HATE CRIME COMES TO POLK COUNTY

I actually learned about this incident early this morning before leaving for work, and was saddened --- but not totally surprised --- that this despicable type of act could occur here in Polk County.

A gay couple who lives in a mobile home park north of Lakeland had their television and computer stolen Monday night, with their trailer set on fire and the words "Die Fag" spray painted on the front steps.

25-year-old Paul Day has been open about his homosexuality for more than a decade, with he and partner Christopher Robertson being the target of occasional vandals. Rocks thrown through windows, shotgun blasts aimed at their mailbox. But Monday evening's incident went far beyond what has happened before.

While authorities have ruled the fire an arson, they have not decided on treating it as a hate crime. There shouldn't be a second thought on the issue: The apparant evidence clearly screams for it be treated as such.

Patrick Jones with Equality Polk County puts it so well in an e-mail he sent early this morning:

In a Nation, were we look with pride to our exploration of the stars, It makes me wonder why cant we first have pride and peace here on Earth, or in our own lives.

And BTW: Day, who is also asthmatic and now obviously homeless, has been reportedly informed by his landlord that the rent is still to be paid. And the computer which was stolen was filled with information related to Robertson's remodeling business.

Anyone who can help this couple should consider doing so. Click this link to e-mail Patrick Jones with Equality Polk County, who is working with Mssers. Day and Robertson in their recovery.