INCARCERATED AND GAY
Posted 02-05-2009 at 09:24 AM by Trimmy
MY EXPERIENCE OF PRISON LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF A HOMOSEXUAL
By Chrisopher D. DeLancey
Hi, my name is Chris and I am a proud, openly gay man. I am 27 years old and I love life, my sexuality, and most importantly I love who and what I am. There is only one catch. I'm in prison and have been in prsion for the past 8 1/2 years. I'm not proud of what put me here but I am proud of what I've taught myself about my behavior that landed me behind bars. But this is not about why I am in prison. It's about what it's like to be gay in a place like this.
It's hard for anyone to be locked away and labeled an "outcast" by "society". It doesn't matter how bad someone is. How "hard" they are or if they are gay or straight. Being in prison, away from family, friends, and loved ones is difficult and it down right hurts.
In my opinion being gay in this place is even harder. Just because you are gay inmates and staff automatically think you are a sex offender, you're weak, and you're a freak. None of that is true. Not in my case anyways. I'm in here for arson. I'm not weak and I'm definately not a freak. People automatically assume these things and it's not right. All men (and women) are all created equal but yet in the eyes of most people I'm not their equal because I'm a homosexual.
Since my incarceration I have seen some pretty bad things happen to other people. There is a "code of silence" between inmates and if you see something you keep your mouth shut. I have been in five state prisons these last 8 1/2 years. At each one I saw things that would churn your stomach and make you cringe but I will save you from the details. The purpose of this is to tell the story of how homosexuals are treated inside these walls.
When I first started my state sentence I was placed at the state Diognostic and Classification Prison. All inmates go through there before they are sent to their respective "home" prison. I was there not even a week when a small, frail looking white kid came in. He was placed in a cell directly across from me. He was quiet and didn't bother anyone. Another inmate, a young looking latino male, started harrassing this kid. He threatened harm on this kid. I was powerless to help in anyway. One afternoon the latino guy and four other people ran up in the kids cell. The four guys held the kid down while the young latino guy raped the kid. When the kid started yelling out one of the other guys put a gag in the kids mouth. After the latino guy finished each of the other four guys took their turn. I was shocked and as the code goes "I kept my mouth shut." Three days later that young kid, Mike was his name, killed himself. What bothered me the most, I over heard a guard talking to another guard when they removed Mikes bedding say, "The world is a better place. He was a faggot. One less in this world." With that they laughed. It made me sick. What could I do? Nothing. A week after my eye witness experience of this tragic event I was transfered to my first prison.
You should all know that I am still incarcerated. I don't have internet access so this is being posted on the blog by my partner, so please be patient as I write the blog. Your emails and comments are more than welcome. Just give me time to respond. About 10-14 days. Thanks for reading this blog. I hope you will gain the insight of what type of treatment homosexuals receive in prison.
These works may not be reprinted without express written permission from the author.
By Chrisopher D. DeLancey
Hi, my name is Chris and I am a proud, openly gay man. I am 27 years old and I love life, my sexuality, and most importantly I love who and what I am. There is only one catch. I'm in prison and have been in prsion for the past 8 1/2 years. I'm not proud of what put me here but I am proud of what I've taught myself about my behavior that landed me behind bars. But this is not about why I am in prison. It's about what it's like to be gay in a place like this.
It's hard for anyone to be locked away and labeled an "outcast" by "society". It doesn't matter how bad someone is. How "hard" they are or if they are gay or straight. Being in prison, away from family, friends, and loved ones is difficult and it down right hurts.
In my opinion being gay in this place is even harder. Just because you are gay inmates and staff automatically think you are a sex offender, you're weak, and you're a freak. None of that is true. Not in my case anyways. I'm in here for arson. I'm not weak and I'm definately not a freak. People automatically assume these things and it's not right. All men (and women) are all created equal but yet in the eyes of most people I'm not their equal because I'm a homosexual.
Since my incarceration I have seen some pretty bad things happen to other people. There is a "code of silence" between inmates and if you see something you keep your mouth shut. I have been in five state prisons these last 8 1/2 years. At each one I saw things that would churn your stomach and make you cringe but I will save you from the details. The purpose of this is to tell the story of how homosexuals are treated inside these walls.
