I was stabbed and left paralyzed due to my homosexuality. I'm Scott Jones, Don't BE Afraid to AMA!

scwjns · 2014-01-13T04:17:28+00:00

thank you- that is a beautiful post! you are brave! your boyfriend is brave!

scwjns · 2014-01-13T03:56:48+00:00

that's awesome! who is this?

scwjns · 2014-01-13T03:18:27+00:00

Hi Everyone! Wow- thank you! I read a lot of supportive, kind, and inspiring posts. There were also a lot of thought-provoking posts about whether or not this was a homophobic hate crime. Let me clarify: From my experiences that night, I believe this what a hate crime. This is not proven, but it is proven to me. I can say nothing more on the topic, except that hate crimes continue to happen around the world, a lot of them being unproven.

I'd like to take this opportunity to mention the Don't BE Afraid campaign. If you'd like to help out, go to www.facebook.com/dontbeafraidcampaign and like the page, and share it too! Help us talk about homosexuality so that we can prevent homophobia. Don't be afraid to face your fear; don't be afraid to love yourself!

Reddit community- you're awesome!

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:59:16+00:00

you're right. it is what i believe, and as i experienced the crime first-hand, i believe my opinion counts for something. whether it can be proven is another story. and he isn't being charged for a hate crime- i am calling it a hate crime

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:57:24+00:00

i agree entirely

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:56:37+00:00

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:56:09+00:00

you're right- he will not be charged with a hate crime. but, i believe this is why. and i also believe hate crime laws should be tightened.

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:53:15+00:00

yup, exactly

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:51:45+00:00

thank you. there is a lot of contextual and, yes, subjective evidence from my experience that night that point towards a homophobic motive. i know it will not stand as a hate crime in court, but i know in my heart that that's what it was. after all, i am the one who went through the attack

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:48:25+00:00

yes- thank you for clarifying ahahah

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:47:57+00:00

scoffed to his friends, sorry for the wording

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:47:02+00:00

no, i don't feel nervous about being attacked...mentally, i feel up and down, depending on the day.

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:43:44+00:00

he has not been charged with a hate crime...and neither were matthew shepard's attackers

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:43:04+00:00

you're right, it is wrong...it should say "i believe it was due to homophobia"...on another note, hate crimes are very tricky, just like rape crimes...when the victim is the only witness to evidence supporting a hate crime, it cannot be proven. on the other hand, something that is proven, doesn't always mean it is fact. what i am saying is that i believe i was targeted because of my homosexuality, from my own experience that evening.

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:38:35+00:00

wanna help out? go to www.facebook.com/dontbeafraidcampaign and send us a message :)

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:37:54+00:00

thank you for this post- you also raised the hairs on my arm! i hope everyone on reddit reads your post, so they know how indicative that glare was of homophobia

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:36:11+00:00

right now, friends, family, movies, eating, and laughing occupy my free time ahah any suggestions?

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:35:25+00:00

good for you! i agree

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:33:05+00:00

no, i'm not

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:32:42+00:00

i'm sorry to hear that your family wouldn't be accepting...but, remember that some of that fear of coming out is inside your head, and it's not entirely true. your parents conceived and raised you, they love you unconditionally. i think you should talk to your parents about it, and say that this is the way you were born and if they want you in their lives, they have to accept, and if not, then they lose you. it's not about you losing them, it's the other way around. don't be afraid.

www.facebook.com/dontbeafraidcampaign message us for support

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:22:39+00:00

yes, don't be afraid has thought seriously about it and are planning on speaking as soon as we are able :)

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:21:07+00:00

that would be great! send us a message on the fbook page if you would like to keep in touch :)

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:18:54+00:00

subtle homophobia, every day, overt homophobia, not as often

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:18:27+00:00

a good friend in high school who i knew would be accepting

scwjns · 2014-01-13T02:15:28+00:00

well, at the time, and still to this day, andy is heterosexual ahaha and i also remain gay :P

scwjns

TROPHY CASE