Sweden has long been regarded as one of the most progressive countries in the world when it comes to LGBT rights. In 1944, the Swedes legalized same-sex sexual activity, but homosexuality was still classified as a mental illness until 1979. The country has long acknowledged the rights of transgendered people. In 1972, Sweden was the first country in the world to allow transsexuals to legally change their gender after meeting strict criteria. It’s one of the most socially liberal countries not only in Europe, but in the world. Nonetheless, there are still people with negative attitudes toward the LCBT community.
Generosity Repaid With Murder?
In June 2015, a 54-year-old homosexual man was found murdered in his apartment. This man was dressed as a woman, and was beaten and stabbed to death. In addition, the police found a snake wrapped around his neck. This individual lived with his partner in Bergsjön, east Gothenburg, and the police pieced together the evidence to determine a 16-year-old male asylum-seeker from North Africa had killed the man.
As the story has been reported, the asylum-seeker was living in the park with another friend. The victim, dressed as female and wearing a wig, approached the two and offered to let them take a shower and clean up. When they got back to the apartment, the wig of the victim came off and the 16-year-old became angry. Police recovered a video from the teen’s phone which showed the victim being beaten and lying on the floor as the two teenagers robbed the flat.
The prosecutor is labeling the killing a hate crime, because the motive for the murder is the sexual orientation of the man. The trial began on December 18. As of this writing, there is no update on the outcome. For the record, the age of consent in Sweden is 15. The 16-year-old claimed self-defense because the victim was trying to force him to have sex. The 19-year-old friend is being charged with protecting a criminal, as he admitted to being in the apartment.
Stunned Reactions
The LGBT community has to be stunned that this could happen in a country considered Europe’s most gay-friendly country by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. Obviously, the murder was a gross overreaction to a gesture of friendship and generosity. Regardless of where anyone stands on the issues of gay rights, this level of violence cannot be condoned anywhere.
In the United States, the FBI reports that about 20.8 percent of hate crimes are due to sexual orientation. In 2014, there were 5,928 hate crime incidents reported. Of these crimes, 1,233 were committed due to bias of sexual orientation. Another 0.5 percent, or 30, were committed because of gender identification. Although the majority of hate crimes are due to racial bias, there’s a long way to go when it comes to discrimination.
This shouldn’t prevent kind-hearted individuals from being generous. Many religious and ethical creeds have kindness toward others at the very heart of their beliefs. It does demonstrate that people should be cautious when inviting someone into their home and private space. Vulnerability is not limited to those in the LGBT community.
The crime in Sweden is an international problem. There are still religions which teach that being homosexual or transgendered is an abomination. Until those ideas are changed, hate crimes will continue to exist in some form. Religion should not advocate hate and violence. Although one person can’t change everyone, you do have a circle of influence. No matter how someone feels about race, gender, or sexual orientation, you can discuss what’s appropriate and what isn’t when managing those views which aren’t your own.