When I first started my state sentence I was placed at the state Diognostic and Classification Prison. All inmates go through there before they are sent to their respective "home" prison. I was there not even a week when a small, frail looking white kid came in. He was placed in a cell directly across from me. He was quiet and didn't bother anyone. Another inmate, a young looking latino male, started harrassing this kid. He threatened harm on this kid. I was powerless to help in anyway. One afternoon the latino guy and four other people ran up in the kids cell. The four guys held the kid down while the young latino guy raped the kid. When the kid started yelling out one of the other guys put a gag in the kids mouth. After the latino guy finished each of the other four guys took their turn. I was shocked and as the code goes "I kept my mouth shut." Three days later that young kid, Mike was his name, killed himself. What bothered me the most, I over heard a guard talking to another guard when they removed Mikes bedding say, "The world is a better place. He was a faggot. One less in this world." With that they laughed. It made me sick. What could I do? Nothing. A week after my eye witness experience of this tragic event I was transfered to my first prison.
You should all know that I am still incarcerated. I don't have internet access so this is being posted on the blog by my partner, so please be patient as I write the blog. Your emails and comments are more than welcome. Just give me time to respond. About 10-14 days. Thanks for reading this blog. I hope you will gain the insight of what type of treatment homosexuals receive in prison.
These works may not be reprinted without express written permission from the author.
Total Comments 6
Comments
 | Hello, My name is lulu and I just finished reading your blog. I am so sorry to hear about that kid. that just broke my heart. and even that, you had to witness such a thing I been writing to inmates now sense 1998 or 1999. I know about the " keeping your mouth shut : code. I will be looking forward to your blogs. I always enjoy hearing the "truth" from those that is locked up inside. again, ty for sharing this with us. always and many hugs, lulu |
Posted 02-08-2009 at 10:16 AM by lulu  |
| | Oh my god! I have to tell you that story broke my heart! And honestly it made me feel like I was going to puke....From the part of the poor kid being raped to him killing himself to the cops comment upon removing his bedding! I really dont know what else to say it left me somewhat speechless which if you knew me you would know that is amazing....I am so sorry for what you have seen and though he is gone I am so sorry for what that poor kid endured! Thank you for filling us in on what happened. ~Angela |
| Posted 02-18-2009 at 06:25 AM by BigHeart |
| |  I am sorry for the rude education and your pains. Some people take advantage of hate and conflicts to do what they like. I was asked by a therapist once if I was violated on probation and had to go to prison for life and that was my role in the rest of my existance how would I feel? Suicide was my reply. I was very lucky to survive ten years of probation and could not have done it alone. Bless you, your partner and your Higher Power.  |
| Posted 02-18-2009 at 04:30 PM by Merrill C. |
| |  That was the saddest thing i ever heard and if you had said anything you could have recieved similar treatment, you have a wonderful partner now so be strong and may God Bless you and anyone else who is gay and in prison and in the situation that Mike was placed in.......... you are in my thoughts and prayers |
| Posted 03-01-2009 at 06:35 PM by Gerri |
| |  Now I really get depressed. For someone who lives in The Netherlands your blog sounds very outher spacy. |
| Posted 04-24-2009 at 08:22 PM by Scarletsend |
| |  Wow this really touched my heart to read. It's horrifying to think that such things take place inside, and that on the outside so many of the public turn their eye away from it. I remember when I was younger watching the film Scum set in a Borstal, with a very young Ray Winstone in it that feattures scenes just like this. I thought at the time (being young and naive), well surely this doesn't happen anymore. Although I've long since known that prisons both abroad and over here are still ridden with things such as this happening, it makes it so much more real when you hear about it from someone who has had to witness it. My heart goes out to you man. |
| Posted 04-28-2009 at 03:13 PM by Danzo |
Recent Blog Entries by Trimmy
- Gay and Incarcerated (Part 3) (02-28-2009)
- Incarcerated and Gay (Part 2) (02-17-2009)
- INCARCERATED AND GAY (02-05-2009)
