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Hate Crimes Ad Launched In Wake Of Gay Teen Murders - by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(New York City) Logo television on Monday launched a new Public Service Announcement decrying violence in response to the brutal murders of 15-year old Lawrence King last month and 17-year-old Simmie Williams just days later.

(New York City) Logo television on Monday launched a new Public Service Announcement decrying violence in response to the brutal murders of 15-year old Lawrence King last month and 17-year-old Simmie Williams just days later.

King was shot at point blank range at his junior high school in Oxnard, California. He was pronounced dead after being taken off life-support a day later.

The teenager had recently come out as gay and had worn makeup and feminine clothing to school.

A 14-year old fellow student, Brandon McInerney, has been charged with murder as a hate crime.

Just days later the body of 17-year old Simmie Williams was found in a pool of blood in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida area frequented by transsexual prostitutes. There have been no arrests in Williams' killing.

The public service announcement (view) which began airing on Logo Monday features community activist, writer and actress Calpernia Addams (who appears in Logo’s Transamerican Love Story), Andre 3000 (of OutKast), R&B artist Ashanti, singer/songwriter Sarah Bareilles, actress Portia de Rossi (Arrested Development, Nip/Tuck), international performer Estelle, singer/actress Janet Jackson, actor T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy), R&B artist Little Sister, actor Darryl Stephens (Logo’s Noah’s Arc) and singer/songwriter Taylor Swift.

"One more murder, one more life lost, one more attempt to provoke fear and one more reason hate crimes must end. We hope this PSA will help inspire more people to join the fight against hate crimes," said Brian Graden, President, MTV Networks Music Group Entertainment; and President, Logo.

Logo is the owner of 365gay.com and is a division of Viacom's MTV Networks.

Graden said that the 60 second PSA will be made available to Logo’s sister brands across MTV Networks as well as other networks that wish to air it.

Graden noted that MTV Networks has a long history of educating about hate crimes including the production and airing of numerous PSAs as well as an event on January 10, 2001, when MTV replaced 18 hours of programming with nothing but the names and stories of hate crime victims.

LOGOonline.com is featuring the PSA on a special splash page with links for more information and links to sites that offer the ability to take action against hate crimes. At Downelink.com, Logo's social network for multi-cultural young adults, viewers will be invited to comment and provide video responses to the event on a special tribute page.

In the spot, Logo features the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which recently launched rememberinglawrence.org, a memorial and action center. GLSEN works to ensure safety and protection for all young people in schools.

©365Gay.com 2008

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