04/12/2007
Colorado Teen Assaulted by Fellow Students for Being Gay
Anthony Hergesheimer, a 15-year-old openly gay student in Pueblo, Colorado, was pursued by a group of six fellow students in a car after leaving school last Thursday. His pursuers passed him four times on the street, taunting him with anti-gay slurs before one of them got out and threw an aerosol can at his head, fracturing his cheekbone and breaking his nose.
Said Hergesheimer: "They said things to me like, 'You, fag, this and you, fag, that,' and then they walked off."
The taunting had reportedly started earlier in the day when the group threw a wet tampon at Hergesheimer.
Heregesheimer's mother, Teresa Ornelas, said that her son had also received threatening emails. Said Ornelas: "I'm very upset. Yeah, my son is gay. But that shouldn't matter. He should be proud of who he is."
She and her husband believe authorities are "dragging their feet" as well because it's a gay-related incident. Added Ornelas: "I think it's taking too long. I don't understand why there have been no arrests. The boys have admitted to assaulting my son. My son has identified them all. Everyone knows about it, and they're still walking around free." The Deputy Chief of police disputes that, saying the incident is getting more attention because of the hate crime element.
Hergesheimer is reportedly undergoing surgery today to repair his facial injuries, and the six teens who attacked him have been temporarily suspended while the school decides whether or not to expel them.
As far as I'm concerned, that decision is a no-brainer. Expel them, at the very least.
Hergesheimer remained strong following the attack: "You shouldn't be afraid to be who you are. Of course there will be people who won't agree with you. But you shouldn't be scared to be who you are."
Video [koaa]
Gay Teen Attacked By Fellow High School Students [the denver channel]
Gay Student In Pueblo Is Possible Hate Crime Victim [krdo]
Posted 8:40 AM EST by Andy Towle in Colorado, Crime, Gay Slurs, News | Permalink
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Wow, I raise my hat to that kid. I was one of those frail looking 15 y/o kids that was out in high school, but thankfully I never had to endure that type of behaviour. Taunting is one thing, but phisically attacking is another. And to be able to give such a level-headed response to the attacks shows he's incredibly well surrounded. Congrats to him and his parents. And I'm definitely going to be contacting that school.
And to those saying this is just "one of many". Yes, it is. But regardless, it shouldn't be ignored. And nor should other incidents be. It's only by tackling these issues one by one that something will change though.
And btw, I'm one of "those Canadians". And trust me, I hardly believe us to have a perfect society. But I can guarantee that, from personal experience, a situation like this would have had far more severe consequences and in a much more timely manner. And not simply because this is a sexual discrimination matter, but any type of harassment is deeply frowned upon and most of our schools have zero tolerance policies when it comes to any type of discrimination.
Posted by: Scott | Apr 12, 2007 2:20:18 PM
Mark M, I understand your point, and agree with it for the most part, but I'm surprised that it's the "acting" in "straight acting" that you take most offense with and most exception to.
What bothers me about this often quoted term is the inherent homophobia that it carries. The only gay people who are truly "straight acting" are those who are ACTING like they are attracted to people of the opposite sex; NOTHING more. So of course a gay person would have to be “acting” to pull it off. For that reason it’s the whole “straight acting” and not just the “acting” that I find irritating. For the life of me, I’ve never been able to figure out how telling people that you act like you are attracted to women would be a positive selling point on a gay man’s profile.
I suspect that the vast majority of people who use this term actually mean that they are "masculine" or "manly" because, in their mind, straight = masculine and manly and gay automatically = un-masculine. Strangely enough, the behavior that many self proclaimed "straight acting" people exhibit requires deception, dishonesty, cowardice, shame and a refusal to stand up for themselves, the one they love or people like them; "qualities" that NO straight man would consider positive masculine characteristics and no straight person would want associated with them.
Beyond the whole straight vs. masculine debate I am bothered by the way so many people in the gay community will overlook or even look up to gay men who exhibit dishonesty, cowardice and shame but are completely offended and unaccepting of honest, courageous and proud feminine men or people who don’t hold fast to “traditional”, "acceptable" gender expression. That, in my opinion, is just as homophobic, and is just as threatening to the gay community (if not more) than anything that straight America, or fundamentalist America, or right-wing America could throw at us.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 12, 2007 2:34:31 PM
Anon: I'm an American living in Canada FYI. And even if I was "one of those Canadians", Americans ARE to be pitied! The USA is the laughingstock of the world at the moment, don't you get your news from elsewhere besides Towleroad and Popbitch?
