How to Kill a Kid

Rob Tisinai

October 4th, 2010

Step 1: Denial

Maggie Gallagher covers her ass on Tyler Clementi’s suicide:

I do not think the absence of gay marriage is the cause of these tragedies or its presence will resolve them. We can make this a symbol of all our other fights, or we can try to save all our kids, gay and straight, from this kind of ugly and mindless cruelty. My heart goes out to the family of the young man. God bless him and them.

Step 2: Degradation

World Net Daily columnist Vox Day:

[Tyler Clementi] killed himself because he could not live with the shame of knowing that everyone would be aware of his submission to what he apparently believed to be evil desires. While giving in to our desire for evil is something that we all do from time to time, it is also true that some desires happen to be more shameful or humiliating than others. For example, a man’s desire for his neighbor’s wife is sinful, but few consider it to be as appalling as his desire for his neighbor’s child.

Step 3: Damnation

An account of Senator Jim DeMint speaking at a Spartanburg church rally:

DeMint said if someone is openly homosexual, they shouldn’t be teaching in the classroom and he holds the same position on an unmarried woman who’s sleeping with her boyfriend — she shouldn’t be in the classroom.

Step 4: Repeat

Here’s what the right-wing Christianist (not Christian) message boils down to:

It’s not our fault that gay kids are killing themselves. They kill themselves because they feel naturally ashamed of their perversion. Also, they’re vile creatures who shouldn’t be around kids.

How angry are you? How much angrier can you get? Double that. Then get angrier.

BlackDog

October 4th, 2010

Given the known immorality of so many politicians in many respects (particularly on the Republican side) if I had kids I think I would rather they have a single unmarried teacher who’s sleeping with her boyfriend (or for that matter, girlfriend) than be around a person like Senator DeMint.

Before they are done with it, the word “Christian” will be an insult and a swear word…but in spite of their bad behavior these people will try to blame the rest of us.

Jake

October 4th, 2010

Maggie Gallagher could NEVER cover her ass, either morally or physically. She’s proudly complicit in creating the gay-hostile environment these poor kids are forced to live in. And now that the bodies are starting to pile up she’s trying to distance herself from the bloodbath she’s created. And she’s doing a sh!t-poor job at it. Maggie and her ilk are vile, reprehensible monsters. If I were gullible enough to be a praying man, I’d request pain and suffering for every gay-hater commensurate with the horror they’ve caused.

Molly

October 4th, 2010

I got into an argument with my father once. He said that gays suffered from higher rates of mental illness, such as depression and suicide, than the general population, which was evidence that homosexuality was in itself a mental illness. Try as I might, I could not make him see that the depression and suicide came from gay kids being told that their parents, communities, and god thought that they were subhuman slime.

The only good that will come from the existence of NOM is that they will reveal their hatred for what it is, helping the rest of society to move toward being a bit more civilised.

Ben in Oakland

October 4th, 2010

Jake– just to be fair to Mags, she didn’t start the bloodbath. That’s been going on for a few thousand years.

she’s just the willing perpetrator.

Emily K

October 4th, 2010

And what exactly is the point of getting angry? It’s not like THEY feel any remorse over this at all. So why waste our energy feeling angrier and angrier. What will come of it? Just anger. It leaves me and possibly others paralyzed to be in such a state.

MJC

October 4th, 2010

It sends a chill down my spine to think that DeMint is making a play to becopme majority leader in the Senate: thus will the “Family” move closer to it’s goal of unlimited power. Senator Palpatine, indeed.

Reading Jeff Sharlet’s “C-Street”.

Equality Revolt

October 4th, 2010

Funny how our PREZ can say, “This is a moment where every one of us – parents, teachers, students, elected officials, and all people of conscience – needs to stand up and speak out against intolerance in all its forms. Whether it’s students harassing other students because of ethnicity, disability or religion; or an adult, public official harassing the President of the University of Michigan student body because he is gay, it is time we as a country said enough. No more. This must stop.”….while simultaneously being PART OF THE PROBLEM.

Until the United States can let go of it’s own INSTITUTIONALIZED “legal” HATRED OF LGBTQ PEOPLE, we are under the helm of a flaccidly fierce leader.

Pender

October 4th, 2010

I can’t get any angrier than I already am. When I try, the excess just spills over into cynicism.

:(

These bigots are almost enough to make me wish hell existed.

Stefan

October 4th, 2010

I’m starting to think more and more that it won’t hurt our side to get violent. It’s not like much of the general public actually follows these groups, and the ones who would bash us for it are those who area already against us. Remember too that the Carrie Prejean incident was a public event, so it’s different.

Steve

October 4th, 2010

As long as the message is:
Suicide is a tragedy and should never be the solution for your problems
but…..
you are an evil young person, a degenerate, a sinner, a disgrace, and should be ashamed to feel the way you do.
No hope will ever be forthcoming.

Timothy Kincaid

October 4th, 2010

stefan,

At BTB we DO NOT advocate for violence.

Rob Tisinai

October 4th, 2010

I agree Timothy. The wonderful Sean Chapin posted this comment over on my blog (where I cross-posted this article):

Here’s a vehicle for everyone to do something with their anger:

Make It Better Week Of Action:
http://equalityevents.ning.com/

– Attend or organize an event in your area to stand up for safer schools.
– Call Congress to pass safe schools legislation on Oct 11, National Coming Out Day.

