Gay Teen Killed, Burned, Decapitated & Dismembered In Puerto Rico
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16 November 2009 | 10 Comments
On a day when some angry fool is getting press by saying we should be mad about HIV, here’s something we should really get mad about.. An adorable, 19 y.o. gay kid (George Steven Lopez Mercado) was killed in Puerto Rico. But not just killed. He was decapitated, dismembered, partially burned, and then left by the roadside. And it doesn’t end there – the investigating officer says he deserved what he got because he was gay. God, I’d love to be in a room alone with that officer – I’d beat the crap out of him.
We’re being killed on a consistent basis. Many of the people who are getting killed are minorities and either fem or trans. The people around them just won’t accept who they are and think they’re worthy of death. Even if you’re butch and white (like me) this should bother you – deeply.
Make sure your straight (and gay) friends know about this and other killings – like Lawrence King. Even with under-reporting, the FBI says there are 4 anti-gay hate crimes each day and we’ve seen documented periods where one of us is getting killed every 8 days – and that’s just in the US – it doesn’t even start to capture what’s happening worldwide in places like Iraq.
wow i saw this report on 365gay…….its a fucking shame…..they burned this young guy n decapitated n dismembered …..n the fucking police states…..thats what happeneds when ur GAY.wow
Thanks for posting about this, Rawtop. The fact that this is still happening in 2009 is… what? Unacceptable, yes. Also unthinkable. And so, so frustrating, sad, awful, despicable… devastating.
And Iraq is a whole different level to the problem. The fact that there’s no asylum policy in place by any country regarding LGBT Iraqis is a travesty. I’ve written Chuck Schumer three times requesting he take a leadership role on that. I haven’t even gotten the usual form letter in response.
damn shame
@ domtop and arod: this is more than a damn shame. it’s disgusting, appalling and frankly, barbaric. we should be making sure the media bring this to the attention of the public because these types of things should not be. EVER. sadly, this is what happens when people allow themselves to be enflamed and infected by religious fervor and the conservative republicans who would like to take away all of our rights; as gays, as minorities, as non-republicans, as non-conservatives.
when i was growing up, my uncles used to call the puerto rican police, “perros” spanish for dogs. apparently, they are still exactly that. and yet these are the same men that under the influence, will take you out for a spin on some dark, country road, pop a load down ur throat and then leave u there. fun as fantasy but NOT as reality.
thanks for posting RT. though it sickens me to hear that my own brethren were responsible for this it is something that needs to be put out there.
I am glad you had the decency to mention this murder–the only thing more disgusting than something like this taking place is the response of the authorities. It is insanity for anyone, most especially the police, to say he deserved this. And I am with the angry young man saying we should be mad about HIV. Sorry but if having a disease is “one of the best things that could have happened” to your life you have major issues.
@ rawtop: I agree with you on the Lopez Mercado murder, that is something to get furious about. Just wished you could have left Mike Alvear (“angry fool”) out of it, because what he says is mostly correct. (Not necessarily the “get angry” part. Everyone needs to find his own way of dealing with things. For some getting angry works, for others finding God. Who are we to judge.).
HIV/AIDS as the logical path to spiritual enlightenment is indeed a crock of shit. “HIV is not your friend, it isn’t your enemy either. It just *is.*”. In the same way people are what they are.
If you are a strong individual, HIV will get you to muster all of that strength.
If you are a horndog, HIV is not gonna change that.
But if you suffer from depression, HIV will play into that as well.
We shouldn’t give HIV/AIDS too much influence over our lives by romanticizing it, and that goes for neg guys who advertise this BS out of survivor’s guilt as well.
As I said before, I agree with you on the “getting mad” part. But that was only 15% of Alvear’s article and I’m quite sure he was talking about gays in general, not conscientious barebackers. In this context you are totally wrong with your assumption that “with very rare exceptions guys know the risk”. The vast majority of infections happens in relationships where one partner is dishonest about his status, former sex life or current affairs on the side – or between fuck buddies. Fact! On a personal note: A friend of mine recently “got pozzed” by his ex with whom he still hooked up from time to time. Of course he got bareback porn on his PC and fantasized about a raw gang bang, but is was his ex who swore that he was neg who infected him. Most guys aren’t like you – and me for that matter ;).
And of course one shouldn’t be alarmist about HIV, but one should also call out those who romanticize the virus. The middle ages are also romantic, and I still wouldn’t wish starvation and plague on my worst enemies. You cannot be a humanitarian and perpetuate the myth that “suffering ennobles” you.
I always come back to that central line, which I find both wise and true: “HIV is not your friend, it isn’t your enemy either. It just *is.*” Therefore we shouldn’t read more into HIV than it is. The belief that it has the power to make you a better person is dangerous bullshit. Saying that HIV has changed one for the better is a valid coping mechanism, but NOT a valid truth. You say that, but in reality you’re just as much of an asshole or saint as before. And I know what I’m talking about, I sometimes do the same (not with regard to HIV, it’s a different disability).
And by the way: It isn’t retirement / old age that’s being stolen from you, it’s the next 10-15 years. Having a chronic disease changes your mindset, it ages you. And most guys show. Again, on a personal note: I totally dig Active Duty bareback porn.. nothing like the natural look of a young man’s body. I don’t care much about the HAART-chic, some Treasure Island porn looks like a Body Worlds Expo.
I firmly believe in three things:
a.) The world would be a better place without HIV – bareback fucking for all like in the 1970s. Yeah!
b.) You shouldn’t politicize bareback sex. You shouldn’t try to prove that it’s good for you. It’s fun – that’s enough.
c.) Karma’s a bitch. If you’re open about your status, your sex life and your personal risk taking you get rewarded tenfold. If you lie and “stealth” other guys you’re just being egoistic or feeding an addiction. And that usually equals terribly bad sex.
It is very sad. The guy who killed him was around his same age, he had been in jail before where he was gang raped, so when he got out and was looking for a hooker he found this boy dressed like a woman, and got angry when he realized that he was bait-and-switched. It is extremely sad. I wish we could all buy a country where we can be free, would be nice.