This post was submitted by Zack Rosen

Following last week’s horrific murder on Tyli’a “Nana Boo Mack,” a trans woman murdered in broad daylight on Q street, the following question has been foremost in my mind:

What do you think would be the most effective step towards preventing and decreasing hate crimes?

There is not necessarily a right answer to this, but clearly a good portion of this country thinks that we are deserving of such violence.

As usual, feel free to leave your own answers in the comment box. (Also, TNG does not necessarily endorse the opinions of all its staff writers.)

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1. Zack, Editor-in-Chief:

I think the best way we can reach people is through the mediums of government and mass culture. People might always hate us and fear us, but at least they can be told that they must, by law or popular opinion, respect us in word and deed. The government should actively announce that we are equal citizens and that violence against us will not be tolerated, even if they cannot yet pass the laws to back them up. In TV and music, gay people should be visible and be portrayed as actual characters, not sidekicks, stereotypes or punchlines. I think that a person like Ellen probably does more for us in a day, by bringing gay into America’s living room, then some politicians have done in their entire lives. 

2. Michael, Co-founder and primary contributor:

Education. These attacks are based on fear of the unknown, and people can get violent when they feel themselves threatened by an unknown, especially sexually. Every queer person needs to come out and make their differences known to those around them. Schools need to do a better job of educating students about the presence and right-to-life of sexual minorities. The government should begin to give us full rights so that others don’t perceive queers as less than human and/or less than citizens.

3. Matt, Staff Contributor:

I think musicals hold the key. From South Pacific:

“You’ve got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff’rent shade,
You’ve got to be carefully taught.

You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You’ve got to be carefully taught!”

Education, Education, Education. And at a young age.

5. Rocky, Managing Editor:

I honestly don’t know. How do you break down centuries of systemic hatred and fear? I feel like there are crazy people in the world who are determined to be ignorant and hateful no matter what you do. But they say that hate is born from a fear of the unknown, so I would imagine the answer lies in visibility. Folks need to gather up the courage to come out and then we all need to just live our normal lives, working, living, loving, etc. It’s easy to be frightened of “the other,” but once it becomes apparent that “others” are pretty much the same as you only with a few minor differences that have nothing to do with you, then for most sane, rational folks the fear dissipates.

The problem, of course, is that we’re not dealing with sane, rational people here…

6. Jean, Staff Contributor:

Be visible. Be more visible everyday. Support coming out programs, volunteer with GSAs, encourage our friends and family to join groups like PLFAG. The more normalized LGBTQ issues become the less fear there will be. There will always be hateful people, and there will always be bigots, but the smaller their numbers get the less power they have.

7. Levi, Staff Contributor:

Fight back, protect our own. The police and government are never going to protect us the way we need to be.

8. Rohan, Staff Contributor:

Ok I am gonna speak up and take an unpopular stand. Was last week’s murder a “hate crime”? Can we just jump to conclusions because the victims were trans? I’m not trying to start shit, but I think people just get too worked up and offended. I guess I watch too many CSI shows to know that motive matters, and DC crime is pretty wretched. Shit, 4 people were shot literally a block away from my house Monday. There were no witnesses, and the attack could have been random. We can be as idealistic as we want, but hate will still exist.

What you as a person can do is (like the Black Flag song) Rise Above. If some Point Break looking motherfucker calls you a “faggot” while speeding in their jeep, pass it off. Now when it comes to violence, remember if you are being mugged, just give your shit up. If you fear for your life, stay away from Middle America. Don’t make yourself a target. I know that sounds like bullshit, but really, if you live in a “bad” neighborhood you do it instinctively (or I’d hope you do).

Education can only go so far… case in point DC Public Schools. If the kid doesn’t give a fuck, the kid is never gonna learn. Acceptance would be a great thing, but I’ll leave my fighting for someone more in tune.

Editorial Staff:

9. Hans B, Editorial Assistant:

You’ll never be able to reach some people, and unfortunately just about anyone who would have the sociopathic disposition required to commit such an act probably falls into that category. What we can do, though, it try to turn the tide of public sentiment even more strongly against them. We need to get to a point where these sorts of crimes do not only cause revulsion and anger in the gay community, but in all communities, and the only way to get there is through open and honest dialogue with people in all walks of life. Misconception and prejudice are made to be overcome, but they will only be overcome with open engagement with people outside of the gay universe. Everyone, go make friends with a straight person. They’re not half bad, I promise.TNG

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