A group of anti-gay pastors and activists, assisted by the Thomas More Law Center (founded by Tom Monaghan of Domino’s Pizza fame) filed a Complaint in Federal Court located in Bay City against the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (Federal Hate Crime Act). I will not bore you with the names of those pastors; you can read that in any other blog or newspaper.

I believe it is a publicity stunt for the opposition. You know what they say: desperate times call for desperate measures and I can see the desperation all over the Complaint. They must not have thought it through. Triangle Foundation is getting just as much publicity as those pastors. Every media outlet in that area has called us. This stunt has helped us reach those church members and the viewing audience in Bay City, Saginaw, and Midland, right in the back yard of the opposition.

When people see me they get a reality check; “Hey, she really does look like a regular person who grew up in Saginaw.” This is just what Mid-Michigan needs: More exposure and interaction to the lgbt community. The more publicity, the more conversation we get to have about hate crime protections and equality in Michigan. Do your part during this media frenzy. Get in the conversation. Every voice that supports the lgbt community is another step toward equality. So blog, write, and email.

However, understand that even though this is a futile attempt to mar the Federal Hate Crime Act (and the Act is not the full protection we need in Michigan) we must use it to our full advantage. Law enforcement agencies across the state are currently learning about the Federal Hate Crime Act; local law enforcement has to inform US law enforcement of potential hate crimes. Do your part and make sure the law enforcement in your communities is using the Act as a tool. We cannot allow local law enforcement to be lazy when it comes to hate crime enforcement. Additionally, you too can call the FBI and inform them of acts that may be hate crimes. Triangle Foundation is working with the FBI to teach them about our community.

And speaking of teaching, as an attorney, I was disgusted when I read the Complaint that was filed. It has very little legal standing and is full of hateful religious dogma. When lawsuits are filed, the court trusts that the complaint has some foundation in the law. If a complaint lacks such basis, there are rules that sanction those attorneys and parties who waste the court’s time with frivolous matters. In my opinion, this is one of the most frivolous cases I’ve ever read. The plaintiff’s attorneys should be sanctioned for using the court system for such rhetoric without any legal standing.

*But let’s be active. ** I’m interested in peaceful protest. Would you be willing to participate in picketing all of those churches? They need to be reminded of the true definitions of Love, Equality, Nature, and Fairness. Send an email to info@tri.org with “Picket” in the subject line to let us know if you are available for peaceful protests to in Ypsilanti, Bridgeport, Midland, Saginaw, or Waterford. ***

Thanks, Alicia Skillman