Well that what the assholes at the LAPD seem to think.
All day I have been thinking about what article I should be posting to symbolize the return of WTFBlog, and then I saw James posting something on Facebook, and I remembered his story.
From change.org:
On August 31, 2009 James Hornik was brutally raped by another male in Hollywood, California, as one does when they have being subjected to a crime, he contacted the LAPD assuming that since. he was a, ya know, a tax paying citizen he would be treated like any other person needing help.
Boy was James in for a surprise!
When James asked if he could press charges, the officer simply replied with
“A gay man can’t be raped”
Mr. Hornik was then treated at Cedars Sinai Hospital but was denied a forensic rape collection kit by the LAPD, whose job it is to issue such kits through their forensic team. If however…James had been a woman with boobs and a pussy, he would of no doubt being taken to the hospital and fully examined.
Which is odd really when according to the California Penal Code, rape is an “act of sexual intercourse or penetration, however slight, which is sufficient to complete the crime“. So why exactly would the LAPD deny him the right to press charges? It makes no fucking sense at all!
James Hornik has been fighting for more understanding and recognition that men (gay or straight) can be raped ever since that muggy night in August of 2009 with very little help at all. He has contacted organizations such as LAMBDA Legal, the ACLU, the NoH8 Campaign and various others only to be denied help and led in circles. Mr. Hornik even filed the proper complaints with the city, county and the LAPD internal investigation team. The LAPD was exonerated from any wrong doing or neglect by the mayor.
So what can you do to help? Well for one thing you can sign the petition that is demanding the LAPD make a formal apology to Mr. Hornik and the citizens of Los Angeles County, this will also hopefully change how they men are treated when they have being affected by rape.
Why can’t a gay man be raped?
I seriously an thankful for all of the hard work that you have done keeping this site going for all of
us. I seriously hope this is here for a very long
time.