Has Anything Changed?

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I lived in Laramie for a year and it's one of my favorite places ever and I'd just like to say that I had PLENTY of gay friends, and knew plenty more and none of them dealt any more hatred and prejudice than they would most anywhere else in the country. This whole notion of Laramie being some stronghold of ignorant gay-hating hicks is really blown out of proportion. Sure, there were some of those, but I find that if there's a group of people who hate tattoos or punk music, like i enjoy, i tend to not spend time with those people. My gay friends made friends with other gays and non prejudice people and dismissed the close-minded people as did most of us. I just find it irritating that because of a freak incident of a couple of violent pigs killing someone who happened to be gay, that the city is now pitied by higher educated folk as a dim pit of ignorant hick gay haters. We all don't frown upon the hometown of Jonbenet Ramsy as a city of child haters, so why should this be different?

I lived in Laramie for a year and it's one of my favorite places ever and I'd just like to say that I had PLENTY of gay friends, and knew plenty more and none of them dealt any more hatred and prejudice than they would most anywhere else in the country. This whole notion of Laramie being some stronghold of ignorant gay-hating hicks is really blown out of proportion. Sure, there were some of those, but I find that if there's a group of people who hate tattoos or punk music, like i enjoy, i tend to not spend time with those people. My gay friends made friends with other gays and non prejudice people and dismissed the close-minded people as did most of us. I just find it irritating that because of a freak incident of a couple of violent pigs killing someone who happened to be gay, that the city is now pitied by higher educated folk as a dim pit of ignorant hick gay haters. We all don't frown upon the hometown of Jonbenet Ramsy as a city of child haters, so why should this be different?

I grew up in Wyoming, I lived in Laramie for several years where I had several gay friends who never had any problems. Yes, it is extremely tragic about what happened to Matthew Shepard. However, I don't t think that a whole town or state should be labeled due to the actions of 2 horrible, closed minded bigots. Everywhere has people like that. Yes, there are changes that need to be made, not just in Wyoming, but in the country as a whole.

To the goose that labeled homosexuality a biological development and not a choice. I don't agree or disagree with you. But your ignorant statement about reading science books instead of the holy bible before making such silly and uneducated comments is in itself silly and uneducated. Science is not fact. Science proves itself wrong as often as it proves itself right. The scientific method is to continually test 'theories'.

If you want to take a stand and bark like an elitist, you have every right to do so. But your belief in scientists is faith just like people have faith in God. To make a truly educated statement, you would know both idealogies before making an ignorant generalization of other people's faith. So in the spirit of your own words, please read some of the holy bible instead of science books before making such silly and uneducated comments.

In response to the comment below this one:
Geez, you don't sound very christian. You ask how much hatred people are feeling, but wow, your email is full of hate. Nothing in that email sounds like it's out of love but rather, your own resentments. How can you even remotely suggest God was in favor of 9/11 (and I live in the south, where people had the audacity to suggest God was behind Katrina)? Wow. Yeah, that's just dripping with love. I'm sure God appreciates you speaking for Him in that capacity. And the last time I read the 10 commandments it didn't mention anything about homosexuality..? Which version are you reading? Perhaps if you truly did see people thru the eyes of love, these things wouldn't get you so riled up but instead you would fee compassion for people who would appreciate a little respect. I'm in favor of gay unions because two people who spend their lives together should have rights. Rights to assets, hospital visits, beneficiary status, etc. It's unfair to deny someone's life partner these benefits because someone else is personally offended by their lifestyle. Get over it. Oh, and
our 'forefathers' also thought slavery was a good idea.... Got anything to say about that?

I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I moved to Laramie, Wyoming in 2004 in my mid 20's where I attended school at the Univerisity of Wyoming. I NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THE MATTHEW SHEPARD CASE until I got to Laramie. What I found when I got there? Laramie was no different in the attitude towards homosexuals than any other place I have lived...including California. Im straight, but I got to know plenty of gay friends...and NONE of them hid who they were...EVER. So has anything changed in Laramie over the last 10 years? Probably not. Did the media punish a whole town and the state of Wyoming because of the actions of two men? Defintely.

I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I moved to Laramie, Wyoming in 2004 in my mid 20's where I attended school at the Univerisity of Wyoming. I NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THE MATTHEW SHEPARD CASE until I got to Laramie. What I found when I got there? Laramie was no different in the attitude towards homosexuals than any other place I have lived...including California. Im straight, but I got to know plenty of gay friends...and NONE of them hid who they were...EVER. So has anything changed in Laramie over the last 10 years? Probably not. Did the media punish a whole town and the state of Wyoming because of the actions of two men? Defintely.

The only place there was no blood on Mathew Shepard's face
is where his tears had washed it away..
Thomas Boyle is the moderate Democrat write-in candidate for president..
Boyle will stop hate crimes. Write-in his name on the write-in line, the bottom line..

So let's look at this - two rednecks get drunk, possible fight about drugs, and kill a gay student, possibly abot drugs. And now ALL of Laramie is homophobic and must be taught to change. And yet, get a couple of minorities to brutally murder a caucasian, and it is the caucasians fault, and it is caucasians who must change. Makes sense.

As far as The Laramie Project changing lives, it is a one side depiction, slanted to draw sympathy in the way that the events are FICTIONALISED. Think Fahrenhite 911...

In reading this article, it makes me so sad that it appears that nothing has really changed in Laramie,...how very,very sad. A previous poster (tx country boy79) said it right,....we did not choose this for ourselves,....being beaten, made fun of, teased,....whatever else. I am gay,....and I have gone through certain instances where I was judged,....it was unfortunate, and I lost what I thought was a good friend. I am a professional woman, a great mom, and a wonderful partner,....and those who judge,....honey, if you saw me, you would never know I was a lesbian. So you see what happens when people are judgemental? One of my all time quotes is,..You are not God,....and you have no right to judge me,...God created us all,.....so please look at yourself before you judge me, and my brothers and sisters.

we serve your country, your community and for some, even your meals. We are a part of society. We make the same sacrifices, pay the same taxes (without any discounts for marriage like some states give) yet we are still the only people you openly critizise, descriminate and continue to make legislation against.
I know that i am a high ranking official of a large Police Department and holding ourselves to a higher standard than those that point the finger will make us prevail and one day enjoy the same freedoms and benefits as every American. Lt. Col.

My husband and I just watched the "Laramie Project" and I must admit it changed my husband's view on his beliefs, the way he was taught, a farm boy, whose did and said what he was taught. He went outside of the box... he broadened his thoughts and took out the "image" of an act and replaced it with "the humanization" of the individuals. The whole issue of same sex relationships is just that.... the "image" of an act that is actually between two people and not for viewing........either in mind or body.......... My child is fat...... ew, the image of such a thought..........no different as far as I am concerned. We are all human, we are all a unity of a community, country, society. Let go of the "image" or "act" and you find the guy next door, the newspaper person, the congressman, professor............. and hey, we like them.............too much emphasis as been brought to this subject.........all boils down to "to eachs own"... you don't tell me what to do on my porch... and I won't tell you. As long as it doesn't hurt me and mine...........I can't judge you or yours...

Perhaps portions of the Bible were inspired by what people believe is or was God. There is no doubt that all religion is man made. Religion is man's way of bring God down to his level...not inpsring men to act like God. God is love and everything else is man made commentary.