one in the Guardian. I hear so much homophobia coming from people in their 20s these days that it saddens me to think that something like this can still happen. My professional life has led me to have a lot of gay friends, and it worries me that society seems to be moving backwards on this issue--or it may be that homophobia is less frowned upon here in Canada, I'm not in a position to tell.
Barman killer had been released early
Friday June 16, 2006
Guardian Unlimited
One of two men jailed for life for the murder of a barman in an attack motivated by "homophobic thuggery" had been released from prison early, police said today.
Scott Walker and Thomas Pickford punched, kicked and stamped on Jody Dobrowski "as if trying to kill an animal" while walking back to a hostel for released offenders.
Unemployed Pickford, 25, and 33-year-old decorator Walker, both of no fixed address, were told by an Old Bailey judge they would serve a minimum of 28 years after admitting to killing Mr Dobrowski on Clapham Common, in south London, last October.
It is understood to be the first time that a judge has been able to use an anti-gay motive as an aggravating feature to help decide the sentence.
The court heard that, in January last year, Walker had been jailed for 15 months for assaulting his mother, making threats to kill and criminal damage. Scotland Yard confirmed Walker had been released early from prison last June, and had been on licence until the day before he killed Mr Dobrowski.
Mr Dobrowski, 24, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, suffered dozens of wounds when he was attacked as he crossed a gay cruising area on the common.
The Common Serjeant of London, Judge Brian Barker, said it was likely that Walker and Pickford would serve longer than the 28 years he had fixed as a minimum before they could be considered for parole.
He said the pair had only one intention when they went to the wooded area on Clapham Common on October 14 last year - "homophobic thuggery".
"It was Jody's tragic misfortune to cross your path," he said. "You subjected him to mindless abuse and showed him no mercy. In those few seconds, you took from him the most precious possessions - his life and future."
Walker and Pickford had been returning to a charity-run hostel for released offenders after a night of drinking in Lavender Hill and decided to cross the common.
The pair encountered Mr Dobrowski and, following a brief exchange of words, Pickford threw punches at him. Walker joined in the assault, and Mr Dobrowski's head, neck and body were punched, kicked and stamped on.
Witnesses saw and heard the sustained assault, and one who tried to intervene was warned off by Walker and Pickford.
One of the attackers said: "We don't like poofters here, and that's why we can kill him if we want." The witness, who was threatened with similar treatment, called the police.
Officers arrived in the area and were guided to the scene. They described Mr Dobrowski's face as "a bloody, swollen pulp".
Nicholas Hilliard, prosecuting, said the "gentle, loveable and well-liked" barman's family had only one question of the two men - why did they take his life? "The answer is because he was gay," he said.
Both Walker and Pickford had been involved in an assault on another man in the area two weeks earlier.
Mr Dobrowski, an assistant bar manager at Bar Risa Jongleurs, in Camden, north London, was alive when police discovered him. He died in hospital from severe head, neck and facial injuries.
In court today, the judge told the attackers: "I am quite satisfied that aggression was uppermost in your minds.
"It was a premeditated attack on a gay man. As it continued and increased in ferocity, there was an intention to kill. He suffered considerably before his death." The killers had damaged the lives of those who loved Mr Dobrowski, said the judge.
Outside the court, the victim's mother, Sheri, described his death as "an outrage".
"It was a political act. It was an act of terrorism," she said. "Jody was not the first man to be killed, or terrorised, or beaten or humiliated for being homosexual, or for being perceived to be homosexual.
"Tragically, he will not be the last man to suffer the consequences of homophobia which is endemic in this society. This is unacceptable. We cannot accept this. No intelligent, healthy or reasonable society could.
"We would like to pay tribute to Jody Dobrowski for his strength in the face of cowardice. For struggling to become who he was - an intelligent, funny, hardworking and beautiful man, whose life was brutally and mercilessly punched and kicked from him."
Jaswant Narwal, the district crown prosecutor at the Old Bailey trials unit, said afterwards: "We believe this is the first instance where the judge has been able to use motivation based on sexual orientation as an aggravating feature when sentencing for murder."
Stonewall, the gay equality organisation, welcomed the sentence.
"These sentences properly reflect that this was an appalling crime," said its chief executive, Ben Summerskill. "It's absolutely right that murder motivated by hatred of minority communities should be treated with this sort of severity."
Mr Dobrowski was beaten so badly that a pathologist was unable to say how many times he had been hit. The pathologist identified 33 areas of injury to his head, face, ears and neck.
He suffered a swollen brain, a broken nose and extensive bruising to his neck, spine and groin.
