Truth, Lies and In Between

2 men, teen charged in gang rape of lesbian

MARTINEZ, California —  Two men and a teenager were charged Tuesday in the alleged gang rape of a lesbian in the San Francisco Bay area.

I am wondering why her sexual persuasion is even mentioned. In my opinion it is not the issue that should be addressed. The issue that should be addressed solely is the fact that this woman was gang raped by some very sorry individuals. I am also curious of their immigration status, that could play a part in this as well.

Humberto Hernandez Salvador, 31, and Josue Gonzalez, 21, were charged with kidnapping, carjacking and gang rape in the attack last month in Richmond.

Hate-crime enhancements were added to charges against Salvador, which could mean a more severe sentence if he is convicted. Authorities say the woman was taunted for being a lesbian during the 45-minute assault. Salvador was also charged with being armed with a gun.

The pair did not enter pleas when they appeared in Contra Costa County Superior Court, but they asked to be represented by court-appointed attorneys. Bail was set at $2.2 million for Salvador and $1.9 million for Gonzalez. Both were being held at the county jail.

They face a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty, prosecutors said.

And they should receive said sentence if convicted. Taunting a woman by calling her a lesbian doesn’t sit well with me as a “hate crime” enhancement. That is an all too common thing to say to a woman by jerks anyway. Regardless of sexual orientation. “Hate crime” is ridiculous in and of itself. Any crime that is committed that entails violence such as this is a crime of hate. Your skin color, or sexual orientation doesn’t have shit to do with it.

Darrell Hodges, 16, was charged as an adult with similar offenses Monday. A 15-year-old boy whose name has not been released was also arrested last week on suspicion of participating in the attack.

The woman, who lives with a female partner, was attacked Dec. 13 after she got out of her car, according to investigators. She was raped multiple times inside and outside the vehicle and left naked outside an abandoned building, police said.

Just the facts as it should be. Teenagers that are involved in crimes such as this should be charged as adults and have to pay the same penalty if found guilty.

Richmond police say they have received hundreds of calls from across America offering money and support for the woman.

“The crimes that were committed at face value were shocking,” Lt. Mark Gagan said. “But when it was revealed there was also a hate crime enhancement, it really prompted outcry.”

Where is the outcry when this happens to a woman that is not a lesbian? Just some plain Jane white woman gets gang raped, is there an outcry? Never heard of one.

Richmond is a city of about 100,000 across the bay from San Francisco. It has one of California’s highest homicide rates.

Time to arm the citizens. In fact, “shall issue” should be the state’s mantra instead of “may issue” concealed carry firearms. Allow the citizens to defend themselves and the homicide rate would be one of the lowest in the country, instead of the highest.

Gay rights advocates and bloggers have highlighted the attack as an example of violence against gays and lesbians. Supporters have also been working to raise money for the woman, her partner and her daughter as they deal with the trauma of the attack.

“The idea that a peace-loving lesbian was minding her own business, was attacked and gang-raped is an outrage. And people are stepping forward,” said Betty Sullivan of San Francisco, who runs a Web site and e-mail list publicizing gay and lesbian events.

Sullivan is publicizing several fundraisers for the woman, known among her supporters as Richmond Jane Doe. Support is driven not just by anger but by a sense among gays and lesbians that they, too, could have been targets, she said.

“We know it could have been any of us,” Sullivan said.

Wow! A peace loving lesbian! Give me a fucking break. This isn’t about violence against gays and lesbians. This is about violence in a city that is known for its violence and has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that this woman is a lesbian. The odds of a lesbian being raped in the San Fran freako area is rather high, and since Richmond is right there, it makes sense to me that it was a lesbian. To the attackers, she was just another victim. Her sexual orientation to the attackers was female, alone and in a bad area. Didn’t have shit to do with her sexual preferences.
To me, this is just the media and the gay lobby trying to bring sympathy for their lifestyle and to portray them as the never ending victim of hate.

I feel sorry for this woman for what she went through. I hope justice prevails in this. Don’t cast this as a hate crime because of your sexual preferences. It was already a hate crime without the lesbian tag. Idiots.