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Wildblood hopes a UN resolution finally might mean something

There but for the grace

Kate Wildblood

Thursday, 11 December 2008

Ten years ago a 21-year gay man Matthew Shepard was found tied to a tree in Wyoming USA. He had been beaten beyond recognition – infact the poor soul who discovered Matthew 18 hours after the attack said he resembled a scarecrow. But Matthew was still alive, the torture he endured didn’t kill him outright, infact it took Matthew four days to finally succumb to his injuries.

Not something that makes easy reading. I remember the coverage of the attack back in ‘98 and it was vividly brought back to me in December’s issue of Gay Times where Patrick Strudwick interviewed Matthew’s mother Judy Shepard. It didn’t make easy reading then either. But then again reports of victims of homophobic crime never do. Probably because they never stop being written. Only this August saw the murder of 18-year-old Michael Causer in Liverpool. Attacked because of his sexuality. There was no national outcry – there were no child missing, no juicy headlines to write – just a lad dying on the street because he was queer.

Because he was queer. “There but for the grace of God go I” sings the tune. There go we. Because we are queer. Sometimes in the bubble of lifes daily drama’s it’s easy to forget ‘for the grace’. I know I do. Hands held are suddenly dropped because the company on the street we’re about to pass doesn’t look too friendly. Voices dropped and the subject changed as we realise our late night companions in the taxi rank don’t look that ‘friendly’ after all. Switching off my ‘queerness’ to have a quiet life.

This month will see “a declaration calling for an end to the criminalisation of same-sex relationships put before the United Nations General Assembly.” A law binding move? No. A symbolic gesture? Yes. An effective tool against homophobia? Maybe. Cynic that I am, I’m unsure how a UN declaration will affect the 80 plus countries that still have a total ban on homosexuality but I cling on to the hope that activists worldwide will take strength from a UN declaration.

As for on the streets it may not stop the homophobes but if it swings the power towards us and against them perhaps there’s a chance the hate crime will end. Maybe this will mean reports on the likes of Matthew Shephard and Michael Causer's murders will cease to be written because maybe, just maybe the attacks might stop. A bit much too hope? Maybe. But then it is the season of goodwill to all men. Dare we hope that could extend to all men and women regardless of their sexuality?

www.matthewshepard.org

www.ilga.org