The pathologist concluded that Mr Dobrowski's death was a result of the combination of the brain injury, extensive bleeding, the inhalation of blood and a severe crushing injury to the larynx.
His family could not identify his body because of the severity of his injuries, and identification was made through fingerprint comparison.
After the attack, the killers returned to their hostel where Pickford, who punched his victim so hard that he cracked bones in his hands, told fellow resident Kevin Hanlon: "I've just kicked the crap out of someone. I feel great."
After the attack, Walker was seen to be constantly checking Teletext for news of the murder. A week later, hostel staff contacted police, and he was arrested.
Pickford, who had been asked to leave the hostel a few days earlier after admitting taking heroin, was arrested in Croydon.
In a police interview, he admitted starting the assault on Mr Dobrowski, claiming he did so to impress Walker. He claimed he was too frightened of Walker to stop him continuing the attack. "I just wanted to look like a hard man," he told officers.
Walker refused to comment during interview.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Scola, who led the investigation into the murder, said: "Jody Dobrowski was beaten to death for no reason other than he was gay.
"I hope today's sentences will send out a strong message that crimes such as these will be dealt with robustly by the courts and will always be vigorously investigated by police.
"We can be grateful that neither Pickford nor Walker will be able to pose a threat to anybody else for a long time."
In January 2005, Walker was jailed for 15 months after he pushed his mother against a door, punched her and bit her on the nose three months earlier. He kicked her while she was on the ground and then put his hands around her neck on a sofa.
Pickford has previous convictions for burglary in the late 1990s.
I agree, Dissident, this is terribly sad. It seems hatred is so much easier for a lot of people than acceptance for what others are. Sometimes the world can be a very sickening place...........but then there are the good people that make it all worthwhile.
That is sad news. I doubt ppl will change..... at least, I don't see changes not until a long time. Generally speaking, I feel most Vancouverites are more tolerant than most ppl which makes this city fantabulous to live in.
I'm not gay but I support gay rights and the midwest in perticular is so goofy its not even funny. Gay bashing and crimes against gays are common place. I have a person on my rowing team thats gay works for Boeing. And you wouldn't believe the looks my team gets. Personally I don't know how people can put up with that kind of bigotry. I'd probly go insane and attack somebody.
Sportsdude wrote:
I'm not gay but I support gay rights and the midwest in perticular is so goofy its not even funny. Gay bashing and crimes against gays are common place. I have a person on my rowing team thats gay works for Boeing. And you wouldn't believe the looks my team gets. Personally I don't know how people can put up with that kind of bigotry. [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00"]I'd probly go insane and attack somebody.[/FONT]
Oh no, SD. Don't go there. Violence only begets violence. Sometimes it is better to turn the other cheek and do something more positive, like educated ppl. Not worth the effort and negative emotion.
Landmark event with regards to gay issues in the school curriculum as of today:
[DIV class=clear] [/DIV][!-- Column 01 end --][!-- Column 02 start --] [DIV class=col02] [DIV id=Story2] [DIV class=wrapper01] [DIV id=Story2][!-- CACHE MISS: story|223d5fea-2e50-4b1d-9678-f37850ca50cb||True|newspaper||/shareit/soundoff/post.html|/shareit/soundoff/view.html|True|vancouversun|False|1 --] [DIV class=wrapper01] [DIV class=header] [H2]Gay guarantee for provincial curriculum[/H2] [H4]Contract assures same-sex couple will have unprecedented influence over B.C. curriculum[/H4][/DIV][/DIV][/DIV][/DIV][/DIV][/DIV]
[DIV class=feed_details] [H4]Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver sun[/H4]Published: Friday, June 16, 2006 [/DIV]
[DIV class=para12 id=article] British Columbia is giving a same-sex couple an unprecedented role in a review of the provincial curriculum to ensure respectful teachings about sexual orientation from kindergarten to Grade 12.
A six-page contract, signed by the Education Ministry and obtained by The Vancouver Sun, guarantees Peter and Murray Corren a significant voice in the revision of classroom lessons to recognize gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and the creation of a new social-justice course -- to include teachings about sexual orientation -- for Grade 12 students.
The parties have agreed to seek mediation in the event of a dispute and have acknowledged the contract is legally binding.
Many educators welcomed the agreement, saying it will make B.C. a North American leader in teaching respect for diversity. But most admitted they don't know what the changes might look like in practice.
Independent schools that receive government funding insisted they wouldn't be affected by the deal, even though they are required by law to teach the same curriculum as public schools.
