Hate Acts Against O.C. Gays Up Again

[Quetzal]

Hate Acts Against O.C. Gays Up Again

Complaints of harassment and bigotry against gays and lesbians in Orange County rose in 2004, continuing a trend that began in 2000, according to a report released Thursday by the county's Human Relations Commission.

The agency said there were 152 alleged hate crimes and non-prosecutable "incidents" last year targeting all groups, compared with 128 in 2003. African Americans and Jews are most often the targets.

Rusty Kennedy, the commission's executive director, said 15 hate crimes were reported against gays and lesbians last year, along with six incidents not considered criminal activity. In 2003, there were 11 crimes and four incidents.

"We think the increase is connected to the same-sex-marriage controversy," Kennedy said. Perpetrators "are emboldened by the public debate and hostile language often used in the discussions."

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Hate Acts Against O.C. Gays Up Again

[Name removed]

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[DrCorday]

2. Freakin Orange County.

It's like the armpit of California, or something. I swear. Maybe second to Fresno. Either way, this is disgusting.

Kennedy does have a good point about the way the constant hate rhetoric of the radical right is leading to a national culture of intolerance. I never thought of that, but it's kinda sick how the pundits and Limbaughs are creating this wave of hatred that's actually having an impact on people.