The proliferation of of so-called “Hate crime laws” in America, which when applied, can unevenly determine which groups receive special status or protection, has resulted in affording certain groups the freedom from consequences while still others find themselves at the business end of the billy club.ĭebate over tying sexual identity and sexual preferences to civil rights protections is increasingly dividing Americans nationwide.
Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the hate crime of arson, as well as a year for the reckless use of explosives or fire, and 30 days for harassment. Adolfo Martinez, 30 stole the LGBTIQ flag from the Ames United Church of Christ in Iowa back in June. Since that time there have been numerous lawsuits over the act of desecrating the American flag, but no criminal charges or jail time has been given for the burning the flag. The Associated Press NEVADA, Iowa - A man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa. An Iowa man will spend 16 years behind bars after stealing a local church’s LGBTIQ flag and setting it alight. In contrast to the LGBTQ flag and protections, a debate over burning the American flag has raged in America since 1968 when protestors burned American flags to protest the military conflict in Vietnam. “But we believe God is still speaking to us through the Bible and through each other, through prayer, through worship and because of that we’ve been able to get to a place where we can affirm all of God’s children, including queer people,” Gebbie said.
“Yes, there are parts of the Bible that say pretty direct things about gay sex,” she said.