"As far as we're concerned, this agreement applies to public schools only," said Doug Lauson, head of the Federation of Independent School Associations and associate superintendent of Catholic schools in Vancouver.
The ministry would not confirm that directly. Spokeswoman Corinna Filion said in an e-mail Thursday the ministry can't speculate on what curriculum revisions will result, but added "it's not anticipated that any change would impact the ability of an independent school to continue teaching courses from a faith-based perspective."
Most independent schools in B.C. are faith-based.
Attorney-General Wally Oppal played down the changes in announcing them earlier this month, saying it was "a classic case of much ado about little or nothing." The government's news release at the time focused on the new social justice course, which will be an elective available for interested schools but won't be required learning.
He did not release the contract and the Correns said at the time it was intended to be confidential.
This week, Murray Corren said the anticipated changes to the curriculum, along with tougher limits on parental rights to remove their children from classes teaching "sensitive content," are far more important than the new elective course.
He said the deal was a major victory after a lengthy human-rights battle to have gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people reflected in the everyday curriculum.
"It's very significant," Murray Corren, a Coquitlam literacy teacher, said of the agreement. "We wouldn't have worked for 10 years to sell out for something as minor as just a simple elective course. But when the ministry came to us with this proposal ... we were more than happy to reach a settlement with them."
The Correns, who were among the first same-sex couples to be wed in B.C., agreed as part of the deal to drop their human-rights complaint, which had been headed for a lengthy hearing this summer before the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
[FONT size=1]Source: [/FONT][A href="http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=223d5fea-2e50-4b1d-9678-f37850ca50cb&k=69470"][FONT size=1]http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=223d5fea-2e50-4b1d-9678-f37850ca50cb&k=69470[/FONT][/A]
[/DIV]
I'm just saying I don't know how gay people can put up with it. A senator from Oklahoma got elected because he wanted to purge all the lesbian teachers out of the schools. What kind of rational person is that? Putting hate and bigotry into the constitution? What is this the modern day Jim Crow laws? If some goofy lawmakers down here had there way they would do straight only places like before the civil rights era.
I'm saying if I was in there situation I'd pop off because well I've been made fun of because I grew up in 'nicer' part of town and people stereotyped me and picked on me and I end up hitting one idiot over the head with a golf club.
When I get persecuted I end up going vigilante on people but that was when I was on differnt meds doctor had me on like 500 mil of Concerta (Ritalin)
It's hard for gay ppl. I mean... I dunno, I'm not a homosexual nor do I believe in the practise. I do, however, respect their views and they are ppl afterall. I also know that being violent isn't the right thing to do. (maybe I'm being naive here)
At any rate, with any sort of change, it'll take time. Be patient, the more you educate ppl, the more you will see change happening.
History has taught us that putting bigotry in the constitution is a hard thing to break. It took over 100 years in america to finally end Jim Crow laws and still some towns are segregated.
I
Sportsdude wrote:
... I'd probly go insane and attack somebody.
There's something ironic about this, but I just can't put my finger on it...
Sportsdude wrote:
A senator from Oklahoma got elected because he wanted to purge all the lesbian teachers out of the schools.
Well, yeah, everyone knows that lesbians are bad because, umm, because they uh, BECAUSE THEY SUPPORT TERRORISTS! That's it! So if you don't hate lesbians you're in league with terrorists! Everyone knows that, it's a fact! If you disagree then that means you hate America!
Oooh, wait- I think I was channeling Rush Limbaugh there for a minute. Never mind.
TehBorken wrote:
Sportsdude wrote:
[SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic"]... I'd probly go insane and attack somebody.[/SPAN]
[/DIV]There's something ironic about this, but I just can't put my finger on it...
Let me guess??? Does this have to do with me and the gun issue? If it does oh well I've already explained above why I had breakdowns/threw people into lockers/got suspended for a week/didn't expel me because they keep trying to hire my dad/said it was good for me to stand up for myself in the above statement about anti depressant medication. Now I've lost all agression which kinda sucks because now I don't have that fire under my belly that I use to rely on to get things done. Basically for about 7 years I got things done out of spite and anger. Not a way to go in my opinion.
Sportsdude wrote:
TehBorken wrote:
Sportsdude wrote:
... I'd probly go insane and attack somebody.
[/div][em]There's something ironic about this, but I just can't put my finger on it...
[/em]
[div]Let me guess??? Does this have to do with me and the gun issue?
No, no that's not what I meant at all, lol. No, I was thinking that it was funny that you were so upset with people committing violence that you would go out and attack somebody.
Maybe I'm just too drunk and worn out right now, lol.
