Memorial Comment for Billy Jack Gaither
by Stephen V. Sprinkle
Billy Jack Gaither died like no one should ever have to die–in pain, in terror, and alone. Two unhappy, hate-filled young men took out their homophobia, and that of their community, state, and region upon a gentle, loyal, pious Alabamian. That was ten years ago.
For ten years now, members of his family, a small cadre of LGBT activists and scholars, and a group of brave citizens of Birmingham, have fought to keep Billy Jack’s memory alive. For the past few years, the Billy Jack Gaither Humanitarian Award, given annually, has sought to advance the cause of equality and justice for all people. This year, the Billy Jack Award will be conferred on its recipient in a ceremony at the state capital in Montgomery. He would have been surprised, pleased, and proud. I believe he would also be justly angry that ten years have come and gone since he was bludgeoned to death with a pick ax handle on the banks of Peckerwood Creek for no other reason than his sexual orientation, and Sweet Home Alabama still has not enacted an LGBT hate crimes law, nor has the United States of America.
I believe I know what he would have to say about the failure of his state and nation to act justly and protect all citizens–he would say, “It ain’t right!”
Since Billy Jack’s hate crime murder, hundreds of men and women have paid the ultimate price for being true to the way God made them. “It ain’t right!”
The stories of too many LGBT hate crimes victims have been forgotten, without tenacious friends and family to keep the flame of their memories alive. “It ain’t right!”
Too many law enforcement officers and officers of the court still harbor homophobic attitudes. Too many otherwise good church folk, white, black, brown and yellow, still deny that God cherishes LGBT people as much as straight people. Too many gay and lesbian folk around the nation are asleep at the wheel, unengaged in demanding their human rights, in denial that violence against them is on the rise. “It just ain’t right!”
Billy Jack still lives, so long as the struggle for human rights goes on, so long as we remember him. As the LGBT anthem goes, “What have you done today that makes you feel proud?” Isn’t it time to start getting things right?
Stephen V. Sprinkle
Director
The Unfinished Lives Project
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About
If you are a first-time visitor to the Unfinished Lives Project website, we invite you to read A Welcome Message introducing you to our project. We are truly grateful for your visit.
The Unfinished Lives Project website is a place of public discourse which remembers and honors LGBTQ hate crime victims, while also revealing the reality of unseen violence perpetrated against people whose only “offense” is their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender presentation. LGBTQ people in the United States are suffering a slow-rolling decimation of terror and murder all across the country. Every locale and demographic of society are affected: First Nations, Anglo, Black, Latino and Latina, South and Southeast Asian, Transgender, Bisexuals, Gay men, Lesbians, disabled, young, and mature. Homophobia has a long, crooked arm, and it is reaching out to snatch the life away from women and men whose tragic stories are under-reported to begin with, and whose memories are swiftly forgotten.
The horror of these killings transcends the shock and bereavement of loved ones and friends. These are not typical homicides; they are not killings for money or drugs, incidents of domestic strife, or crimes of passion. The vicious nature of hate crimes against LGBTQ persons is extremely brutal, grotesquely violent, and egregiously hateful.
Each murder serves the LGBTQ population as a sobering warning about the actual level of danger in our communities. The message these killings send is that freedom and open life for LGBTQ people is a cruel dream. Every time we remember one of these victims, however, the intentions of their killers are frustrated. To remember these women and men is to begin the process of changing the culture that killed them.
Our Project Director
Dr. Stephen V. Sprinkle (Keith Tew photo).
Stephen V. Sprinkle is Director of Field Education and Supervised Ministry, and Professor of Practical Theology at Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, Texas, a post he has held since 1994. An ordained Baptist minister, he is the first open and out Gay scholar in the history of the Divinity School, and the first open and out LGBTQ person to be tenured there. Read More…
Recent Social Justice Advocacy Activity By Dr. Sprinkle
Summer 2009 – Dr. Sprinkle responded to the Fort Worth Police Department and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Raid on the Rainbow Lounge, Fort Worth’s newest gay bar, on June 28, 2009, the exact 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion. Dr. Sprinkle was invited to speak at three protest events sponsored by Queer LiberAction of Dallas. Here, he is keynoting the Rainbow Lounge Protest at the Tarrant County Courthouse on July 12, 2009. Read More…
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Dr. Sprinkle will gladly present his acclaimed presentation to your organization. To arrange an Unfinished Lives presentation for your organization or group, please contact us.
Dr. Sprinkle has given his Unfinished Lives presentation to these and other community groups and organizations. Read More…
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Publisher: Steve Sprinkle (Project Director)
Steve Sprinkle
Unfinished Lives: Remembering LGBT Hate Crime VictimsBrite Divinity School/Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth TXprofessor, minister, author, blogger, LGBTQ advocate
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Unfinished Lives 
This was my cousin Billy Jack … my father Everett Ray and his mother Annie Lois Gaither were brother and sister.
I loved Billy Jack and still remember his kind ways and his wonderful smile.
He is dearly missed!
I am honored to have your comment, Carolanne. Your family has been very kind to me.
Steve Sprinkle