The Human Rights Campaign released the
following statement in response to a brutal attack against a lesbian in
Lincoln, Nebraska, during which home invaders bound the victim, carved
anti-LGBT slurs into her skin, and set her house on fire.
“The accounts of the violence inflicted upon this woman are truly
horrific,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “We
have confidence that the Lincoln Police Department will thoroughly
investigate this crime and take swift and appropriate action to bring
the perpetrators to justice. No one should ever have to live in fear
simply because of who they are. Our thoughts are with the victim and we
wish her a full recovery. This act of violence is a jarring reminder
that we have much work to do in creating environments where all members
of our community feel safe living honestly and openly, and where crimes
motivated by one’s sexual orientation or gender identity are never
tolerated.”
Nebraska has a hate crimes statute that covers crimes motivated by a
victim’s sexual orientation. Federal authorities also may have
jurisdiction over the crime as a result of the Matthew Shepard and James
Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
HRC is alerting both the FBI and the Justice Department to this crime.
