I am ashamed to say that there are still people in the world who are close minded and unaccepting of others for the way they live their lifestyle. While this statistic about the state of Michigan in relation to hate crimes against gays is horrible, it doesn't mean that the state is any more homophobic than anywhere else in the United States. Statistics themselves really can't stand alone and mean much. They must be judged against other statistics to see their real measure.
Anyway, I am from Michigan and I'm very proud of that. To those people leaving comments saying how backwards my state is, you're wrong in many ways. To mdg650hawk, who said "Welcome to Hillary's voting base. White trash, racist, bigoted, homophobic, uneducated rednecks." To me, it sounds like you're the uneducated one. Before people start bashing people from another state, you should look at where you live and what things are wrong there. In most cases they aren't far off from what's happening in other areas of our country.
michigan is going thru some shit right now but it will change! gays are not so small in numbers anymore. we are out and we are everywhere….u cant beat us down for long!
I live in mich Perez and there is also a very welcoming gay community especially in Ferndale where they have one of the largest gay and lesbian festivals every summer and its wonderful
it is really sad what michigan has come to
I hate hearing about shit like this. I don't know why other ppl give a shit if someone else wants to be gay. It's not like it affects them in any way. Let the gay be gay and leave them alone. It's sad, disgusting and wrong. Shit like this makes me really angry and sad.
This is unfortunate and I'm ashamed of the actions of SOME of the people I call neighbors here in Michigan. But please know, not all of us are a hateful waste of space!
Yes that does suck, But I have lived in michigan all my life and I Love Perez! and alot of my friends are gay.. Its sad to see that my state is so homophobic.
You both have the wrong idea about northern michigan and the UP. Come up here in the Upper Peninsula… or even north of Gaylord and you will find a lot of open minded tolerant people. Northern michigan is a VERY safe place to live. It doesn't matter what your race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs are… it's HIGHLY unlikely you will be a victim of a hate crime. I have a lot of openly gay friends and the only time they have EVER been cursed at/teased/threatened is when they went downstate or out of state.
I live in Michigan and I have my whole life. I have lived (not by choice) in a not-so-friendly gay area and am currently living in a VERY gay friendly area. I have never known or been aware of hate crimes towards the gay community here, not to say there aren't any because I don't know. But as for Michigan being gay intolerant I find that hard to believe. Maybe Detroit is Gay intolerant (but parts of Detroit are intolerant of all people) but there are a lot of places in Michigan that are very tolerant and very proud of our gay community. Visit Ferndale or Royal Oak and you will see what I mean!!!!
Re: MORAL MAJORITY – If you feel that way, then why, please. tell me, WHY are you even on this site??? Why are ANY homophobes on this site?? We ALL know Perez is gay and WHATEVER! It doesn't matter who a person goes home to at night. What matters is how they treat their fellows and the world around them….. be kind to people, accept them for who they are, and please re-use and recycle, everyone. You can be sexually attracted to cardboard boxes (or picnic tables) for all I care, but do you part in making our world a better place!! THAT'S what matters!!
I'm from Detroit Michigan and we all don't hate people who are gay. I have family members who are gay and I don't love them any less. It's sad that the bashing is up that much but until perez posted it i hadn't heard it because the people that i surround myself with don't have problems with people who are gay so that type of hate is not apart of my daily environment. And to those how have been abused because of their sexual orientation I am truly sorry because no one deserves to be treated that way those abusers are ignorant and insensitve. But that's it I just wanted to let you all know all of Michigan does not hate gays.
Its true!!!! I'm from Michigan and this one time me and my friends were walking out of Wal-Mart late @ night when we got into a heated argument with this black gansgta guy who was yelling homophobic slurs @ us and almost ran my friend over. Well I got super pissed and started yelling racial slurs @ him and I told him "to go back to the hood where he belong". It wasn't right of me to do it so but @ that time I didn't care, I was so mad he was attacking us out of the blue. I'm guesing not all of Michigan is like this but just beware you all!!
Re: I HATE GAYS!!! – That means you hate yourself mate? It has to be awful to live in your body , i wonder what kind of freaks parents do you have .-Did you daddy used to beat up the scrap out of you , i'm not gay but you should know that life is too short to hate.
