I read a lot of news. I also pay attention to comments left (where reader commenting is allowed,) but have never gotten used to the level of hate and vitriol directed at the LGBT community, and especially the trans community.
Recent topics which have attracted bigots like flies to stench have been the Lawrence King story, toilets in Montgomery County MD, teaching LGBT fairness and diversity to California school children, and most recently Thomas Beatie the Pregnant Man.
I thought we were the primary recipients for the hateful comments launched from the shadows of the internet.
But in researching a story about someone who works here at Beale Air Force Base who won a discrimination judgment against the Air Force, I was struck at how she was vilified in the comments section using similar language to that used in the anti-gay anti-trans comments in the stories I mentioned previously.
I know the players in this local story. They're guilty as sin, and stupid enough to let the case get away from them (the judgment was a make-it-go-away move on the part of the Air Force.)
Here's the link:
Beale worker gets money in bias lawsuit
March 06, 2008 12:14:00 AM
By Ryan McCarthy/Appeal-Democrat
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.appeal-democrat.com%2Fimages%2Flogo.gif&hash=98cc05ef9a6f8e319d7009a981c585cd995b8958) (http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/lawsuit_61174___article.html/worker_force.html)
=K
There's a lot of that macho attitude in the services. I'm happy Ms. Mertes received compensation for what she suffered. I also hope those who perpetrated these character assassinations will be dealt with.
Gennee