INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES
Stuart Walker Killed in Cumnock, Scotland: What Really Happened That Night?
10/25/2011 10:44 PM HKT
http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/237247/20111025/stuart-walker-cumnock.htm (http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/237247/20111025/stuart-walker-cumnock.htm)
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Still, The Guardian
Walker, 28, was found dead in Cumnock, Scotland this week, the victim of what looks to be another gay hate crime.
Sometime very early Saturday morning, openly-gay bartender Stuart Walker of Cumnock, Scotland was beaten and then burned alive, by someone.
Currently, that is all the information that police have about Walker's murder. He was found by a citizen of the county Ayrshire at 5 a.m. on Oct. 22, in an industrial park on the outskirts of town. Police weren't even able to identify the body until Walker's family reported him missing after he missed his grandmother's birthday party and failed to show up for work.
"Too many people in Scotland experience hate crimes – and many don't report it, because they think it won't make a difference or because it happens on such a regular basis. A quarter told us they accept the abuse and the attacks as part of being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in Scotland."
This is a tragic case, made all the worse by the horrific way this young man died.
But this report is so sensationalist, and blaintently dishonest, that it discredits the entire publication.
Business papers do make mistakes, but these are no mistakes. Initially, it is reported, rightly, that this man was openly gay. Later, in the final paragraph, it is claimed
QuoteStuart Walker might not have been killed because he was gay. His murderers could have had no idea that he was.
Another claim:
QuoteIn March, 2010, a survey published by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender support group Stonewall Scotland revealed that two-thirds of homosexuals in Scotland have been the victim of anti-gay verbal abuse, and one third have been the victims of hate crimes and physical attacks. Many said that that was "just part of life" in Scotland.
Realities.100% 0f people, who are part of any minority, be it sexual orientation, religion, race, physical condition, even personaly interests, have been subject to verbal abuse. That's life.
It is probably true that 1/3 of gay people in Scotland have been subject to hate crimes. (Which is a vast improvement from when I was living there). That could be said about any part of the world. Unacceptable, but sadly, that's life. Feminista groups are currently claiming that 2/3 of women have been raped. Nothing like milking the figures.
Quote from: spacial on October 27, 2011, 07:02:03 AM
Realities.100% 0f people, who are part of any minority, be it sexual orientation, religion, race, physical condition, even personaly interests, have been subject to verbal abuse. That's life.
But it doesn't have to be. And only by joining together and making a stand against this fact of life can we make that change.
Quote from: Julie Marie on October 27, 2011, 07:54:46 AM
But it doesn't have to be. And only by joining together and making a stand against this fact of life can we make that change.
I'm not so sure. But it is good that those that can can join with others.
What I take issue with here though is the way words and truth have been manipulated to suggest something that is probably not the case at all.
Crimes happen. They shouldn't but they are a reality. They have always been a reality and always will be. It will be a real shame if not an utter disgrace, if LGBT starts playing professional victim. We have enough of those already. Professional victims don't protect anyone. They just mean a small minority can become personally very powerful while the majority stand out like a sore thumb.
What is much more likely, especially given the very personal nature of the crime and the location, is that the victim was killed by someone they knew.
In any case, the evidence hasn't been fully released or uncovered yet. The report is specualtion. It is the speculation that I take strong objection to.
I've been on this earth for 60 years and I've seen a lot of things change by people banding together to make that change.
Sure, you will never wipe out crime but that doesn't mean you have to accept it. And with this killing, there's speculation it was related to Walker's sexual orientation. That CAN be changed. It has already seen a lot of change and that started when people who fed up stood up and protested. History tells us when people stick together and fight for what's right, they always gain.
Hopefully, soon Julie Marie.
But with respect, my issue was with the way this otherwise respectable journal has distorted the issues.