Re: Team Oklahoma! – I find it funny that you pick what I said out of all those comments to comment on. ANNNNNDDDDD I know one of the people who was robbed, so dont tell me that I need to get my facts straight, cuz mine are coming straight from the source. NOTHING I said was racist. Its you who are racist. You have no clue what race I am!!! I was merely saying that it is not just minorities who are being targeted and that lots of crimes are committed by a wide arrange of people. AND I know you are not even from MI cuz no one from MI would be stupid enough to be an Oklahoma fan, so shut the fuck up!
I am from Michigan and this is not a true portrait of the majority. Sadly, there will be some who choose to hate and abuse but with so many other things to worry about here-joblessness, education deficiancies, no benefits a corrupt mayor,etc, and the press is out of ideas on those -they have found a way to press on about a few idiots who want a bit of fame. If everyone who believes this is the wrong way to treat their fellow humans stands up for the abused, this would stop. But people put their heads in the sand over and over. Raise your voices MIchiganders! No More Hate
Re: Mary –
I've grew up in MI, and have lived in OH AND NYC, which I think gives me an interesting perspective. The University of Michigan is one of the top public schools in the nation (so shut up, you Buckeyes who only have sports to brag about), and there are MANY residents enrolled there, as it is a public university. It also has SEVERAL of the #1 graduate programs in the country–the Ivies don't house them all!! Michigan State and other schools have some of the top-ranked graduate programs in the country. There are MANY people in this state with VERY high IQs–and OUR STATE HAS BEEN VOTING DEMOCRATIC for quite some time!! And, don't forget, Ann Arbor is one of the most liberal cities in the country, according to some. It's our former REPUBLICAN governor, John Engler, who helped to KILL our state–12 years of him, plus the later addition of the Bush administration, is why Michigan is tanking. You OBVIOUSLY HAVE NO IDEA what you're talking about regarding politics in Michigan. Do some research. Bush even REFUSED to give him ANY positions in his cabinet, although Engler lobbied hard for them. I absolutely believe that the violence is NOT increasing; rather, it is the REPORTING of such violence that has gone up, because law enforcement is finally starting to act. This topic has been a hot one with my gay friends lately, and they sincerely haven't seen an increase.
Re: UGH – Sorry about the typo==Mary and some others on here really got me angry. I thought it was important to correct my mistake, since I was talking about intelligence in my post, and some idiot will jump on that error in order make me sound less credible. So here:
"I grew up…"
Re: UGH (again) – So basically you are saying that since Michigan is a Democrat majority state and there are intelligent and wealthy people here that the two are related? First, many college students are liberal until they get into the real world and realize that the majority of their paycheck is going into income transfer programs, hence the rise in conservatism as age increases. The reason Michigan is traditionally a democrat voting state is because of inner city voters. If you leave the inner cities and enter wealthier subarbs, such as Novi, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, etc, you will see they vote predominantly Republican. It's only natural that in cities like Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Flint that voters would support candidates who base their platform around big government and increasing welfare program.
Oh and I don't know what a Buckeye is, but I am from Michigan so don't make assumptions. Your entire argument was ridiculous and wasn't based on any factual information at all. Instead you you trying to create relationships between things that are not related at all.
I believe that if somone is offended by another persons actions, it is a reflection unto themselves. Perhaps Homophobes are jealous of a gay mans freedom.
Yuck — I am embarrassed to live here sometimes! But Mary is right — there are also many good hearted, open minded Michiganders out there!
I still want our votez and delegatez counted
says – reply to this
127
and from Florida..itz not FAIR..AND ITZ NOT ”CHANGE”..OBAMA…
i HEAR HE IS IN FLORIDA 2/DAY…
MAYBE I SHOULD HIDE…LOL
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
RIGHT…
ITZ TOO LATE OBAMA…WE ALREADY HAVE SPOKEN
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
WE WANT ”OUR HILLARY”'
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
NOW LEAVE UZ ALONE
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ANYONE WHO WANTZ YOUR KIDZ TO DIE IN WAR..VOTE OBAMA
COZ
MCCAIN WILL BEAT HIZ AZZHOLE BY MILEZ..IF HE STEALZ THE
NOMINATION FROM HILLARY
HILLARY HAS THE POPULAR VOTE
AND THE ”BATTLEGROUND” KEY STATES THAT BEATZ MCCAIN…
VOTE HILLARY OR
KILL YOUR KIDZ..ITZ THAT EFFEN SIMPLE BITCHEZZZZZZZZZZZ
MARK IT
REMEMBER IT…♥]]
Unfortunately, Michigan isn't the best place for homosexuals to live. What do you expect when a large percentage of the workforce are unskilled (read uneducated) factory workers or farmers. My partner (of 5 years) and I still don't feel fully comfortable walking around even one of the most liberal towns holding hands or showing affection.
I'm from Michigan; it sucks - too many racist, white trash bigots. As #2 Mary R. said, not all Michiganders are hatemongers, but we have more than our fair share and they need to be shot.
This is a voluntary reporting system. So the number of REPORTED cases is up 133% - that doesn't necessarily mean hate crimes went up - it could only mean that more people came forward and reported them.
I love reading comments by bumblechucks who don't know what they are talking about.
I am from Michgian. The non-voters here allowed for an ammendment in the Constitution to be made banning Gay marriage and same sex domestic partner benefits. The theory is that this gave the "green light" for gay bashing and hate crimes. Thus proving the fact that not all voters are smart people and that the smart people need to get out and vote.
With the unemployment and the economy the way that it is, Michigan is doing a fine job driving this state back to nothing.
To respond to the liberal hater. The Governor here is being blamed for much of the downfall in this State when she actually was fixing problems caused by the former Republican governor. You want Michgan to imporove then buy an American car to put some of our residents back to work.
as a michigan resident, i can confirm this place is full of ignorant, uneducated morons. our city of detroit is a mess and all the whites have moved out to the suburbs. it's racially segregated—indians in troy, muslims in southfield/hamtramck, blacks in detroit, yuppies in royal oak, rich whites in birmingham and west bloomfield.
that way no one has to deal with each other and distrust breeds.
have you ever seen detroit? it's like a nuclear bomb went off in a huge, beautiful city. all of these grand buildings, mansions totally abandoned and falling apart. it's sickening.
I think it's important to note that these statistics fail to compare the increase of "out" or "open" members of the gay community with the increase in the crimes.
I graduated 10yrs ago from a metro-Detroit high school. There was one female who was an open lesbian. My sister is now a senior at the same school and there are about a dozen gay/lesbian kids in her class alone. In addition she said that most of the girls in her grade have experimented with some form of bisexuality.
While I agree that many Michiganders, particularly the West side of the state and up North feed the traditionaly stereotype of budweiser drinking, country music listening, rifle toting rednecks, Metro-Detroit is actually a progressive middle-upper class liberal area.
Hate in any number is wrong. A percentage of 1 would be unacceptable. However you must consider all factors when making accusations, assumptions, or reporting on things of this nature. THe Freep is known for taking liberties with statistical analysis.
Let's give Michigan a break. Blame the individuals, not the state. We have a Mayor robbing us, a Governor allowing him to do so (because she is too preoccupied with the billion dollar budget defecit she created), the auto industry has crumbled, and real estate foreclosures are a mainstream occurence.
How sad, I live in Michigan and have a gay drag cousin who I love dearly proud to call him family. I always worry about him, and always have since he came out before he was even a tween. I know he'll be ok able to take care of himself as he always has, but there's other people that worry me. I'm a mother of 3, wanting them to grow up happy ad if they want to be gay I'm right there next to them giving the support they need. Not all michigan folks are closed minded, and are full of hate. One day hope to see same sex marraige pass, and for the people that don't like it sit on it!
Huh - guess it should suck to live here then… but it doesn't since it's not an epidemic. This state is so strange in how one area is open to gays, one area closed, and then there's everything in between… a wee bit fragmented.
Coming from Michigan this article really saddens me, especially since I go to WSU in Detroit. I know this is true from what I have seen, and I really hope that Michigan can make a step towards acceptance of all sexuality, and race.
I live in Michigan and I -nor any of my friends- are haters against gays and lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered. Even though Michigan is the worst state to live in economically, I never would have thought to see this. I just can't wait to get my farggin' ass out of this state. It's just another reason to leave it. Much love for Perez
LET'S GO RED WINGS!!! WE ARE GETTING STANLEY THIS YEARR!! CRUSHH THE PENGUINS!!!
I never even knew about that, neither do I hear it on the news. Anyways, I don't hate gays, I just think its wrong. Go ahead bash me, but whatever.
God Bless.
I live in the Detroit area and it is very gay friendly (City and Suburb). In fact, I think Ferndale, MI is one of the top gay friendly cities in America. It is sad that this results in violence. My thought is that a lot of this violence occurs outside the Detroit and in more rural areas. I know it says Michigan, but people automatically associate anything bad in Michigan with Detroit.
It's funny that you think that it's us northerners giving everyone else a bad name. Go to the Michigan State Police website - and although the newest information they have is the 2005 stats - I'm sure that it hasn't changed TOO much in the past three years. And although I realize that the article is about people coming out and reporting the incidents more than ever, this link just goes to show that out of 8 hate crimes committed and reported in the Upper Peninsula, not a single one of them was due to their sexuality.
I can guarantee you that when the 2008 stats come out, it will also show that the U.P. does not play a big part in hate crimes.
And who cares if people up here drink, hunt and listen to country music? Go to Detroit and you'll find the same thing (minus the majority listening to country.) I sure as hell feel a lot safer up here than I would living down there… there has only been 3 murders in the past 4-5 years up here (as far as I've researched.)
we'll That article makes me sad. I always thought michigan was so open to diversities and being born and raised from michigan I truley apologize. I hate no one and truley believe in being who you are and not hiding it. I imagine the majority of the haters are probably from the U.P.
[point- southeast michigan is where everything sucks. everywhere else is rural and doing okay. the northern most part, which is where i live, is actually stable. but it's still fricken cold.]
to all who say they hate michigan because of it and that all people in michigan are like this, thats unfair. i know many nice people in michigan (i live there) and it really isnt like that.
just because we have some retards doesnt mean we all are
It's not the U.P.! Seriously.. read my last comment. Go to the Michigan State Police website… the facts are there. It's downstate that has the problem.
White trash, racist, bigoted, homophobic, uneducated rednecks?Now I can see where you would think this, honestly. But at the same time, to make those remarks, I expect you to be submersed into Michigan for a year or two, and not just in one part, or see one thing on the news about a certain area.Yes we are in a terrible economic recess, and there are A LOT of people struggling. Unfortunatly, but not unlike the other 49 states, we have those who prey on others for their fullfillment, and ours just so happened to be published in the freepress and picked up by another website, broadcasted to a wider demographic. Michigan has 2 cities in the top 5 list of the "Most Dangerous Cities to Live". People are getting laid off right and left, people who ARE educated, who hold college degrees. Michigan is also home to the third richest county in America, and have two well known cities who have a popular gay following. You're remarks on how we're all rednecks, and trailer trash is completely bigoted on your behalf, and in turn, makes you look like an uneducated hillbilly.So go watch 8 Mile again, and continue on with your centralized thoughts that you can't even admit to owning, because they belong others.
Perez- come to Royal Oak and Ferndale and I will prove this artical wrong. Michigan has it's haters, just like every other state, but we're not all like this!
This makes me sick to my stomach.. How can you tell people that being gay is a sickness? What is wrong w/ that state?? Why shouldn't people get health benefits because of their personal life? Homosexuals are not trying to force themselves down anyones throat, nor do they try to recruit heterosexuals. Humans are humans and we all deserve the same rights.
explain to me how you "pay for" this choice… most people would agree that sexual object choice is just that- a choice. but i think few would agree that it has any effect on you. ass.
I am ashamed to say that there are still people in the world who are close minded and unaccepting of others for the way they live their lifestyle. While this statistic about the state of Michigan in relation to hate crimes against gays is horrible, it doesn't mean that the state is any more homophobic than anywhere else in the United States. Statistics themselves really can't stand alone and mean much. They must be judged against other statistics to see their real measure.
Anyway, I am from Michigan and I'm very proud of that. To those people leaving comments saying how backwards my state is, you're wrong in many ways. To mdg650hawk, who said "Welcome to Hillary's voting base. White trash, racist, bigoted, homophobic, uneducated rednecks." To me, it sounds like you're the uneducated one. Before people start bashing people from another state, you should look at where you live and what things are wrong there. In most cases they aren't far off from what's happening in other areas of our country.
michigan is going thru some shit right now but it will change! gays are not so small in numbers anymore. we are out and we are everywhere….u cant beat us down for long!
I live in mich Perez and there is also a very welcoming gay community especially in Ferndale where they have one of the largest gay and lesbian festivals every summer and its wonderful
it is really sad what michigan has come to
I hate hearing about shit like this. I don't know why other ppl give a shit if someone else wants to be gay. It's not like it affects them in any way. Let the gay be gay and leave them alone. It's sad, disgusting and wrong. Shit like this makes me really angry and sad.
This is unfortunate and I'm ashamed of the actions of SOME of the people I call neighbors here in Michigan. But please know, not all of us are a hateful waste of space!
Yes that does suck, But I have lived in michigan all my life and I Love Perez! and alot of my friends are gay.. Its sad to see that my state is so homophobic.
Wow, that's terrific. One group of people from Michigan, Detroit I might add, gives the whole state a bad name.
Re: Zona –
Re: Carla –
You both have the wrong idea about northern michigan and the UP. Come up here in the Upper Peninsula… or even north of Gaylord and you will find a lot of open minded tolerant people. Northern michigan is a VERY safe place to live. It doesn't matter what your race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs are… it's HIGHLY unlikely you will be a victim of a hate crime. I have a lot of openly gay friends and the only time they have EVER been cursed at/teased/threatened is when they went downstate or out of state.
YAY!!!
WE ALL NEED TO SALUTE THOSE WHO MADE THE 133 PERCENT RISE.
LETS TRY TO MAKE IT 299 PERCENT NEXT YEAR.FAGS SPREAD DISEASE AND PESTILENCE.
I live in Michigan and I have my whole life. I have lived (not by choice) in a not-so-friendly gay area and am currently living in a VERY gay friendly area. I have never known or been aware of hate crimes towards the gay community here, not to say there aren't any because I don't know. But as for Michigan being gay intolerant I find that hard to believe. Maybe Detroit is Gay intolerant (but parts of Detroit are intolerant of all people) but there are a lot of places in Michigan that are very tolerant and very proud of our gay community. Visit Ferndale or Royal Oak and you will see what I mean!!!!
Re: MORAL MAJORITY – If you feel that way, then why, please. tell me, WHY are you even on this site??? Why are ANY homophobes on this site?? We ALL know Perez is gay and WHATEVER! It doesn't matter who a person goes home to at night. What matters is how they treat their fellows and the world around them….. be kind to people, accept them for who they are, and please re-use and recycle, everyone. You can be sexually attracted to cardboard boxes (or picnic tables) for all I care, but do you part in making our world a better place!! THAT'S what matters!!
I'm from Detroit Michigan and we all don't hate people who are gay. I have family members who are gay and I don't love them any less. It's sad that the bashing is up that much but until perez posted it i hadn't heard it because the people that i surround myself with don't have problems with people who are gay so that type of hate is not apart of my daily environment. And to those how have been abused because of their sexual orientation I am truly sorry because no one deserves to be treated that way those abusers are ignorant and insensitve. But that's it I just wanted to let you all know all of Michigan does not hate gays.
Thats pretty sad.
Its true!!!! I'm from Michigan and this one time me and my friends were walking out of Wal-Mart late @ night when we got into a heated argument with this black gansgta guy who was yelling homophobic slurs @ us and almost ran my friend over. Well I got super pissed and started yelling racial slurs @ him and I told him "to go back to the hood where he belong". It wasn't right of me to do it so but @ that time I didn't care, I was so mad he was attacking us out of the blue. I'm guesing not all of Michigan is like this but just beware you all!!
Re: I HATE GAYS!!! – That means you hate yourself mate? It has to be awful to live in your body , i wonder what kind of freaks parents do you have .-Did you daddy used to beat up the scrap out of you , i'm not gay but you should know that life is too short to hate.
Re: NASTY HOMOS DIE~~~~ – are You Black?
Re: Team Oklahoma! – I find it funny that you pick what I said out of all those comments to comment on. ANNNNNDDDDD I know one of the people who was robbed, so dont tell me that I need to get my facts straight, cuz mine are coming straight from the source. NOTHING I said was racist. Its you who are racist. You have no clue what race I am!!! I was merely saying that it is not just minorities who are being targeted and that lots of crimes are committed by a wide arrange of people. AND I know you are not even from MI cuz no one from MI would be stupid enough to be an Oklahoma fan, so shut the fuck up!
I am from Michigan and this is not a true portrait of the majority. Sadly, there will be some who choose to hate and abuse but with so many other things to worry about here-joblessness, education deficiancies, no benefits a corrupt mayor,etc, and the press is out of ideas on those -they have found a way to press on about a few idiots who want a bit of fame. If everyone who believes this is the wrong way to treat their fellow humans stands up for the abused, this would stop. But people put their heads in the sand over and over. Raise your voices MIchiganders! No More Hate
Re: Mary –
I've grew up in MI, and have lived in OH AND NYC, which I think gives me an interesting perspective. The University of Michigan is one of the top public schools in the nation (so shut up, you Buckeyes who only have sports to brag about), and there are MANY residents enrolled there, as it is a public university. It also has SEVERAL of the #1 graduate programs in the country–the Ivies don't house them all!! Michigan State and other schools have some of the top-ranked graduate programs in the country. There are MANY people in this state with VERY high IQs–and OUR STATE HAS BEEN VOTING DEMOCRATIC for quite some time!! And, don't forget, Ann Arbor is one of the most liberal cities in the country, according to some. It's our former REPUBLICAN governor, John Engler, who helped to KILL our state–12 years of him, plus the later addition of the Bush administration, is why Michigan is tanking. You OBVIOUSLY HAVE NO IDEA what you're talking about regarding politics in Michigan. Do some research. Bush even REFUSED to give him ANY positions in his cabinet, although Engler lobbied hard for them. I absolutely believe that the violence is NOT increasing; rather, it is the REPORTING of such violence that has gone up, because law enforcement is finally starting to act. This topic has been a hot one with my gay friends lately, and they sincerely haven't seen an increase.
Re: UGH – Sorry about the typo==Mary and some others on here really got me angry. I thought it was important to correct my mistake, since I was talking about intelligence in my post, and some idiot will jump on that error in order make me sound less credible. So here:
"I grew up…"
if you drive thru Michigan you see a lot of:
- dead deer in pickup trucks
- outlet malls
- university/sporting life
it's pretty primitive.
There are lots of good-hearted people, and in the larger cities there is more civilization..but Michigan is best left to the sands of time.
Re: UGH (again) – So basically you are saying that since Michigan is a Democrat majority state and there are intelligent and wealthy people here that the two are related? First, many college students are liberal until they get into the real world and realize that the majority of their paycheck is going into income transfer programs, hence the rise in conservatism as age increases. The reason Michigan is traditionally a democrat voting state is because of inner city voters. If you leave the inner cities and enter wealthier subarbs, such as Novi, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, etc, you will see they vote predominantly Republican. It's only natural that in cities like Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Flint that voters would support candidates who base their platform around big government and increasing welfare program.
Oh and I don't know what a Buckeye is, but I am from Michigan so don't make assumptions. Your entire argument was ridiculous and wasn't based on any factual information at all. Instead you you trying to create relationships between things that are not related at all.
I believe that if somone is offended by another persons actions, it is a reflection unto themselves. Perhaps Homophobes are jealous of a gay mans freedom.
jeez, you gay bashers in michigan must be totally exhausted. you fucking die!
Michigan also has the highest population of radical Islamists. 1+1=2
not a shock.
Yuck — I am embarrassed to live here sometimes! But Mary is right — there are also many good hearted, open minded Michiganders out there!
and from Florida..itz not FAIR..AND ITZ NOT ”CHANGE”..OBAMA…
i HEAR HE IS IN FLORIDA 2/DAY…
MAYBE I SHOULD HIDE…LOL
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
RIGHT…
ITZ TOO LATE OBAMA…WE ALREADY HAVE SPOKEN
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
WE WANT ”OUR HILLARY”'
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
NOW LEAVE UZ ALONE
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ANYONE WHO WANTZ YOUR KIDZ TO DIE IN WAR..VOTE OBAMA
COZ
MCCAIN WILL BEAT HIZ AZZHOLE BY MILEZ..IF HE STEALZ THE
NOMINATION FROM HILLARY
HILLARY HAS THE POPULAR VOTE
AND THE ”BATTLEGROUND” KEY STATES THAT BEATZ MCCAIN…
VOTE HILLARY OR
KILL YOUR KIDZ..ITZ THAT EFFEN SIMPLE BITCHEZZZZZZZZZZZ
MARK IT
REMEMBER IT…♥]]
Unfortunately, Michigan isn't the best place for homosexuals to live. What do you expect when a large percentage of the workforce are unskilled (read uneducated) factory workers or farmers. My partner (of 5 years) and I still don't feel fully comfortable walking around even one of the most liberal towns holding hands or showing affection.
Actually I think people from Michigan are just mean and nasty in general. How do I know? I live here!
I'm from Michigan; it sucks - too many racist, white trash bigots. As #2 Mary R. said, not all Michiganders are hatemongers, but we have more than our fair share and they need to be shot.
This is a voluntary reporting system. So the number of REPORTED cases is up 133% - that doesn't necessarily mean hate crimes went up - it could only mean that more people came forward and reported them.
I am from Michigan and this makes me sick. I have SO many gay friends and I am so scared one of them is going to get hurt.
I love reading comments by bumblechucks who don't know what they are talking about.
I am from Michgian. The non-voters here allowed for an ammendment in the Constitution to be made banning Gay marriage and same sex domestic partner benefits. The theory is that this gave the "green light" for gay bashing and hate crimes. Thus proving the fact that not all voters are smart people and that the smart people need to get out and vote.
With the unemployment and the economy the way that it is, Michigan is doing a fine job driving this state back to nothing.
To respond to the liberal hater. The Governor here is being blamed for much of the downfall in this State when she actually was fixing problems caused by the former Republican governor. You want Michgan to imporove then buy an American car to put some of our residents back to work.
Re: Bucks #1 – No, honey, get with the pros - GO BUCS!! As in Tampa Bay!!! AND GO BULLS as in USF!!!
Do you believe EVERYTHING YOU READ PEREZ?
Don't be gay and there won't be any hate crimes. Problem solved.
as a michigan resident, i can confirm this place is full of ignorant, uneducated morons. our city of detroit is a mess and all the whites have moved out to the suburbs. it's racially segregated—indians in troy, muslims in southfield/hamtramck, blacks in detroit, yuppies in royal oak, rich whites in birmingham and west bloomfield.
that way no one has to deal with each other and distrust breeds.
have you ever seen detroit? it's like a nuclear bomb went off in a huge, beautiful city. all of these grand buildings, mansions totally abandoned and falling apart. it's sickening.
i hate it here.
133% ??? Well, that is a good start. Keep up the good work. Think I have found me a new vacation spot.
I think it's important to note that these statistics fail to compare the increase of "out" or "open" members of the gay community with the increase in the crimes.
I graduated 10yrs ago from a metro-Detroit high school. There was one female who was an open lesbian. My sister is now a senior at the same school and there are about a dozen gay/lesbian kids in her class alone. In addition she said that most of the girls in her grade have experimented with some form of bisexuality.
While I agree that many Michiganders, particularly the West side of the state and up North feed the traditionaly stereotype of budweiser drinking, country music listening, rifle toting rednecks, Metro-Detroit is actually a progressive middle-upper class liberal area.
Hate in any number is wrong. A percentage of 1 would be unacceptable. However you must consider all factors when making accusations, assumptions, or reporting on things of this nature. THe Freep is known for taking liberties with statistical analysis.
Let's give Michigan a break. Blame the individuals, not the state. We have a Mayor robbing us, a Governor allowing him to do so (because she is too preoccupied with the billion dollar budget defecit she created), the auto industry has crumbled, and real estate foreclosures are a mainstream occurence.
How sad, I live in Michigan and have a gay drag cousin who I love dearly proud to call him family. I always worry about him, and always have since he came out before he was even a tween. I know he'll be ok able to take care of himself as he always has, but there's other people that worry me. I'm a mother of 3, wanting them to grow up happy ad if they want to be gay I'm right there next to them giving the support they need. Not all michigan folks are closed minded, and are full of hate. One day hope to see same sex marraige pass, and for the people that don't like it sit on it!
GOOD!! FINALLY SOMETHING MAKES ME PROUD TO SAY I'M FROM DETROIT!!
Re: yamile – Maturity is not spending your days reading Perez Hilton… you expect too much.
BUT colour me immature - I love PEREZ!
Huh - guess it should suck to live here then… but it doesn't since it's not an epidemic. This state is so strange in how one area is open to gays, one area closed, and then there's everything in between… a wee bit fragmented.
I wonder if it's not that there are more crimes, just that more people are coming forward about them.
Coming from Michigan this article really saddens me, especially since I go to WSU in Detroit. I know this is true from what I have seen, and I really hope that Michigan can make a step towards acceptance of all sexuality, and race.
I live in Michigan and I -nor any of my friends- are haters against gays and lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered. Even though Michigan is the worst state to live in economically, I never would have thought to see this. I just can't wait to get my farggin' ass out of this state. It's just another reason to leave it. Much love for Perez
LET'S GO RED WINGS!!! WE ARE GETTING STANLEY THIS YEARR!! CRUSHH THE PENGUINS!!!
I never even knew about that, neither do I hear it on the news. Anyways, I don't hate gays, I just think its wrong. Go ahead bash me, but whatever.
God Bless.
