Commas, can, make, a, difference
One of the reasons that I’m an out, open, and proud gay man in a committed monogamous gay relationship of 18 years (legally married since October 30, 2008) is because in many parts of the world, even right here in the United States, it is legal to kill gay people, fire them from their jobs, deny them housing, deny them spousal benefits, etc.
The only way to change that is for everyone to come out, to let the world know just how many LGBTQ people live amongst us. Heck, even the former Vice-President of the United States, Dick Cheney, who himself is homophobic, has an openly lesbian daughter.
One story I read yesterday is about the “gay panic defense” in Queensland, Australia. The “gay panic defense” was first successfully used here in the United States. Apparently, in some parts of the world it is so heinous if someone of the same gender makes a pass at you that you are legally allowed to kill the other person.
The title on the story coming to us from Queensland, Australia, is “Legal to murder gay people?”
Part of the story:
In 1997, a man in Queensland, Australia killed a gay man who he claimed flirted with him by bashing his head into a wall and stabbing him to death. Today, “gay panic” is still a legal defense for murder in Queensland that can result in lesser charges.
In fact, just two years ago, a man was brutally killed in a Queensland churchyard, and his killer used the “gay panic” defense in court. He was subsequently acquitted of murder.
I came out when I was 38. Prior to that, I did have a few women flirt with me. All I said was, “Thanks, but I’m not interested.” I would never kill someone who flirted with me.
However, this story isn’t about the basic human rights for gay people. It’s about a missing comma. Let’s go back to this sentence:
In 1997, a man in Queensland, Australia killed a gay man who he claimed flirted with him by bashing his head into a wall and stabbing him to death.
I think that if someone flirted with me by bashing my head into a wall and stabbing me to death, I’d be a little upset…….well, actually I’d be dead. Upset and dead.
Perhaps a couple of commas would be useful:
In 1997, a man in Queensland, Australia killed a gay man, who he claimed flirted with him, by bashing his head into a wall and stabbing him to death.
And with that, today’s grammar lesson comes to an end like a sun setting on what remains of the day.
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Posted on July 15, 2012, in Photos, SNIPPETS and tagged gay murder, gay murders in queensland australia, gay panic defence. Bookmark the permalink. 41 Comments.
Wow you caught me off guard with the real point of the story! commas are very important indeed!
About 35 years ago, my then-newlywed husband and I were in a gay bar (my best friend from HS was an out gay man). My husband commented how uncomfortable he felt as he imagined himself being the target of predatory male eyes. I reminded him that I was a target of predatory male eyes all the time, had no trouble saying “thanks, no thanks” and I couldn’t see why he’d feel threatened when no one was forcing his attention on him.
I have a different husband now, one who is much more in sync with me. And neither one of us understands the threat of a different sexual orientation, skin color, nationality, gender, etc.
Did I get all my commas right? All the best, M
Thanks for contributing.
Comma check says you’re good to go.
Thanks! ;D
Reminds me of the book Eats, Shoots, and Leaves ~ which could also be Eats Shoots and Leaves (as in Panda Bears eating bamboo shoots). As for the story itself, gay panic defense, that’s horrible.
Hard to hit “like” a post about killing gays because they are gay, but the comma lesson is excellent! Glad you thought of me while you wrote it. How lovely!
I agree with Robin–I clicked the “like” button, because I liked how you tied the material into comma use. A great example of where a comma is most certainly needed!
Good story, friend.
I agree with Robin Coyle! And I pressed “like” because I’m thrilled to hear you are happily monogamous for 18 years and were able to honor your right to marriage.
On my first Valentine’s Day with my husband (then boyfriend) we attended a gay rights event that was pro gay marriage. We knew we’d get married someday and wanted to support everyone’s right to marriage. It’s horrible what happened to the guy who flirted … these tragic stories break my heart … Teena Brandon, Matthew Shepherd, to name a couple of the more known stories.
I look forward to a more positive, compassionate, understanding future as more people come out of the closet.
Yes, commas are very important. I can think of many posts on a health forum that caused offence, purely because the writer forgot the commas and the sentence could be taken two ways.
But something I consider more important, is a person’s right to be free and live the lifestyle they want, whether it be religious faith, political opinion…………. or sexual persuasion. This is a longstanding argument I used to have with my Mother (before she passed away earlier this year).
Okay, you had me cracking up at the end of what was a serious post. Well done. I cried; I laughed; this post moved me.
My word. You got us so interested only to point us to some left-turn direction. Oh Russell… Good one, I guess.
I noticed the missing comma in the first quote, so it was great how you requoted it with the clarifying comma!
I have never heard of the ‘gay panic defense’ – how bloody ridiculous and it doesn’t get more disturbing than this – horrifying actually.
There should be a homophobic panic defense. I have (had) a friend who let something slip out of his mouth the other day that indicated he was a raging homophobic and it sickened and shocked me because there was so much hatred in his comment.
Brilliant post!
