Indiana is one of only a hand full of states in the country without some form of hate crime statute. Hate crime statute would provide enhanced sentencing for offenders who commit crimes because of a bias the person has towards the victim, such as race, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.
The absence of such laws put Hoosiers at risk. Nearly a year ago, Aaron Hall was murdered in rural Indiana because someone believed he was gay. In what some believe to be comparable to Matthew Shepard, it was one of the most gruesome murders based on sexual orientation. Although Aaron Hall was not gay, his attackers believed his was and that they were doing the world justice by disposing of someone who had less worth than their own.
Hate Crime legislation has been suggested in Indiana but nothing has made a serious advance toward making a real difference. Every time a bill is proposed, the Christian Right spreads lies that put Hoosiers into a panic for what could "hurt" the heterosexual majority. Instead of helping protect minorities the Right feel as if their way of life will be threatened by properly prosecuting those who break the law.
I bring this up because nearly two weeks ago I, along with a handful of others, was attacked in Muncie, Indiana based on sexual orientation. Within walking distance from Ball State University, two college-aged students attacked two students and I in what can only describe as a hate crime.
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