Posted by: Jamie | Apr 12, 2007 2:39:20 PM
Great letter, Peter!
This attack, and the inadequate response of the school and local police, is yet ANOTHER reason to let HRC and GLAAD wither on the vine and send your money only to groups that are focused on working to protect gay [or thought to be gay] kids and increase their acceptance: GLSEN, the Matthew Shepard Foundation, PFLAG, and Lambda Legal.
Posted by: Leland | Apr 12, 2007 2:43:55 PM
Andy did cover the story of the kid who shot the principal after facing years of homophobic abuse at his public school. However, there is a fine line between feeling a great deal of anger with the way the kid was treated prior to the shooting, feeling frustrated with the fact that he felt pushed to such extreme measures (and feeling sorry for the way his life was ruined) and giving the impression that you support the desperate and extreme actions that he took to remedy the situation.
The abuse that the kid faced in his public school was shameful and unacceptable but killing his principal was shameful and unacceptable and wrong as well, regardless of the level of desperation and helplessness the kid felt.
I think Andy was very thoughtful and careful in walking that fine line with the way he presented the story on his site.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 12, 2007 2:49:15 PM
Kudos to his parents, for really getting it in a place that hasn't quite caught up with either coast of this country in terms of understanding.
This kid's safety has to be considered first: if it isn't safe to have those ass-hats in the school, then toss em. However, it's also important that those same ignorant ass-hats learn about their idiocy, so they don't grow up even worse homophobes. It's important they be reformed, however that's possible - be it in child detention or whatever, but education is still key. They may just no longer have the right to get it in the same place as they used to - and that's something they'll have to deal with, as there are real consequences in life.
Posted by: Ryan | Apr 12, 2007 2:57:07 PM
Hey ZEKE:
Sorry, but NO; Andy NEVER ran the Hainstock story. I should know...I wrote him many times begging him to. And I've been reading Towleroad every day for years now and not once did Andy feature a story about Eric Hainstock.
I don't "give the impression that I support the extreme actions" that Hainstock took. I just think that if the general population knew about this story, there wouldn't be a 15 yr old kid sitting in an adult prison right now, susceptable to even more abuse by other male adult prisoners. He has to pay for his crime; he killed somebody after all. But society has to pay also for creating these situations where kids have to defend themselves like caged animals from their tormentors at our public schools!
Posted by: Jamie | Apr 12, 2007 3:15:48 PM
Brave kid.
Posted by: fangirlhater | Apr 12, 2007 3:29:49 PM
No, 15 year old Eric Hanstock shouldn't have shot the principal. He should have paid someone else to do it. Seriously, I know how he felt. There are anti-gay teachers, school administrators I've been wanting to kill for 40 years..well, maim them atleast. Harassment and gay bashing in the schools are part of the reason for the high suicide rate (and suicide attempts) by teenage gay folks. Sometimes, gay teachers can be assholes too--towards transgendered kids. I'm sorry Eric is in prison not just because I sympathize with him, but he doesn't belong there.
I wish I could shoot some of those rotten anti-gay teachers I had back in the 60's and 70's, even the dead ones. Please excuse the maudlin violins of self-pity playing in the background as you read my post.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Apr 12, 2007 4:00:35 PM
Jamie, I stand corrected. I guess I just remember discussing the incident in the comment section and assumed that it was in response to a post by Andy.
I don't know why Andy didn't post it. It does seem odd. Only he can answer that question.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 12, 2007 4:24:26 PM
At least we American CAN laugh about ourselves. The rest of the world is largely humorless and morose about their problems, if they get discussed at all. Europeans still see themselves largely as peasants.
Posted by: anon | Apr 12, 2007 4:56:40 PM
While gays are being bashed and murdered in greater numbers, here is part of a report, from Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend, on what two of the nations self professed Christian warriors said at a recent "Christian Values" conference:
---- LaBarbera then called for anti-gay activists to regain the offensive by constantly reminding people that homosexual behavior is always wrong and that they must stop "downplaying their opposition" to homosexuality. More importantly, they must work to "bring shame back" to those who are practicing or defending homosexuality.
During a question and answer session following the panel, an attendee raised a question about framing the debate over the issue and the Right's "failure" to stop homosexuals from appropriating the term "gay." LaBarbera stated that it is important to remember that the term "homosexual" is an adjective, not a noun. When Sheldon was asked what Christians ought to be calling homosexuals rather than "gay" or "homosexual," he thundered "SODOMITES - and perverted ones!" to which he received a round of thunderous applause. Sheldon echoed LaBarbera, stating that the Right must get over its aversion to discussing the "grossness" of homosexual behavior and begin pushing for legislation declaring such behavior a social disorder." ----
These kids were only doing EXACTLY what these well known "moral" crusaders (who are constantly being invited onto mainstream media discussions to give the "Christian" perspective on a story) have told them to do.
