Intersections of Racism and Homophobia

On December 25th, I listened with great intensity to KBOO's coverage of the New Jersey 7 and the analysis of the intersections of racism and homophobia in the media and in the courts.

The New Jersey 7 is a group of young African American queer women who were attacked in a traditionally queer friendly neighborhood in New York City. After the attack--where they defended themselves against a man yelling homophobic and sexually harassing slurs, who threw a lit cigarette at one woman and pulled the hair extension out of another woman's hair--the 7 women were portrayed in the media as a "lesbian gang" and each now has a relationship with the criminal justice system, through plea bargain or sentences ranging from 3 1/2 to 11 years.

Follow this link to the Free Speech Radio News report of the New Jersey 7. The show is about an hour, and so well worth the listen.


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