Equality Florida Calls on State Law Enforcement to Respond to Increase in Anti-Gay Hate Violence: Local Murder Feared Latest Assault on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community
(Tampa) The apparent murder of Michael Wachholtz, who’s body was found Tuesday in the Town & Country Section of Tampa Bay, has rekindled fear that the rise in hate violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community has claimed another victim.

This tragic news coupled with the rash of hate crimes and an increase in anti-LGBT hate violence across the state, has prompted Equality Florida to demand a strong response from state law enforcement officials and Attorney General Charlie Crist, whose office tracks hate motivated attacks.

In the last 16 months Tampa Bay has seen dozens of reports of anti-LBGT harassment, at least three serious physical attacks on gay men and at least two (and possibly as many as five) murders of LGBT people. In similar instances targeting other communities, the Attorney General’s office and other government agencies have launched public education campaigns and have worked to reduce hate and bias-related crimes.

Both national and statewide statistics indicate that antigay violence is at an all time high. The FBI recently reported that antigay violence crimes committed during 2002 represent 17 percent of all hate crime, the highest level ever.

Florida reports an even worse record. While overall hate crime is down, anti-gay violence jumped 33% in 2002 and race based violence jumped 24%.

“The state’s own statistics show that hate crimes that target the LGBT community have increased dramatically in Florida,” said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida. “While we wait for the facts of the case to come to light, we should not have to wait for law enforcement and the government to respond to what is clearly a problem of our community being targeted.”

Both Michael and another missing person, Jason Galehouse, disappeared within 24 hours of each other around December 20th. Equality Florida is highly concerned at the similarities of the two cases men and rumors of additional missing gay. Both young men were white gay males, both age 26, and both were last reported seen in the same general area, although not together. Both men had close friends and family who were not contacted through the holidays.

We are asking the community to provide any information as to the whereabouts of Jason Galehouse to the Tampa Police Department at (813) 276-3507.

Equality Florida is further concerned at the similarities between the circumstances under which Michael’s body was found and that of another murder victim found in November in a Starbucks’ parking lot at Westshore and Kennedy. It is not know if that victim was an openly gay male.

Equality Florida is also encouraging everyone to be more vigilant about their personal safety and that of their loved ones, especially those that are members of the LGBT community, said Brian Winfield, Communications Director for Equality Florida.

“Do not leave public places with unknown individuals. If you do, be sure to introduce them to a friend or an employee of the establishment. If you have friends that live alone, call them regularly to check in,” Winfield said.

from Brian Winfield at Equlity Florida