Protests take on teen violence bill that ignores LGBTs

[WillParkinson]

Protests take on teen violence bill that ignores LGBTs

(Columbia, South Carolina) Dozens of gay rights advocates demonstrated at the South Carolina Capitol on Tuesday, protesting against a provision in a teen dating violence bill that specifically excludes same-sex coupled young people.

The provision was added by the state House last week and LGBT groups say it sends a dire message to gay teens.

“The message this sends gay kids is, we’re not worthy, we don’t count - it makes them feel like second-class citizens, and isolated,” said Columbia, S.C. PFLAG founder Harriet Hancock to the Associated Press. “It gives our beautiful state another black eye.”

Some members of the House also criticized the exclusion. Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D) said the intent of the bill was hijacked homophobia.

“South Carolina has reiterated the myths and misconceptions people have about sexual assault,” said Cobb-Hunter, adding that domestic violence has nothing to do with sex or orientation, but control and domination.

http://www.365gay.com/news/protests-take-on-teen-violence-bill-that-ignores-lgbts/