"I was choking on blood face down on the ground before I even realized what was happening to me. As I struggled to crawl to my feet, I was greeted by thunderous kicks to my ribs and my temple and the venomous and inconceivable cry, "die fucking faggot." Here in Palm Springs, alone and without warning I was being gay bashed. Two strangers filled with hatred, and clear intent, were trying to end my life simply because of who I am. As I began to realize that my life could end here in this rocky, abandoned lot where they had dragged me from my car, my survival instict surged from the very core of my being. I began to fight back, take swings, kick, scream. I threw rocks. I grabbed a pipe on the ground and brandished it as a weapon. I'm quite certain that my animalistic rage and the sheer volume of my screams surprised them. Eventually, they slunk back into the night from which they came.

"Unlike Matthew Sheppard and countless others, I survived to tell my story. Crumpled in a heap with my clothes ripped and my nose flattened to my face, I survived to face police, firemen, and E.M.Ts who approached me with distance and distain, suggesting with their tone and indifference that I had somehow brought this upon myself. Their homophobia was as palpable as the blood and dirt that stained my teeth. This realization was almost more painful to endure than the beating itself. Feeling helpless, but proud, I drove myself to the emergency room that night." -- blogger Chris Rico describing the gay bashing he endured a few years ago. Be sure to go read the entire post.