Why are We Afraid?

The article “America…You Kill Me” is a speech that addresses an on going action preformed by many citizens of the United States: “Gay Panic”. The Author of the speech, Jeffrey Montgomery, has formalized the plea of all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to have the rites of their citizenship respected. Montgomery uses many real examples of the bias attitude toward GLBT people to enunciate the problem at hand.

Through out his speech Montgomery conveys his argument, clearly stating that this “last socially acceptable form of bigotry” is not acceptable. Montgomery proclaims, “’Gay panic’ is insidious. The “Gay Panic” Defense is arguing that a gay advance by the victim is so revolting that the killer has no choice but to act out violently, often actually killing the victim.” Revisiting the stories of victims of gay panic is a way to vividly educate rest of the world about this crisis. In between these testaments, Montgomery argues his beliefs: the gay panic defense bestows the public “a license to kill”, authorities are not concerned with the homicides with the label of gay, GLBT people want equality and to be free of bigotry, and as citizens GLBT people want their rites accounted for.

The reasons for Montgomery’s beliefs lie in his sexual preference, in religious beliefs, and in a past experience that changed his life. Jeffrey Montgomery is a member of the gay community. He first handedly has witnessed the bigotry toward homosexuals which instills a desire for change and reform of American acceptance. Religious figure heads and politicians hide behind the bible and the constitution and use these documents as “permission to demonize and denigrate” GLBT people. Montgomery finds this enraging because the texts give no actual indication that homosexuality is wrong. The decipherers are “turning the constitution [and bible] on its head” so small references made support the anit-glbt belief. Religion and state have also influenced Montgomery’s argument with the ban of homosexual marriage. This disintegrates GLBT people’s rites to “live with the person [they] choose and build a family with the benefits that attain to those relationships”. The event that started his involvement in gay activism was the murder of his boyfriend Michael in 1985. “Michael’s murder, along with a dozen other gay killings in Detroit in the mid-to-late 80s, remains unsolved.” This very personal connection to a “Gay Panic” defense drives Montgomery to investigate and illustrate gay killing for the public. Montgomery may have a different background of influence but his beliefs are on common ground with me.