Ricky Martin Speaks Out Against Puerto Rico's Attempt to Remove LGBT People from Hate Crimes Protections

Ricky Martin spoke out yesterday about a move by the Puerto Rican Senate to exclude LGBT people from hate crime laws there, Hispanically Speaking reports:

“I’m very sad about the turn the discussion on Criminal Law is taking in Puerto Rico that proposes the elimination of aggravating factors in cases where crimes are committed out of prejudice toward the victim,” the openly gay star said on his Web site.

Martin said that while great nations focus on providing their citizens with basic rights, some politicians in Puerto Rico are doing just the opposite, “promoting inequality and hate.”

“They ought to do their homework and review a little the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…which says that everyone - the citizens - are equal before the law and have, without distinction, the right to equal protection under the law,” he said.

(blog post)

The Puerto Rican House is expected to vote on the measure this week after an extraordinary session was convened by Governor Luis Fortuño, EDGE reports:

Representative Héctor Ferrer and Sen. Eduardo Bhatia joined LGBT and Dominican activists at a press conference on Sunday, Dec. 4, to criticize the proposed amendments.

"To eliminate these groups as protected categories is to invite the commission of hate crimes in Puerto Rico," said Ferrer, as Vocero reported on Dec. 4 "It is a setback in the country’s public policy."

"In an advanced society, this is dangerous for society," added Bhatia, as Primera Hora reported.

Political affiliation, age and disability would remain part of the revised hate crimes statute if legislators approve the new penal code and Fortuño signs it into law. Pedro Julio Serrano of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force accused both Senate President Thomas Rivera-Schatz and Fortuño of homophobia.

Almost two dozen LGBT Puerto Ricans have been murdered there since 2009.

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Gay Man Killed in Puerto Rico is Third LGBT Person Murdered There in 72 Hours, 18th in Past 18 Months

Michael Lavers at EDGE reports on some extremely disturbing events in Puerto Rico over the last 72 hours:

“Primera Hora” reported earlier tonight that Ramón “Moncho” Salgado was found dead along the side of a highway in Humacao on the island’s eastern coast. Thomas J. Bryan Picó, executive director of la Fundación Gaviota, told the newspaper that Salgado was a 46-year-old gay man who lived in Humacao. “Primera Hora” reported that Salgado’s body showed signs of blunt trauma.

Bryan pointed out that Salgado is the third LGBT Puerto Rican who has been found dead in 72 hours. As EDGE reported late Monday, June 6, a transgender woman was found shot to death in a Santurce intersection. Karlota Gómez Sánchez’s body was discovered roughly 48 hours after Alejandro Torres Torres was found stabbed to death in Ponce.

In the past year and a half, 18 LGBT individuals have been killed in Puerto Rico, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, which released this statement from National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Communications Manager and Puerto Rico Para Tod@s founder Pedro Julio Serrano:  

“The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force stands in solidarity with the LGBT community in Puerto Rico and sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of Karlota Gómez Sánchez, Ramón Salgado and Alejandro Torres Torres. As someone who grew up in Puerto Rico and has been very active in its LGBT community, this is a heart-wrenching moment. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to all of the victims’ loved ones at this difficult time. Justice must prevail. This is about members of the Puerto Rican LGBT community feeling safe in their communities and being able to take care of the ones they love. We call upon the authorities and political leaders to effectively address this epidemic of anti-LGBT violence. This must stop now.”

Two Men in Women's Clothing Found Shot Beside Road in Puerto Rico

Two men in women's clothing were found dead beside a road in Puerto Rico on Monday, the Canadian Press reports:

"A police officer discovered the victims, each one shot in the head, during a pre-dawn patrol in the city of Juana Diaz, according to a police statement. An unidentified 28-year-old man has been arrested and his car seized in connection with the case. Pedro Julio Serrano, the founder of the gay rights group Puerto Rico for All, said the island's laws obligate authorities to investigate whether the double slaying was motivated by the victims' sexual orientation or gender identity. Serrano said nine gay and transsexual people have been killed over the last 10 months in Puerto Rico, which has recorded a total of 682 slayings this year. He said authorities have not responded adequately to what he called a wave of crime targeting gays."

More (in Spanish) from Noti Uno.

(image source)

Killer of Gay Puerto Rican Teen Jorge Mercado Pleads Guilty, Gets 99 Years in Prison

Juan Matos, the man charged in the brutal murder of gay Puerto Rican teen Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, pleaded guilty today and received an immediate sentence. As you may remember, Mercado's body was found decapitated, dismembered, and partially burned by the side of the road near the Puerto Rican town of Cayey last November.

Edge reports:   

"Juan José Martínez Matos, who had been scheduled to go on trial for Jorge Steven López Mercado’s death on Monday, May 17, confessed to the crime during a hearing in Caguas on Wednesday, May 12. Martínez told the court he understood the consequences of his actions, and Judge Miriam Camila Jusino immediately sentenced him to 99 years in prison. Primera Hora reported López’s parents, Myriam Mercado and Jorge López, hugged prosecutor Yaritza Carrasquillo after the hearing. Mercado told the newspaper, however, Martínez’s confession was bittersweet for her and her family. 'We are able to find a bit of peace in this aspect, but it still not going to return Steven,' she said. 'But at least there is justice in Puerto Rico.' Jorge López evoked his faith. 'I want to send a message to Juan (Casper) and tell him there is hope in Christ,' said López with tears in his eyes. 'The lord has forgiveness for him, Irregardless of what has happened. God has a plan for him if he opens his heart to Christ. God will forgive him also.'"

Transgender Woman Brutally Murdered In Puerto Rico

Ashley Santiago Ocasio, a 31-year-old transgender woman was brutally murdered in Puerto Rico last week and the LGBT community in that US territory is upset that authorities aren't doing enough to investigate what they believe could very well be a hate crime.

The Washington Post reports:

"The case has grabbed headlines and renewed complaints that Puerto Rico has never invoked a 2002 hate crime law covering crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity."

"In the last five months alone, there have been five instances where the statute could have been used, said Pedro Julio Serrano, a spokesman for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force"

"'The law is very clear and we're asking authorities to investigate without prejudice,' Serrano said."

You may recall one of those five cases being the tragic murder of George Steven Lopez Mercado, who was brutally murdered late last year. The suspect in his murder is looking at first degree murder charges but hate crime charges are not being pursued.

Police have not yet decided if they will pursue Ocasio's murder as a hate crime.