Gay Gilbert Couple terrorized, Police says it is their fault for being gay

[dbackjon]

Friends of mine, Roy and Felix, adopted four kids a few years back, including a child who is handicapped

Roy and Felix are an interracial couple - Felix is hispanic, Roy is white. A couple of the kids are Hispanic.

They recently moved to Gilbert from North Phoenix - every since then, they have had items burned on their lawns, racist and anti-gay notes attached to cars, people pounding on their doors in the middle of the night, yelling at them, and finally, a break in where graffitti was sprayed in the house last week.

Police have been called 9 times - and each time, Roy and Felix were made to feel as if the problem was their fault for being gay, hispanic, having handicapped children, etc.

Roy and the kids are too scared to stay at the house - and are now staying with his sister.

Fortunately, friends of the couple have mobilized - starting a facebook page, contacting media, local officials, etc.

It is helping - Felix had a meeting yesterday with the Gilbert Hate Crimes Unit, and with Gilbert Internal Affairs. Congressman Flake's office has been in contact.

I contacted a friend yesterday that works for a local news station - they sent a reporter over right away - this is the broadcast from last night's news?

http://www.azcentral.com/video/1662294353001

[catbyte]

1. Wow.

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI & mom to Leo, Taz & Nigel, members of Dogs Against Romney, Cat Division
"Dogs Aren’t Luggage--HISS!”

[dbackjon]

2. Update from friend helping them out:

RECAP: Felix and I met with the Gilbert Police for 4 hours yesterday. Felix's family has had vandalism, arson, home break-in and harassment for 10 weeks. The Officers we met with tried to convince us these were the actions of "Dilinquent Youth"!?!?!? And it was a Neighborhood "Thing" yet no other home owner has reported Fires, Graffiti or Home Entry and Vandalism INSIDE the home. If, say 10 strai...ght families had fires set in their front yards and then had their homes entered and vandalized, doyou think the Gilbert police or the HOA would be so nonchalant about this issue? Please write Gilbert Mayor Lewis at mayor.gilbertaz.gov and Police Chief Dorn at timdorn.gilbertaz.gov to express your concerns that the Gilbert police are not taking this Hate Crime Seriously

[JackBeck]

3. Your post just hit Towleroad.

The LGBT blogs will completely amplify this. Keep pressuring the police and electeds.

http://www.towleroad.com/2012/05/azcouple.html

[dbackjon]

4. Wow - internet moves FAST!

[JackBeck]

8. And now it's on Queerty:

http://www.queerty.com/watch-arizona-gay-couple-with-kids-are-terrorized-in-own-home-20120530/

[Fearless]

9. +1

[kjazzingilbert]

13. at least send an email

I sent an email to both Mayor Lewis and Chief Dorn. The addresses are [email protected] and [email protected] I believe. Not mayor. or timdorn..


Dear Mayor Lewis,

I have been a Gilbert resident for about 15 years now. I love my home and my community but now I am concerned about what is going on in Gilbert, how it has changed, and about it's future.

Recently I have been neighbor to two different horrific crimes. First was the neo-nazi shooting in my neigborhood by Ready. That was shocking enough. And now hate crimes terrorizing this Gilbert family with four beautiful children. What kind of town am I living in? I have to wonder what kind of message does this send to potential future businesses that are thinking of locating in our town?

When I moved here years ago I chose Gilbert because it seemed like a safe, lawful place to live and raise a family. Now I'm not so sure.

Please see that these hate crimes are investigated thoroughly by our Gilbert Police Department so that ALL families will once again feel safe and welcomed in our community.

Sincerely,

[Skinner]

14. Great email.

Welcome to DU.

[kjazzingilbert]

16. response from the chief

I just got a very thorough and personal response from the Chief of Police. Given his response I can't say that his department is nonchalant about these crimes. Of course that's coming from his point of view. Just a part of the response follows:

Contrary to what is being reported in the media, the Gilbert Police Department is actively investigating these incidents. The initial responding officer to the last incident identified potential leads and conducted follow up on those leads. We have assigned a bias crimes detective, who is being assisted by her supervisor. They have spent numerous hours attempting to identify other leads and evidence. We would very much like to identify the person or persons responsible in order to hold them accountable for their actions by charging them with the appropriate criminal charges. We take these incidents, and all reported crimes, very seriously.

[duhneece]

5. I love the activism, but hate the need for it! nt

[johnnypneumatic]

6. what makes you think Flake will help?

He is a mormon extremist sociopath republican.
This is probably a mormon neighborhood, Gilbert and Mesa are dominated by mormons, and they run the police departments. They also have undue influence in the state legislature.
They are homophobic and racist so... good luck with getting help.
My partner and I used to live in east Mesa for 2 years. We were similarly unwelcome, and so we moved to Ahwatukee instead. If there is a Mormon church down the street, then forget it and move.

[LanSensei]

7. Want to add my support!

What is the Facebook page so that we can offer our support to this family?

[smeejay]

10. Facebook Page

Any information that we can use to let this family know that they are not alone would be greatly appreciated. Facebook page, website, etc...Thanks and know that you are not alone.

[DURHAM D]

11. I hope things get better.

Scared kids break my heart.

[dbackjon]

12. Facebook group

http://www.facebook.com/groups/275755969189179/277395099025266/?notif_t=group_comment_reply

[RetiredTrotskyite]

15. Not At All Surprised--This Is Glibert

Unblievable but I can see it happening. Gilbert is moron, er Mormon Heaven. My husband used to live there. This is entirely in keeping with their bigotry and ignoance and their being an interracial couple is probably setting them off even more. I hope that they will be OK. Good that they have some back up. This is unacceptable.