Thanks to a little research and QueerlyKos (via Dispatches from the Culture War), I’ve been reminded how little difference there is between Kansas and Arkansas. (We have more than spelling in common.) This happened last July:

(Fayetteville, Arkansas) Police and fire officials in Fayetteville, Arkansas are hunting for the person who torched the community’s only gay club.

Studio 716 was destroyed by the blaze. The club was fully engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived shortly after 7:00 am a Fayetteville fire official said.

Investigators say it appears the fire was set inside the building. It is the second at the club in the past four weeks. A June 26 fire that damaged an exterior wall of the building and also has been ruled as arson.

I lived by Studio 716 for years. I didn’t even know it was a gay bar until I found that article through Dispatches. I used to drive by it many times on the way home from work when stuff was going on there, but still never knew. That is how little they were in people’s faces about it. (Which, even if they were is obviously no excuse.) From what I can tell they just wanted to be left alone, which was apprently too much to ask. It’s like Jesus said, “Love thy neighbor as thyself unless he be different from thou.” At least that’s what they appear to be teaching now. Even if you can’t love and accept those that are different from you, why can’t you let them live in peace.

Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • StumbleUpon