On Sunday, February 16th Ontario County District Attorney and the New York State Police announced in a joint statement that those suspected in Sam’s death had known Nordquist and that they themselves self-identify as part of the LGBT+ Community. Due to this they are claiming that this is NOT a hate crime?
Under New York State Law a hate crime is defined in part as an offense “committed or intended to be committed in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation of a person, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct”
Since the arrest of Precious Arzuaga, 30; Jennifer A. Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick A. Goodwin, 30; and Emily Motyka, 19. Two more individuals Kimberly L. Sophia, 29; and Thomas Eaves, 21; were taken into custody Thursday 2/20/25 and as of right now all 7 are facing charges of only Second Degree Murder with Depraved Indifference.
As a friend and fellow member of the transgender community I feel the need to remind law enforcement and lawmakers who may be overseeing Sam’s case of the following…
Even if the suspects identify within the LGBT+ community, their actions toward Sam can still be driven by hate or prejudice, particularly if their motives are rooted in discrimination or hostility toward transgender people.
The LGBT+ community, like any other social group, is made up of diverse individuals, and unfortunately, some members within the community hold prejudiced views or act in harmful ways toward certain groups. One of the most notable examples is the historical and ongoing marginalization of transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color, by some within the LGBT+ community. Transphobia, the fear or hatred of transgender people, has manifested in various forms, including discrimination, exclusion, and even violence.
Examples of hate within the LGBT+ community toward transgender people include:
1. “Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists” (TERFs): Some self-identified feminists within the LGBT+ community have opposed the inclusion of transgender women, believing that only cisgender women should be considered women. This exclusionary stance often leads to hostile rhetoric and practices, undermining transgender rights and reinforcing harmful stereotypes about transgender people.
2. Violence and Discrimination: Even in places where the LGBT+ community is generally supportive of queer rights, transgender individuals have faced violence and discrimination from other members of the community. A study by the Human Rights Campaign found that transgender people, especially transgender women of color, are disproportionately targeted by hate crimes within the broader LGBTQ+ space.
3. Transgender Exclusion in Gay Bars and Social Spaces: There have been instances where transgender individuals have been banned or discriminated against in gay bars and other LGBT+ social spaces. These actions create a divide, further stigmatizing and isolating the transgender community.
It’s essential to understand that the LGBT+ community, while fighting for broader acceptance and equality, is not immune to internal conflicts or prejudice. A person’s self-identification within that community does not exempt them from harboring harmful views or engaging in discriminatory behavior toward marginalized groups, including transgender people. Therefore, even if a suspect identifies as part of the LGBT+ community, their actions can & should still be considered a hate crime if they were motivated by transphobia or other forms of bigotry.
Lastly, I want to finish by again calling attention to the fact that all suspects are currently only being charged with Second Degree Murder… I once again am DEMANDING harsher charges as the nature and extent of this crime clearly shows that the torture Sam endured went on for OVER A MONTH this was not a one and done deal. He was clearly lured, held captive, tortured, and then discarded like it was nothing.
To charge suspects with only Second Degree Murder is an insult to the amazing human being Sam was the legacy he’s left behind. Therefore I again demand 1st Degree Murder Charges for ALL 7 suspects followed with life in prison and ABSOLUTELY NO possibility of parole.