Local couple finds slur scratched into their pick-up
A local same-sex couple found a slur scratched into their pickup truck in Bonneville County late last week.
The word “fag” was scratched or keyed into the door ofDanny Yandell-Jones and Christopher Jones’red pickup truck. They discovered the word on Friday the 12th of June. They suspect the act happened at their home just outside the city of Ammon in the county.
“There’s no doubt about what the word inscribed into the side of my vehicle means, it’s a hate crime” said Danny Yandell-Jones.
“We got up to our vacation property…when we got out and realized that was inscribed in the side of our pickup truck…at first we couldn’t believe that was there” said Christopher Jones.
The two, who will be married for seven years this August have one question. “Why? Why would you do this to someone you don’t know?”
The couple admits those who aren’t gay, may find it difficult to fully comprehend the emotional toll an act like this may cause. “you may think its funny or may get a kick out of it, but it truly affects the family” saidYandell-Jones.
A police report has been filed, but the Idaho harassment statute doesn’t protect LGBT couples or individuals, which means this crime is not considered a hate crime by state law. If police locate a suspect they may face a vandalism charge.
“I would love to see that changed, because as it stands right now all they can prosecute for is simple vandalism, where as if a slur was made towards a religious group or an ethnic group it would definitelybe prosecuted as a hate crime. It affects us just as much as it would affect them” saidYandell-Jones.
LGBT advocate Theron McGriff says this has been a long time trend. Not only in our local communities, but all across the Gem State.
“At the state level, they should take notice that these crimes, these crimes and acts of hate are happening all across our state and it’s time that we offer protection for every tax paying citizen in the state of Idaho.”
The estimate given to fix the truck was one-thousand-dollars. McGriff helped the couple by setting up a Go-Fund-Me account.