THAT is where the bulk of the outrage should be directed.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 12, 2007 5:27:16 PM
"Europeans still see themselves largely as peasants."???? In an odd way I feel comforted knowing that some posters' gross stupidity isn't limited to LGBT issues.
Posted by: Leland | Apr 12, 2007 5:31:03 PM
Once again LELAND is just ridiculous is beating his mouth about HRC without using any brain cells what so ever!(you must really have a hard on for andrew sullivan) cause on this issue of HAte Crimes and Legislation in this regard is is WAY OFF BASE and has is own personal misguided and just plain IGNORANT views.
DO YOU REALLY THINK THE ONLY ORGANIZATIONS one need fund are those " groups that are focused on working to protect gay [or thought to be gay] kids and increase their acceptance." REALLY? THINK ABOUT IT.
Now GLAAD I'm right there with you.
Just Today HRC and Judy Shepard helped introduce this piece of Legislation in the Senate. I am a contributor to both The Matthew Shepard Foundation, HRC as well as LAMDA and Victory Fund...BUT YOUR COMMENT LE
Posted by: MCnNYC | Apr 12, 2007 6:18:33 PM
Here is a letter I just fired off to the powers that be in Pueblo, Colorado.
To: The Superintendent's J. Wm. Covington and The Principal of Centennial High School:
Needlesstosay, I am outraged about the homophobic violence that Anthony Hergesheimer had to endure at the hands of those thugs you refer to as students. If these students are a reflection of of the kind of atmosphere that other students who are different for one reason or another have to endure, something is seriously wrong with your leadership. Those thugs that assaulted Anthony should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Their hatecrimes against Anthony are outrageous!! And I have the sneaking suspicion that this is not the first time that Anthony has been harrassed by these so-called students. What about their parents? Have no shame knowing that their well-brought-up children are such vicious monsters? These young men need serious psychological help. Morover, if the powers that be in your school district fail to punish them, and I mean punish them beyond a weak suspension sentence, you and everyone else involved in the decision needs to fired.
This is 2007, hate and violence against gays and lesbians must end!!
Posted by: KB | Apr 12, 2007 7:09:22 PM
Stephen, post #2...You're wrong. The little closet cases didn't run home and jerk off thinking just about Anthony, they were thinking about each other as well.
Hang in there Anthony. Do not let them bring you down. Stay strong and next time, kick their asses bro! If I was there we'd do it together.
Little pussy thugs, 6 on 1...yeah, real brave boys there, eh?
Posted by: Josh | Apr 13, 2007 5:39:54 AM
I feel totally outraged about this whole matter. There is far too much bullying going on (and I inlude assault in that category) and there is far too little being done about it.
Sadly, it's a fact of life that many many kids actually find it enjoyable and funny to hurt others, whether they're gay, lesbian, black, asian, fat, `weird' looking or whatever.
Equally sad is that the parents of little cunts (and there are MANY out there) can't accept that they have produced foul offspring and that they need to deal with them as they would a stranger's child, that is, harshly.
Posted by: Chaq | Apr 13, 2007 7:05:40 AM
"I suspect that the vast majority of people who use this term actually mean that they are "masculine" or "manly" because, in their mind, straight = masculine and manly and gay automatically = un-masculine."
Most people I know who have used the term do it for precisely that reason - to identify themselves as masculine "like a straight man" because we all know to act gay is to be feminine. That's the kind of bullshit that bothers me about the term. We agree, I think, just we expressed it from slightly different angles.
Posted by: mark m | Apr 13, 2007 10:13:15 AM
And what sort of "severe consequences" did you have in mind? Something like this?
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2004/12/10/webster0410.html
This is precisely why Americans don't take our critics too seriously. Had the police arrested these teens and charged them as adults, our global critics would accuse us of having a "backward" judicial system and commiting "child abuse." Had the school expelled a group of ethnic minorities, our global critics would say the "racist U.S, school administrators" are at it again. A lot of the so-called criticisms against this country are self-contradictory and are "to the contrary" rather than anything constructive.
Posted by: John | Apr 14, 2007 1:37:29 PM
Unacceptable...and you want to know why kids are afraid to go to school. Then they want to go ahead and blame the victim.
Posted by: Karim | Apr 15, 2007 12:48:46 AM