Community | November 21, 2009 | 12 comments

Oprah and Ellen don’t care that I was discriminated by South Bend, Indiana’s ordinance against Gay righ

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rick2740
http://whitehouse.gov

2006-2008 Hearing for Medicaid to prove my current status:

The 1st hearing has now elapsed; it was a hurtful emotional experience. Right from the beginning the judge tried to default the appeal. She first asked how many times I had appealed, and my lawyer answered twice. The judge then asked coldly for the Metro Health file, and added, “We cannot continue the hearing without the file from Metro Health!”

I responded, “The Metro Health file is from 2003 and is irrelevant!”

The judge replied, “This file was reviewed before by the appeals team, and we cannot go forward without it.

Searching through the raft of papers, the lawyer and I managed to find a good half of the file.

While looking for that file, I considered: ‘The only reason she wants that file is because the doctor stated in 2003 that I could work part time.' I further considered 'This fact proves that the ordinance, the harassment, and the bashing has damaged me since then, and therefore could prove my case!’

My Legal Aid lawyer then handed the updated medical file, compiled by the psychologists Walsh and Oyer, to the judge. Mary (my lawyer) stated: “Your honor, I’d like you to take notice of Mr. Walsh’s report on Richard, where he gives Richard a rating of 50, indicating this high number means that Richard is unable to work. I would also like to bring to your attention that Mr. Oyer’ states that he is in agreement with Mr. Walsh’s findings about Richard’s impairments, as well as the reason for them. Richard is traumatized from being harassed by the two women at Wal-Mart, and by the South Bend, Indiana, ordinance indicating he has no gay civil rights!” (I’ve included Doctor Walsh’s report for your review.)

The judge then rudely responded, “With all do respect, what are Mr. Oyer’s credentials?”

Mary replied, Mr. Oyer is an MA!”

The Judge then reluctantly looked over the findings in my records.

My Lawyer asked me, “Richard, what would you like to say to the judge?”

I respond mournfully, “I wish someone would have a heart a give me my life back…
I feel as though this situation is my undoing and I will never see justice!
I couldn’t fight back against Wal-Mart because of the ordinance. If all citizens were protected, I could have sued them.
Now the women who harassed me can victimize someone else!

I won the employment hearing, and still had my employment cut early. I asked for my job back, and was refused. Yet the women who harassed me still hold their jobs and positions at Wal-Mart.

I’m not a fraud. I had dreams of which I now know will never be; I wanted a car and a home of my own. I would work if I could, but I know how easily I get upset and sick from anxiety. I can’t sleep, have headaches and heart palpitations. I throw up a lot. I’ve lost weight, going from 240 to 157. What has happened to me in Indiana living under lack of a protective ordinance caused me to have a nervous break down. My life has been destroyed! Being beaten, left for dead, knowing my perpetrator was never prosecuted because I have no rights regarding orientation, is devastating! Knowing this man could kill someone, or come back for me, is extremely disturbing! The police did nothing to investigate my case because in Indiana there are no laws specifically invoking gay related abuse!”

My lawyer then asked, “Richard, what happened the night you were bashed?”

I replied, "I was dealing with the harassment from the women at work. My ex, Robert, had called, talked to me, and he told me…" I continued, sobbing and shaking, "Robert said to me, 'Want do you want me to do- take you back out of pity Ricky!
I celebrate every may that you’re gone Ricky! How come you’re not dead yet Ricky?”

Later, I asked a friend to take me out because I Knew I’d be drinking and couldn’t drive. While I was at the bar I met a man who followed me home. My friend left us alone,and this man beat me and left me for dead!
  1. groups:
    Community
  2. tags:
    Gay Rights,  Discrimination
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12 comments // Oprah and Ellen don’t care that I was discriminated by South Bend, Indiana’s ordinance against Gay righ

  • rick2740
    • 0
      rick2740  

    • Well now, here I am in 2010 and still no justice! Personally I feel that dogs, cats and whales have more rights and better protections, and have seen justice that I may never see! Recently I went to the South Bend police department to get a police report, only to find out there isn't one! I have only the emergency room report! I truly wish that the man who beat and raped me- would have killed me; that would be better than waking up to all this prejudice and unjustness- I'm still living in!

      Richard AKA rick2740

    • 1 year ago
  • rick2740
    • 0
      rick2740  

    • It’s not easy being Richard R Blackston:

      As Christmas ensues, so does the New Year and facing the New Year means; facing the fact of no justice against my perpetrators in 2006 involving Wal-Mart, as well as being bashed and left for dead and the affects of South Bend, Indiana, government who invoked the gay rights ban.

      It also means yet another birthday of loneliness; I personally have never known true love, or have I ever been loved as far as I’m concerned.

      What do I have to live for?

      These events are the first things on my mind when I awaken and the last thought on my mind when I go to bed; knowing how I’ve been betrayed and tricked by my perpetrators, Wal-Mart and by South Bend, Indiana’s Gay Rights Ban.

      Somehow I’m to just go forward and move on. I do know for certain if other LGBT people keep loosing their jobs and rights like I have; this is doing nothing for the world deficit!

    • 2 years ago
  • rick2740
    • 0
      rick2740  

    • Very well said, Britney:

      "Well, This Month was the 60th anniversary of the UN's Declaration of Human Rights.....and we are still working hard to achieve full human rights for everyone around the world. There are still 27 million+ slaves around the world. There is still human sex trafficking going on.

      There is still an illegal drug cartel that threatens the national security of many countries. There are still people dying because of their governments, including those who might die in Uganda for the simple fact that they are gay. However, you think that this group is a waste of time. You are concerned with jobs and economic stability.