Loved the language sucker-punch at the end. It’s nice to see some people still like language. I had never heard of the odious ‘Gay Panic Defense’ until reading your post. You indicate that it was first used in the States. I wonder if that was from the infamous Jenny Jones case. It was reported initially as simply the case of a homophobe who snapped, and while that’s certainly true, and murder is murder, based on information revealed later, I think that the producers of the show had a good deal of culpability as well, in that they engineered the situation knowing one of the parties was at least homophobic (although in fairness, not necessarily that he was homicidal).
Jenny Jones was in 1995, and Jonathan Schmitz did use the gay panic defense but was unsuccessful with it.
Its first use was in 1987 by the “Rainbow Warrior,” but it was unsuccessful.
The first successful use was in 2004-2005 right here in California when the jury deadlocked, at two separate trials.
It was used in New Zealand successfully in July 2009 when the murder charge was reduced to manslaughter.
Love the photos and love the post.. great lesson for us all..
I had this very discussion — not about the commas but about flirting — with my brother a number of years ago. The idea that someone can murder another for something as harmless as flirtation is reprehensible. How many more will have to die or receive a beating until it is enough?
$5.85
Love it.
Zoey the Cool Cat loves to watch tennis. I guess the ball moving around on the screen gets her attention. Anything else on television she ignores. And the top of the chair is her favorite place to watch. I have often wondered if the angle of view from there versus anywhere else gives better visibility on the plasma television.
Tennis Kitteh !!!
Love it.
>^..^<
Because I’m a stickler for punctuation, being a retired first grade teacher, I was putting the commas in where they belonged – in my head. (Oop! I wasn’t putting commas in my head. I was, well, you understand) I had to read the sentence over several times before I could “hear” it the way you meant it. Ouch! And, RIDICULOUS that such a law should even exist. Why do I feel like there is too much punctuation in this comment?????
Thanks for commenting.
I have found that these types of posts usually lose me a few followers, as this one apparently has, indicating that some previous followers don’t like me now that they know I’m an openly gay man in a gay relationship of 18 years, not to mention a gay marriage, or they actually agree with the “gay panic defense.” Alas……..
I like you just fine. I am not gay but I intend to keep following your blog. Knowing you are gay has not changed the fact that I enjoy your blog. This would be a much better world if everyone could just respect one another and stop judging. I may not always use commas and write sentences properly but I do enjoy your blog and hope that you look over any mistakes I may make in my comments.
Even though you are not gay, anyone with a fine- furry, four-legged friend can’t be all bad………….lol
Well, thank you I will take that as a compliment. lol
The world has so much more growing up to do….
Nice sunset shots
Thanks!
My heart goes out to all those who suffer from the ignorance of others. I have a close gay friend and my heart goes out to those who experience the pain of being who they truly are. You have reaffirmed my commitment to help LGBTQ youth with their career development as it’s been tough to remain committed due to at times, the treatment from certain senior leaders because I’m straight. Whatever that means as Kinsey Scale says we’re all on a spectrum. Kudos to you for standing up for all
Pink.
Hey, Pink. Thanks for contributing to the discussion with a very thoughtful comment.
Yes, of course! Today, I joined a gym, and the owner was like, trying to apologize for unisex washrooms, and I was like, “actually, these are LGBTQ friendly as many do not feel washrooms are inclusive with the gender they identify with.” He was stoked. And I’m like, “yup, you’re ahead of your times!” explaining that the University of Calgary is gearing towards this as well. The Old Y Centre in Calgary too is gender-free washrooms (if that’s the term). We need to really be gearing towards inclusion rather than categorizing as this often leads to marginalization of niche groups.
Hope you always feel like part of the gang!
Pink.
WONDERFUL SUNSET ! I wish i could be there !!!!! have a beautiful week !!!!
Hi Russel, I am proud to say that Washington State just made gay marriage legal. I wish you and your spouse many more happy years together. I cannot comprehend why anyone would care about another’s sexual orientation.
I have a neighbor who went up and down the street collecting signatures of people “In defense of marriage,” meaning “in defense of her idea of marriage.” This issue has no affect upon them or their lives. I read that this issue arouses such passion because it is not about the defense of marriage, but really it is about the defense of an ugly and outdated notion that all people are not created equal. Why can’t people just live and let live?
Well at least all the neighbors got to know that person…………………
I’m very vocal about my beliefs, which is probably why she didn’t stop at our house, but I heard about it from the folks across the street, who I am pleased to say have changed their views and wouldn’t sign her stupid petition.
yep, i believe, i’d be somewhat dead, if not upset, if someone banged my head against a wall, while simultaneously, stabbing me to what became, my, death. ah the common comma, much unappreciated – great post -
Oh my gosh just beautiful
Indeed, commas are really important!
The most popular sentence I know is: Let us eat grandpa!
However, I’m seriously shocked by the fact that a ‘gay panic defense’ is existant…
I had never heard “Let us eat grandpa.” Must of been said by some cannibals from the old country…………lol
Well, it’s quite popular here to show kids how essential commas can be… as you can see, the can save lifes: Let us eat, grandpa.
Soylent Green comes to mind……..lol
Yeah, I know that movie!