Using a tragedy in a Machiavellian sense

First of all, I apologize for not posting for the past two days.

As I have said before in a past post, South Carolina has been embroiled in a serious fight concerning one of those bothersome "we need to protect marriage" amendments. Subsequently, much of my time has been devoted to getting the word out.

Despite the fact that no one has given my community any chance of beating the amendment back, we have made excellent ground. Gays in South Carolina are more organized and more aligned togther than any other time ever in the history of this state.

But then I also believe in miracles and upsets and I have my fingers crossed.

On a more serious note, a recent trial has demonstrated how the anti-gay industry will continue to manipulate public events in order to demonize the gay community.

The trial involves a 22-year-old man who raped and brutally murdered an older woman, Mary Stachowicz.

Here is the part that tweaks the ears of Peter LaBarbera and other so-called "pro family" experts: The man is claiming he did it because the woman made fun of him for being gay and tried to "change" his orientation.

Now this is a defense allegation and it is purely sketchy. It is also worth mentioning that Ms. Stachowicz was robbed.

But the interesting thing about the entire trial is how the anti-gay industry reports it as compared to the legitimate news media:

Prosecutor Says (Homosexual) 'Monster' Nicholas Gutierrez also Raped Chicago Catholic Mother, Mary Stachowicz, as Trial Begins - (http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/638121334.html)

Woman's death at hands of 'gay' her fault, says lawyer
Trial begins over death of Christian who questioned homosexual lifestyle choice - (http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52711)

Man Raped and Murdered Woman because she Vocally Opposed Gay Lifestyle says Defense Lawyer - (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/nov/06110202.html)

Now a look at a legitimate newspaper does include the detail that the defense is using a "she wouldn't leave him alone because he was gay" defense but one added this:

Raymond Scacchitti, 42, testified in the trial of Nicholas Gutierrez, 23, charged in the Nov. 13, 2002, slaying of Mary Stachowicz, 51.The two men, who also worked at the F.J. Sikorski Funeral Home, lived in an apartment above the business where Stachowicz's body was found in a crawl space. Scacchitti said Stachowicz knew he and Gutierrez were gay and never questioned them about their lifestyle." - (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0610290301oct29,1,4088569,print.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed)

This is just an allegation from a witness in the trial but I noticed how none of the so-called "pro family" sites included the above detail.

Now no one really knows why Ms. Stachowicz was murdered and frankly, I personally don't care. It should not have happened. My heart and prayers go out to her and her family.

But I cannot stand to see how the anti-gay industry is exploiting her death. They are comparing her case to that of Matthew Shepard in an attempt to prove a bias against Christians:

"Mary Stachowicz will never be remembered the way Matthew Shepard is, thus showing how politically corrupt the whole concept of hate crime legislation really is." - Catholic League President William Donohue

Mr. Donohue and the rest have already attempted to attack the gay community for the crime. I noticed how in many of their articles and press releases, the charge of "media bias" and "no comments from pro-gay groups" are tossed around.

Apparently they can't wait until the trial is over to manipulate the facts.