Hate crimes: why it matters

There was an horrific crime in MIssissippi this summer. A group of drunk, white teenagers robbed a black man, beat him, and then ran him over while shouting racist slurs.

The victim, James Anderson, was also gay. Which does not appear to have played a part in this particular hate crime.

So why am I mentioning it? Mr Anderson's family has filed a wrongful death suit against the accused teenagers. But, as the NY Times tells us,

James Bradfield, Mr. Anderson’s partner of 17 years, is not a plaintiff. Under Mississippi law, same-sex partners have no claim in civil actions like this, Mr. Dees said.

Got that? Together 17 years, and thanks to a Mississippi hate law, legally invisible.

That's why it matters.