Anti Gay Tension and HomoPhobia Still Very Present in Puerto Rico
Lopez Mercado was partially burned, decapitated and with both arms and legs dismembered from his torso.
The police investigator suggested that Lopez Mercado deserved what he got because of the “type of lifestyle” he was leading. –
Seriously?? WTF?!
I bet the tourism board loves that!
According to Puerto Rican activists, Puerto Rico has never classified the murder of a gay man as a hate crime.
“Equality Forum calls on US Attorney General Eric Holder to have the FBI investigate,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum. “The Matthew Shepard Amendment empowers and requires the federal government to prosecute this horrific murder.”
Lazin served as a federal prosecutor; received the US Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, the department’s highest annual honor; and was the Chair of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission.
The Matthew Shepard Amendment to the federal hate crimes act includes among other protected categories, sexual orientation. President Obama signed the bill into law on October 28, 2009. The federal hate crimes act enables federal agents to investigate hate crimes, especially where there does not appear that a full and fair investigation will be undertaken.
Puerto Rican gay activist Pedro Julio Serrano stated, “It is inconceivable that the investigating officer suggests that the victim deserved his fate, like a woman deserves rape for wearing a short skirt.”
“Equality Forum joins Puerto Rican activists in condemning the statements of the investigator and calls on Police Superintendent Figueroa Sancha to terminate the officer,” stated Malcolm Lazin. “It is clear that without federal intervention, there can be no fair and complete investigation.”
Several days after the tragedy a suspect was picked up. The man arrested in connection with the murder of gay Puerto Rico teenage Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado will reportedly use the ‘gay panic’ defense. SERIOUSLY? Do you ever hear gay people killing straight people and pleading the straight panic denfense??
A police report said that Juan A Martinez Matos, 26, murdered the 19-year-old after finding out he was a man. Police say Lopez Mercado was picked up in a red light district by Matos while dressed in women’s clothes. ….hmmmm. and that made him so mad, and he freaked out and butchered, set aflame and killed someone? I think he should plead the SNAPPED defense and they need to figure out what pushes someone to hate SO MUCH, that this can happen in this day and age?!
Vigils are being help around the world this week for this tragic loss.
Equality Forum is a national and international GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum coordinates GLBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high impact initiatives and presents annually the largest national and international GLBT civil rights forum.