      Healthcare is among those human rights that I mentioned and that are in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You can't have a stable economy without adequate healthcare, especially when in this country, it is ONE SEVENTH of our total economy. We must provide healthcare for everyone in order for economic stability. Also, you are concerned about jobs.

      What happens when a terrorist attack occurs on our soil and we lose a sector of our economy. Well, in case you don't know, that has already happened. Also, hate crimes are classified by the federal government as domestic terrorism. When someone commits a hate crime, it sends a message that an entire community is not welcomed. When people live in fear, this affects their level of productivity and directly impacts the economy.

      The previous post I made was in reference to Rosa Parks, who 53 years ago today, was able to sit wherever she wanted on that bus because of decisive government action from our Supreme Court. Her story impacted an entire generation of leaders who want to stand up and fight for what's right. We are simply carrying the torch for the next generation. We can't let idle-minded individuals like yourself hold us back from our ultimate goals. Oh and by the way, you're a man and you must be concerned with men's rights and human rights....you do enjoy the healthcare that you have that is slowly being taken away? You do enjoy your human rights? You do enjoy the Freedom of Speech that you are using on facebook, correct? Well maybe you should reconsider your course of action and join our movement to positively change the world.

      Yours truly, Britney Jean Storm

    • 2 years ago
  • Atalanda_Cameron
  • rick2740
  • cindydupree
    • 0
      cindydupree  

    • well have you ever ...your story is so just stupid,to be honest...you can work,its people like you who are to lazy and just dont want to work,and try every excuse in the book.....and being gay well thats just a discrace to the world....

    • 2 years ago
  • rick2740
    • 0
      rick2740  
    • cindydupree:

      People like you who are government and live in South Bend, Indiana and who came to city hall in South Bend, Indiana; voted my right to work and my right to be protected from hate crimes away. You got exactly what you wanted and now I am what you made me be!

    • 2 years ago
  • cindydupree
  • inspirationseeker
    • 0
      inspirationseeker  

    • I'm sorry to hear about your situation, what a horrible thing to go through.

      I sent an e-mail to your local newspaper, maybe they can be of assistance bringing publicity to this matter.

    • 2 years ago
  • rick2740
  • rick2740
    • 0
      rick2740  
    • inspirationseeker:

      Well now, here I am in 2010 and still no justice! the media dosen't care. Personally I feel that dogs, cats and whales have more rights and better protection and have seen justice that I may never see! Recently I went to the South Bend police department to get a police report, only to find out there isn't one! I have only the emergency room report! I truly wish that the man who beat and raped me would have killed me; that would be better than waking up to all this prejudice and unjustness- I'm still living in!

      Richard AKA rick2740

    • 1 year ago
  • rick2740
    • 0
      rick2740  
    • Image

    • Continued:
      At this point I was too distraught to continue.
      The police did nothing to investigate my case; my friends took pictures of the crime scene, as the police did not! The police could have, and should have, talked to my friend Josh to get a description of the perpetrator, but did not! Because Indiana has no civil rights protection for me, my perpetrator is free!
      __________________________
      This is a crime still unjust: Walsh’s rating of 50: I have been lied to by the state over and over again: being told that Walsh’s report doesn’t substantiate that I can’t work; by the Social Security office; by my social worker; and by the MRI appeals team! I should have had compensation in 2006- 2007, but instead I am left to suffer and receive further trauma! I believe now they all knew better! I still have not seen a trial for my SSD or SSI! I have had no income since 2006!
      I would like to bring to your attention: the Medicaid Judge ignores Indian’s Ordinance’s effect to my condition and states in her report that there were only three blows that contributed to my condition and the third and final blow being my bashing. No Judge- there were four, and the final blow was and is the lack of a protective ordinance in South Bend. In Indiana an employer can fire an employee simply because the employer knows, or merely suspects the employee is gay! There are no protection rights for LGBT people!

      My Letter to President:

      Dear President and first Lady Obama, I want you to understand that justice is far more important to me than anything else! If nothing is done, then this kind of thing can and will happen to another LGBT person, and I just can’t live with that! I truly hope you can help me in this matter, and concur with my efforts to stop discrimination in South Bend Indiana!

      President response:
      From: noreply-WHPC@whitehouse.gov
      To: snapjaw@msn.com
      Subject: Thank you for your message
      Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:53:14 -0400
      Dear Friend:
      Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate
      your perspective.

      Every American deserves equal protection under our laws, and
      neither Federal nor state law should discriminate against any
      American. The issue of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
      (LGBT) rights has all too often been used to divide our country. We
      must treat all of our citizens with dignity and respect, and stand united
      in our protection of equality--a founding principle of our Nation and
      a moral imperative.
      I continue to oppose a Constitutional ban on same-sex
      marriage and support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. We
      must also extend the over 1,100 Federal marital rights and benefits to
      same-sex couples, because every American should be able to visit a
      loved one in the hospital, transfer property, and receive equal health
      insurance and other employment benefits.
      My Administration is committed to addressing a full spectrum
      of issues important to the LGBT community. We can reduce
      discrimination by strengthening hate crimes statutes; supporting the
      Employment Non-Discrimination Act; ensuring adoption rights for all
      couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation; and
      opposing discrimination in public accommodations. To combat
      HIV/AIDS, we need policies that support people living with this
      illness and increased funding for prevention, care, and research. I
      also support repealing the current Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in a
      sensible way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national
      security. Please join me online to learn more about my civil rights
      agenda at: www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/civil_rights.
      Together, we can create a more open and tolerant society that
      protects and values all people. Thank you again for writing.

      Sincerely,
      Barack Obama

    • 2 years ago
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