Now that you mention it, though, it's probably a good thing that a dangerous maniac like you doesn't own a bunch of guns, lol. (I'm kidding, okay? Relax- you're welcome to your opinion whether I agree with it or not.)
Oh well its just my personal make up. Always have felt I was a sheep among wolves so I have this survival instinct in me that isn't always the greatest.
Lise wrote:
That is sad news. I doubt ppl will change..... at least, I don't see changes not until a long time. Generally speaking, I feel most Vancouverites are more tolerant than most ppl which makes this city fantabulous to live in.
Do you really think so, Lise? Are you and I meeting the same Vancouverites? The first year I lived here I was working a job where I had a lot of contact with college-aged kids--mostly male. It was a job I had done in a small city in the States before I moved here, so I had been around that population South of the 49 as well. I was patently shocked by the blatant homophobia the kids in Vancouver were perfectly comfortable expressing--even around adults in positions of authority! I mean, some of the things they said, even if they weren't targeted at a particular person in their environment, would have gotten them fired in places I worked in the US. Gay neighbours of mine here hang rainbow flags on their living room walls, but not in their windows or on their balconies, because they're "afraid of being shot at", as they put it.
Mind you, I'll admit that I've lived in primarily liberal places before I moved here. But Vancouver prides itself on its liberalism and its gay-friendly laws. I sure don't see that reflected in the real world here--unless your definition of "Vancouver" only encompasses the West End and parts of Kitsilano.
Dissident wrote: Gay neighbours of mine here hang rainbow flags on their living room walls, but not in their windows or on their balconies, because they're "afraid of being shot at", as they put it.
The story you posted is heart wrenching.
But if I may twist this topic a bit......I have to say, although I have ZERO problem with homosexuality, I've never understood the need to 'celebrate' my sexuality with parades, banners and flags. To hang a flag on my balcony to announce what I'm doing in the bedroom is ludicrous to me. This is contradictory to the live and let live philosophy.....it's seems more of an 'In your FACE' action that does nothing to serve their right to live harmoniously in society.
The whole 'Gay Pride' thing is annoying to me....pride should come from how you live in society....are you thoughtful, kind, helpful, ambitious, compassionate, hard working etc ? These are the qualities one could feel proud of.....not from something that is merely a 'genetic difference'. Spending more time becoming a great human being would be be far more beneficial than 'challenging' (demanding) that the world accept you on nothing more than being gay. I've never had a sense of pride derived from being nothing more than heterosexual.....what a strange expectation.
I wonder if I'm alone with this thought.
You're not. In fact I very often wonder if the whole Gay Pride thing isn't counter-productive.
Thanks Gophie. [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/c015.gif" border=0]
I agree. As gopher said, no, you're not.
You have my vote too, P.C. I think it started as a pendulum swing from the bad old repressive and hostile attitudes toward homosexuality, but the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction. The day it is taken for granted without any fanfare is the best signpost of all that we are created equal.
Dissident wrote:
Just found this one in the Guardian. I hear so much homophobia coming from people in their 20s these days that it saddens me to think that something like this can still happen. My professional life has led me to have a lot of gay friends, and it worries me that society seems to be moving backwards on this issue--or it may be that homophobia is less frowned upon here in Canada, I'm not in a position to tell.
[FONT color=#000000][SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"]Barman killer had been released early[/SPAN][BR style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"]Friday June 16, 2006
Guardian Unlimited
One of two men jailed for life for the murder of a barman in an attack motivated by "homophobic thuggery" had been released from prison early, police said today.[/FONT]
> snip
[FONT color=#0000bf]It is sad, but it is not surprising. Backwards governments such as that of dictator George W. Bush and Adolph Hitler and medieval European societies before that have, one way or another, criminalized homosexuality. Bush's government is even striving to engrave bigotry against gays and lesbians into America's very constitution, stating that they can't legally be married. Mentally deficient and philosophically retrograde people still use homophobic taunts as put-downs. I almost feel like a minority as a straight male involved in the entertainment industry, in which a disproportionate number of society's most talented and creative people are homosexual, many of whom I count as friends. [/FONT]
[FONT color=#0000bf]Deliberately harming others is a moral crime. Homosexuality isn't.[/FONT]
Well I'm not suprised as I said before, the religious right here supports bombing abortion clincs.
Kitten wrote: The day it is taken for granted without any fanfare is the best signpost of all that we are created equal.
Well said, Kitten.
accidents happen, . well for those bastards i pray they meet one horrific accident . namely a fall from about 10000 feet up with out a chute .... damn courts are way to lax.