Nationwide vigils held for gay teen found dead in Puerto Rico

[Barack_America]

Vigil tonight in Philadelphia for teen found dead in Puerto Rico

A vigil will be held tonight in Philadelphia for Jorge Lopez Mercado, 19, who was found dead on the roadside in his hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico on Nov. 14.

Mercado was found partially burned, decapitated and with arms and legs dismembered, according to Equality Forum, a national and international gay rights group. His death is being described as a hate crime by gay rights groups.

Vigils are being held around the country.

<snip>

"We must stop the homophobic slaughter," said Malcolm Lazin, executive director of Equality Forum which promotes civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender....

More:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/news_breaking/20091120_Vigil_tonight_in_Philadelphia_for_teen_found_dead_in_Puerto_Rico.html

Also:
Suspect in killing may claim 'gay panic'

If anyone would join me tonight in remembering Jorge Lopez Mercado and the brutal fashion in which his life was so pointlessly taken, I'd be glad to have your company.

[njlib]

1. As the mother of a gay son

who just walked out the door a few minutes ago to hang out with friends on a Friday night, this is my biggest fear. He's 19 and I'm always telling him to be careful, always stick to hanging out with your group, never go off alone with anyone you don't know, etc.

Thinking how this poor kid suffered, much like Matthew Shephard must've suffered, is just heartbreaking.

[Barack_America]

2. I have never lit a candle in remembrance of someone I've never met.

I've got one burning now.

This crime is so shocking and heartbreaking that I simply cannot find the words.

I pray for your son that he heeds your wise advice and I mourn the fact he has to.

[njlib]

4. Thank you

I tell him all the time how ignorant and vicious people can be and that he has to be extra careful because I don't want him winding up tortured, beaten, or killed. He's a big kid, 6' tall, about 220 lbs., but that doesn't matter when you're up against a group of sadists and we all know it's NEVER a fair fight. It's always a pack of cowards picking on one or two people.

[imdjh]

3. IF it makes you feel any better, younger guys are shocked and a little turned off by the stupid ...

.... my age group did. We were inexplicably fearless. Stupidly fearless in the late 1970's, we thought that because we were the sharpest and hippest people alive in the hottest time in the history of the world, that haters and bashers were simply drying up and blowing away. I used to go hunting in redneck bars, because I liked the challenge. How I didn't end up face down in a ditch is just dumb luck. Getting in cars or spending the night with total strangers, having total strangers spend the night in your house. Younger people, just don't do that anymore and for good reason.

[njlib]

5. That is reassuring to hear, thank you.

He's such a good kid and went through absolute hell in 5th & 6th grade. He was verbally & physically abused by some of his classmates, ate lunch by himself in the cafeteria every day, and would sometimes burst into tears when I'd pick him up after work and say "All I want is one friend. Why can't I just have one friend?" I'm crying now just thinking about those times. Junior high and high school were the total opposite, but I think those two horrible years are with him because he's never been as confident and outgoing as he was before then. My fear is that there's still a part of him that's looking to be accepted, looking to make friends, and that's what could end up leading to a bad situation.

[imdjh]

6. If I had a gay son, I think my major advice would be this:

Choose your friends wisely. Having high standards isn't something to be ashamed of, even if people try to put you down or accuse you of being a snob. You aren't being a snob, you are being selective and for good reason: friends are by definition people you can trust AND whom you would vouch for.

Make your priority self-improvement and success. You might feel like you are going to miss out on some social life, but trust me you won't miss a thing. It will all be waiting for you when you have time for it, and it will be more fun if you are financially secure, emotionally and physically healthy, and in possession of the maturity that only comes with age and experience.

The reason I say, "If I had a _gay_ son" instead of simply "If I had a son..." is because being gay is against the rules, and when your very self is against the rules, sometimes you come to believe that none of the rules apply to you.

[njlib]

7. Luckily, he does hang out with nice kids

and so far, has managed to stay out of the "normal" teen trouble. He's a full-time performing arts student and works part-time at a grocery store, which doesn't really leave much time for trouble, I guess!

I just wish society was different...it's tough enough worrying about the normal teen troubles (drinking, drugs, car accidents, etc.) but it's even tougher when you have to worry about your kid getting attacked for who he is.

[myrna minx]

8. Thank you so much for promoting this vigil and memorializing Jorge.

Almost everyone that I love dearly is either gay, lesbian as well as my one trans friend so horrible acts like this makes me weep - and the "gay panic" defense is beyond disgusting.

I have lit a candle in memory of Jorge Lopez Mercado. Rest in peace, young dear. :cry: