University students signed an oversized card Wednesday to show their support and prayers for Lawrence “Larry” King. The Gays, Bisexuals, Lesbians, Supporters United set up the oversized card in Free Speech Alley asking University students to sign it. GBLSU plans to send the card to King’s family. King, a 15-year-old boy from Oxnard, Calif., was murdered Feb. 12 by Brandon McInerney. King was openly gay and prosecutors are seeking to charge McInerney as an adult with gun possession and murder as a premeditated hate crime, according to The New York Times. “I was shocked,” said Mia Hegwood, kinesiology freshman. “I just wish we knew how to prevent it.” Stephen Demouy, accounting freshman and GBLSU vice president, said the organization wanted to do something for King and his family. “[We want] to let the family know there are other areas that recognize hate crimes and are doing something about it,” said Taylor Chustz, GBLSU member and international studies and computer science freshman. Demouy also said this hate crime was not an isolated incident; it was just the most publicized. “I think it’s horrible for someone to get killed over their sexual orientation,” said Megan Landry, English senior. About 15.6 percent of hate crime offenses in the United States targeted homosexuals, according to the FBI’s 2006 Hate Crime Statistics. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are currently 844 active hate groups in the United States. In Louisiana, there are 24 hate groups, including the Black Separatists, Ku Klux Klan, White Nationalists and Neo-Nazis. California, where the murder occurred, has 63 active hate groups – more than any state in the country. Demouy said he is surprised the incident happened in California. He said he thought California was more “open-minded.” “This kind of shows where people are at in this country,” said Carly Zimmerman, vocal music education freshman. “We’re wrapped up in things that shouldn’t be an issue.” Lillian Charles, pre-arts and sciences junior, said it is a shame that kids are killing each other over meaningless things. “It has to be an outside source to have brought him up to believe this is acceptable [behavior],” Demouy said. Demouy, who is openly gay, said he thinks it is a possibility that he could be a victim of a hate crime. “But going around living in fear will maintain their power over me,” Demouy said. Chustz said hate crimes are the result of ignorance. “As you become more open-minded, you’re more aware of the issues,” Chustz said. Zimmerman said these people have not taken the time to think about what they are doing. “Everybody is different in their own ways,” Zimmerman said. “And you have to have respect.” Landry said hate crimes usually happen because there are several social institutions that spread hatred. “Some people argue that hate speech is free speech, but I’m not sure how I feel about that,” Landry said. David Johnston, University alumni and United Methodist Campus Ministry intern, said the murder shows there is still a lot of stigma attached to being gay. “They don’t understand their feelings for [homosexuality], and it comes out as violence,” Johnston said. According to The New York Times, if McInerney is convicted of the murder and gun possession, he would serve a minimum sentence of 52 years in prison. Demouy said he does not agree with the charges prosecutors are seeking because McInerney is only 14. He said one family has already suffered, and another family does not need to go through the same thing.
—-Contact J.J. Alcantara at [email protected]