If you choose to live like it, fine with me. You will all pay the debt in the end.
Perez,
I live in the Detroit area and it is very gay friendly (City and Suburb). In fact, I think Ferndale, MI is one of the top gay friendly cities in America. It is sad that this results in violence. My thought is that a lot of this violence occurs outside the Detroit and in more rural areas. I know it says Michigan, but people automatically associate anything bad in Michigan with Detroit.
Re: JennBunney –
It's funny that you think that it's us northerners giving everyone else a bad name. Go to the Michigan State Police website - and although the newest information they have is the 2005 stats - I'm sure that it hasn't changed TOO much in the past three years. And although I realize that the article is about people coming out and reporting the incidents more than ever, this link just goes to show that out of 8 hate crimes committed and reported in the Upper Peninsula, not a single one of them was due to their sexuality.
I can guarantee you that when the 2008 stats come out, it will also show that the U.P. does not play a big part in hate crimes.
And who cares if people up here drink, hunt and listen to country music? Go to Detroit and you'll find the same thing (minus the majority listening to country.) I sure as hell feel a lot safer up here than I would living down there… there has only been 3 murders in the past 4-5 years up here (as far as I've researched.)
This makes me really ashamed to live in Michigan!!
but not everyone in Michigan is like that!! I know that I am not for suree!!
LOVE YOU PEREZ!!
we'll That article makes me sad. I always thought michigan was so open to diversities and being born and raised from michigan I truley apologize. I hate no one and truley believe in being who you are and not hiding it. I imagine the majority of the haters are probably from the U.P.
i live in michigan.
yeah, it sucks. more than i thought, obviously.
don't move here. it's a craphole.
[point- southeast michigan is where everything sucks. everywhere else is rural and doing okay. the northern most part, which is where i live, is actually stable. but it's still fricken cold.]
fuck michigan!
lol, we're talking about Metro Detroit! Violent crime happens to everyone. (And, yes I can say that because I'm from here).
to all who say they hate michigan because of it and that all people in michigan are like this, thats unfair. i know many nice people in michigan (i live there) and it really isnt like that.
just because we have some retards doesnt mean we all are
Re: Married To Moto –
It's not the U.P.! Seriously.. read my last comment. Go to the Michigan State Police website… the facts are there. It's downstate that has the problem.
HELP MICHIGAN!
Re: mdg650hawk –
White trash, racist, bigoted, homophobic, uneducated rednecks?Now I can see where you would think this, honestly. But at the same time, to make those remarks, I expect you to be submersed into Michigan for a year or two, and not just in one part, or see one thing on the news about a certain area.Yes we are in a terrible economic recess, and there are A LOT of people struggling. Unfortunatly, but not unlike the other 49 states, we have those who prey on others for their fullfillment, and ours just so happened to be published in the freepress and picked up by another website, broadcasted to a wider demographic. Michigan has 2 cities in the top 5 list of the "Most Dangerous Cities to Live". People are getting laid off right and left, people who ARE educated, who hold college degrees. Michigan is also home to the third richest county in America, and have two well known cities who have a popular gay following. You're remarks on how we're all rednecks, and trailer trash is completely bigoted on your behalf, and in turn, makes you look like an uneducated hillbilly.So go watch 8 Mile again, and continue on with your centralized thoughts that you can't even admit to owning, because they belong others.
Perez- come to Royal Oak and Ferndale and I will prove this artical wrong. Michigan has it's haters, just like every other state, but we're not all like this!
Being from Michigan, and queer… this makes me very sad.
This makes me sick to my stomach.. How can you tell people that being gay is a sickness? What is wrong w/ that state?? Why shouldn't people get health benefits because of their personal life? Homosexuals are not trying to force themselves down anyones throat, nor do they try to recruit heterosexuals. Humans are humans and we all deserve the same rights.
ha! welcome to the D! there are tons of awesome people here who don't attack people….but Michigan's gone to shit and people just want a scapegoat
WTF!!!??! more stats would be nice, just for some comparison. we must remember not to go there.
Re: sexisachoice –
explain to me how you "pay for" this choice… most people would agree that sexual object choice is just that- a choice. but i think few would agree that it has any effect on you. ass.
All of you Michigan haters can stay away…it will just keep our lakes cleaner.
FUCK U GO BLUE.
WAT-TOWN MICHIGAN BITCH!
FUCK YOU GO BLUE.
WAT-TOWN MICHIGAN BITCH!