More on Make It Better Project here:
http://www.makeitbetterproject.com

Everett

October 4th, 2010

This really isn’t anything new that we are hearing from anti-gay folks. Some have always asserted that it isn’t homophobia that contributes to glbt folks committing suicide, but rather the condition of the glbt “lifestyle” itself. And then, of course, there are those few who try to deny that anti-gay rhetoric in the political and social arena does not affect the psyches of glbt people. Maybe one day these people will wake up and realize that words (when repeated constantly) do impact people.

BlackDog

October 4th, 2010

Oh, I think they know that already. They know exactly what they’re doing, and the only reason they ever even try to cover their asses is because, like most bigots, they realize their behavior is not acceptable to the majority of people.

Seamus Ruah

October 4th, 2010

Vox Day, the man who said that only fear of God keeps him from going on a rape/killing spree.

Can we (as a species) shun this Ftard already?

Eshto

October 4th, 2010

All CHRISTIANS who do not support gay equality are complicit in these suicides, albeit to varying degrees.

Everett

October 4th, 2010

Stefan, on a side note to your comment…

I’ve always wondered if the rights of black people would have occurred in the 1960s if it wasn’t for the violence and the riots that got white people’s (and Pres. Kennedy’s) attention.

I’m NOT advocating violence, but maybe part of the reason we GLBT folks do not have our rights even with greater understanding from a growing number of hetersexuals is because we have chosen the law-abiding, civil way to seek our civil rights.

Just some food for thought…

Bernie

October 4th, 2010

Everett,

Please, perish the thought. That would be all the bigots need.

BTW, Timothy, I went to Vox’s column….Sweet Jesus in Heaven! Those people are anything but Christian at World Net Daily. The comments and the disciples of this guy(Vox) exuded nothing but the most putrid pride and hate.

All I can do is pray for those people.

JCF

October 4th, 2010

These bigots are almost enough to make me wish hell existed.

Word.

But… Purgatory—for a HELL of a long time! [Their purgatory will be as cage-dancers for all the gay bachelor/bachelorette parties (prior to the Gayest Weddings) in Heaven!]

JCF

October 4th, 2010

All CHRISTIANS who do not support gay equality are complicit in these suicides, albeit to varying degrees.

Agreed, Eshto (along w/ gay-equality deniers of every/no faith!).

Thank God, more and MORE Christians support LGBT equality every day!

Bernie

October 4th, 2010

I was born Gay, and I believe I was born with Christ in my heart as well.

That’s what I always say to them….it’s fun to watch their eyes twitter and blink at the comprehension of this. It is completely out of their box. They can’t handle anything that doesn’t end in “Amen, brother.” They don’t pray to a magnificent, infinite Christ as I do. They pray to the Bible instead. The religion of Christianity is their God.

Shannon Drury

October 5th, 2010

I always said that “family values” to these creeps means MY family is valued, not yours. My heart breaks for these kids and their families, but I suspect Everett may be on to something….people are realizing that bigotry has a body count. May these losses not be in vain.

Publius

October 5th, 2010

Jim (Burroway), I love the graphic in this article. Can I post it on my blog, with proper attribution, of course?

Rob Tisinai

October 5th, 2010

Hey Publius, I’m the author of the article and creator of the graphic. You’re welcome to post it on your blog (with attribution, of course).

Jim Burroway

October 5th, 2010

Yeah, Rob is the terrific graphics guy. I’m just the misspelled werd guy.

Amii

October 5th, 2010

Emily K – If anger renders you useless, then by all means refrain. For many, and indeed for movements of social justice, anger is a vital ingredient. It moves people to action. And that is the point.

Empress Divine

October 5th, 2010

if Jesus Christ came back today, He would be disappointment at some Christians. He preached love, and unless u can love another human regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation, then you have no business preaching the gospel of christ. I am straight but I am in support of equal rights and justice for LGBTs.

Lauren--NY

October 5th, 2010

Great work, as usual, Rob. Passing it on.

Leave A Comment

All comments reflect the opinions of commenters only. They are not necessarily those of anyone associated with Box Turtle Bulletin. Comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

(Required)
(Required, never shared)

PLEASE NOTE: All comments are subject to our Comments Policy.

 

Latest Posts

The Things You Learn from the Internet

"The Intel On This Wasn't 100 Percent"

From Fake News To Real Bullets: This Is The New Normal

NC Gov McCrory Throws In The Towel

Colorado Store Manager Verbally Attacks "Faggot That Voted For Hillary" In Front of 4-Year-Old Son

Associated Press Updates "Alt-Right" Usage Guide

A Challenge for Blue Bubble Democrats

Baptist Churches in Dallas, Austin Expelled Over LGBT-Affirming Stance

Featured Reports

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.

Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate

When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.

Paul Cameron’s World

In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.

From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”

On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.

Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"

The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths

At last, the truth can now be told.

Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!

And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.

Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?

Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.

Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples

Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.

The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing

Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.

Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count

Daniel FettyThe FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.