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Published in Leesburg Today, August 11, 2006.
This is getting quite ridiculous. The debate about gay marriage, gay rights, and gay everything is way beyond its intent. The Aldie incident was clearly a hate crime. What do you expect? So many anti-gay bills, laws, etc., have been pushed over the past six years. This is not the first hate crime in Loudoun, and certainly not the last. We keep pushing for anti-gay laws and it has become a focal point for politicians.
Loudoun County residents, prepare for more hate crimes. If you want to lower the class of gay community members by not giving them the same fundamental rights as "straight" couples, you should only expect more violence, and you should not seem so shocked when it happens.
I am 26 years old. Being gay does not seem to be a problem within a wide group of friends, family members, and coworkers. I think everyone should listen to their sons and daughters and should learn from/accept their tolerance of fellow humans.
A gay couple does not jeopardize your family, your well being, your values, or your way of life. You vote. You push for anti-gay laws. You have lowered their class. And yet you seem shocked when a "hate crime" is committed?
There are many, many, many issues this state should be focused on. A gay couple should not be a top priority for citizens.
Stop all this anti-gay violence, laws, bills, amendments, news, and everything else one can think of.
Focus, Virginia. Focus, please.
And for the Aldie couple, be strong. This will all end when everyone is accepted and treated as equals.
Jason Fogle, Leesburg