The Daily Home - Remembering Billy Jack Gaither

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Remembering Billy Jack Gaither

by Emily Adams

Feb 11, 2012 | 2404 views | 1

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Thirteen years after a Sylacauga mans brutal murder, his memory lives on. A vigil in honor of Billy Jack Gaither, a 39-year-old Sylacaugan killed in 1999, is planned for Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. on the steps of the state Capitol. The event, hosted by Equality Alabama, remembers those lost as victims of hate and violence against sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Billy Jack Gaithers story puts a local face on a national phenomenon, said Ralph Young of Equality Alabama. We want to remind the government and citizens that while these crimes are often national stories, there are people in Alabama facing the same challenges. Gaither was murdered Feb. 19, 1999. His throat was cut and his body bludgeoned with an axe handle before he was thrown onto a pile of tires and set on fire. George Olsson, a founder of the Gaither vigil and supporter of Equality Alabama, said the killing was indescribable. I remember the call I got saying there was a possible hate crime in Sylacauga, Olsson said. Once I found out what happened, I just couldnt believe the brutality of it. And to add to it, Alabama reported no hate crimes that year, so thats what we were up against. Olsson said the vigil was started as a way to honor Gaithers memory. With approval from his family, we held it a month after the murder, Olsson said. Over the years it has moved from Gaither specifically and become more about hate crimes in general. Its a way to keep the issue alive. Next Sundays vigil is part of Equality Alabamas goal to amend Alabamas hate crime law. On the anniversary of Billy Jack Gaithers murder, we gather because Alabamas people deserve fully-inclusive protections against unwarranted violence, Equality Alabama said in a press release. Alabama legislators have overlooked those at risk by omitting sexual orientation, gender identity and expression from policy requirements. We can wait no longer. Young said sexual orientation and gender identity are among the top five causes for hate crimes according to FBI crime reports. Its a big problem, yet there is nothing in Alabamas hate crime law to protect against it, Young said. Its a glaring hole that needs to be addressed. Young said there has been progress for equality since the days of Gaithers murder, but there is still a long way to go. He said a statewide poll conducted by Equality Alabama last year showed the majority of Alabama supports sexual orientation protections for schools and workplaces. This was the first time the majority voted in favor, Young said. Especially for safe schools, 69

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2/24/2012 4:33 PM

The Daily Home - Remembering Billy Jack Gaither

http://www.dailyhome.com/view/full_story/17496027/article-Remember...

percent voted yes. Were taking some forward steps. The organization will also present the fourth annual Billy Jack Gaither Humanitarian Award at the vigil. This years award goes to James Robinson of GLBT Advocacy and Youth Services in Huntsville. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has shown courage in the struggle against hatred and contributed to the creation of a just society, the organization said in a statement. The event is cosponsored by Alabama NOW, Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, New Hope Metropolitan Community Church, PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays) Montgomery, the Alabama Safe Schools Coalition, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Montgomery and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Contact Emily Adams at eadams@dailyhome.com. Share This Article | similar stories Gaither taking over as new EMA director | 2 years ago Ladies event today at church in Sylacauga | 5 months ago Comer looks to break losing streak against Childersburg | 6 months ago EMA, courts seek funding to keep employees | 6 months ago Sylacauga plans for disaster relief | 28 days ago

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Phaeton |
February 11, 2012

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Jesus and Christianity caused this murder without a doubt.. Here is the evidence of ACCESSORY of MURDER against the one called Jesus. Romans 1:26-32 King James Version (KJV) 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are WORTHY OF DEATH , not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them Here is what the all powerful loving god of Christianity has to say on the subject : Leviticus 20:13 King James Version (KJV) 13If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be PUT TO DEATH; their blood shall be upon them.

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2/24/2012 4:33 PM

The Daily Home - Remembering Billy Jack Gaither

http://www.dailyhome.com/view/full_story/17496027/article-Remember...

Anyone who practices this evil religion are accessories to murder themselves. Christianity is perhaps the greatest evil on the planet and remains popular because of the ignorance of those who cannot read. Reply
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2/24/2012 4:33 PM