Detroit attack could spur gay rights law

[Placebo]

Source: Associated Press

Andrew Anthos had many passions in life, including old movies, legendary Hollywood screen sirens and a 20-year campaign to illuminate the state Capitol dome in red, white and blue one night a year. While he never hid that he was gay, he was no gay rights activist.

But after dying of injuries suffered last month in what witnesses portrayed as a gay-bashing, the 72-year-old Anthos has become a powerful symbol in a campaign to amend federal and state hate-crime laws to protect gays.

"The whole point is making sure that people have equal rights in the legal system, people aren't picked on or threatened just because they look or act differently," said state Sen. Hansen Clarke, who plans to introduce legislation to amend Michigan's Ethnic Intimidation Act.

According to police and family members, the Detroit man was riding a city bus home from the library on Feb. 13, singing along quietly to Spanish music on his headphones. A young man asked him if he was gay and called him a "faggot." Anthos ignored him.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070322/ap_on_re_us/gay_man_s_death

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So sad.

[TedsGarage]

1. Light the Dome!

I met Andrew Anthos when he was living in Lansing, pursuing his dream of lighting the state Capitol dome red, white and blue. A sweeter man never lived. I hope the legislature passes an "Anthos Law" against hate crimes, and lights the dome in his memory.

[Faygo Kid]

6. He was a gentle character - enriched the community

I lived in Lansing in the late '80s and early '90s, and loved to see Athos out on the corners with his "Light the Dome" signs waving little U.S. flags and getting drivers going by to honk their horns. Nasty and brutish Bushworld that we live in now, isn't it?

[susanna]

2. This was horrific for many in Detroit.

He was a well-known personage all around town, and even in the state capitol, Lansing. I have not yet come to grips with what happened, because frankly I do not know how to do so.

Andrew was well known in this world. Whoever did this, well, they should hope for so much love and acceptance. Light the Dome!

on edit: clarification in subject

[xchrom]

3. indeed, very sad.

the human thing they could do is pass a hate crimes in his memory.

[dsc]

4. portrayed as a hate crime?

The man gets called a faggot, hit with a pipe after he confirms he is gay, and left for dead with no attempt to rob him. It doesn't take Monk to figure out the motive here.

[maddezmom]

5. this article ran today in Southbend

glad to see it was still in the news.