You should care because none of these people [nor any of the others who died in similar situations] died for any reason other than their being different. That is not a reason to die - to be killed or to kill yourself. That message is obviously epitomised in the title of this website - difference shouldn't equal death.
Neither Brian, nor Matthew, nor James hurt anybody by being a punk, gay, or black. Yet they were killed for it. Anyone with a right mind can see that this makes no sense.
You can sneer at these people. You can say that it is wrong to be a punk, to be gay, to be black. To be unathletic, to like opera music, to wear clothes made by your grandmother. And maybe in the long run you'll turn out to be right. Perhaps you will die, go to heaven, and be told by your God that you were the one who was right. But you are immediately in the wrong when you act against these people, and take away their right to be different.
In my opinion, none of these people were wrong in being who they were. I am of the opinion that nobody is wrong in being different or the same, as long as they aren't hurting anyone. That may not be your opinion, and that's fair enough, but both of us should agree that it is wrong to impose your opinion on anyone else. I may not agree with what you say, but I'll fight for your right to say it.
I never wear dresses because I don't like them. I think they're impractical and annoying. But I would never take away anyone else's right to do so. Sounds like a stupid example but it's the same kind of thing; because in the same way I would never take away anyone else's right to be gay, to be black, to be a punk, to bake cakes or to do anything else that doesn't hurt another human being. Because it would make absolutely no sense, and I know I would be wrong to do it.
The next time you think of calling another person a 'fag' or a 'freak', a 'nigger' or a 'retard', stop and think first: have they hurt me by being who they are? In most cases, the answer is probably 'no'. So why do you feel the need to go and interrupt their life, abuse them, attempt to make them feel bad about who they are? Maybe, by the rules of your religion or your society, they're 'wrong'. But if their 'wrongness' isn't hurting anyone, what's the problem? It certainly doesn't merit violence or slurs.
Fair enough if you want to tell them that you think they're wrong. 'Advise' them, give them some pamphlets about your religion, whatever. But do not infringe on their civil rights to be who they are. That makes you far more wrong than them, by any logical morals.
Pic Akai