National Night Out is tonight

Tonight is National Night out, which was conceived as a way of fighting crime by getting people to know their neighbors a little better.

Now in its 24th year, National Night Out is a nationwide event where people are encouraged to meet neighbors and police to help prevent crime and use of illegal drugs.

"Our mantra is 'neighbors being neighbors,' " said Mike Lauber, president of the Ashford Community Association in west Houston.

He said residents are encouraged to attend the event to know who lives in the neighborhood.

Many events are scheduled across Houston, Harris County and outlying suburbs this evening.

Marty Hajovsky has a list of the events going on in the Heights. Tiffany and the girls and I will be out there - I'm going to see about taking a few pictures. The sheer number of little kids at the NNO events in the Heights the past few years has been amazing. If nothing else, Olivia won't lack for playmates tonight.

Finally, via email from Dot Nelson-Turnier, here's an event in Montrose that you should know about:

What: Hate Crime Candlelight Vigil

When: National Night Out, Tuesday, August 7, at 8:30 p.m.

Where: In the parking lot at Montrose Counseling Center, 401 Branard Street, Houston, Texas 77006-5015

Who: All are welcome.

A limited number of candles will be available, so please feel free to bring your own.

Here's a map of the location, for those who need it. Dot's email is reproduced beneath the fold. Wherever you go, have a happy National Night Out.

In recent weeks, Hate Crimes have left their tragic mark on the Houston area, a mark that runs even deeper for two families who lost their loved ones.

In one case, a young man from Spring took his own life because living with the pain, trauma and stigma of being a hate crime victim was unbearable.

In the other case, a Southwest Airlines employee from Pearland left a Montrose gay bar with another man who later admitted he planned to kill a gay man in order to send "him to hell."

The loss of both men and the impact their deaths will have on their loved ones, the loss also resonates with the greater community. A bias crime against one individual is a crime against an entire group of people. When David Ritcheson, a Mexican-American, was brutally assaulted, the attackers were self-proclaimed skinheads who used racial slurs while committing the crime. The language used by the attackers, proclaiming "White Power" lets others - especially those of Mexican-American descent - know that not only are they not welcome, but they, too, are at risk. Add to that recent debate about undocumented immigrants, and the result is communities living in fear.

When Ken Cummings went missing, his family and friends spent weeks trying to find his body, knowing only that he left a Montrose area bar with another man. It has recently come to light that man accused of his murder committed the crime after planning it out for several months. His motive was to hunt down a gay man and to kill him in the name of his religious beliefs. That this could have happened to any gay man who crossed paths with the attacker that evening threatens all members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender [GLBT] community. And so the GLBT community is sent the message to live in fear.

According to Melany Morrison, MA, LMFT-A, LPC-I, Hate Crimes Specialist at Montrose Counseling Center, "Hate Crimes are extremely personal. They impact a person's sense of identity." She adds that, "Most hate crime victims don't report their crimes or seek help for several years due to real or perceived fears. Many experience sleep disturbances, nightmares and flashbacks, a change in eating habits, anger, hatred, denial, frustration, fear, numbness and shock. A person may feel guilt, shame, withdrawal, and begin to isolate himself or herself from friends, family, and society." That is the impact of a hate crime.

Come join us for our candlelight vigil and lend your voice to those who want to put a stop to hate.

What: Hate Crime Candlelight Vigil

When: National Night Out, Tuesday, August 7, at 8:30 p.m.

Where: In the parking lot at Montrose Counseling Center, 401 Branard Street, Houston, Texas 77006-5015

Who: All are welcome.

A limited number of candles will be available, so please feel free to bring your own.

Montrose Counseling Center provides hate crimes services, including an advocate to accompany you to the hospital and/or to file a police report. They may help you file for Crime Victim's Compensation, and be with you through the judicial process if your attacker is arrested. These services are available to anyone who is the victim of a hate crime, not just those who are affected by anti-gay bias, whether or not the crime has been reported, and regardless of immigration status.

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this email to your personal contacts as well as any listservs, yahoogroups, employee groups or diversity programs you belong to. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender: Your quality of life matters.

For more information, please contact Sally A. Huffer, Community Projects Specialist, at 713.529.0037 x324.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 07, 2007 to Society and cultcha