Editor’s note: SDGLN is going to call out public figures who are clearly homophobic and share their comments with the rest of the world.

Rep. Louie Gohmert is a Republican from Texas.

You might remember him from the health-care debate, holding signs reading “What Bill?” and “What Plan?” during President Barack Obama’s address to the joint session on Congress. It showed a complete lack of civility toward the president.

Of the 76 countries that persecute people for their sexual orientation, Iran will let an Islamic judge put them to death; Mauritania and Yemen will kill by public stoning; Saudi Arabia and parts of Nigeria and Somalia will do it based on their interpretation of Sharia law; Sudan will kill their citizens; and Iraq will sit passively as rogue militias hunt, torture and kill LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) persons.

Editor's note: Jane Velez-Mitchell hosts "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell,"a topical event-driven show with a wide range of viewpoints that airs every night at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on HLN. This was cross-posted from CNN.com.

A Rutgers University student commits suicide after being emotionally violated when his sexual encounter with another man is secretly streamed online. Tyler Clementi jumps in the Hudson River, and there is a general outcry accompanied by a superficial soul searching.

Twelve years ago today, Matthew Shepard passed away, six days after been beaten and tortured and left to die after being tied to a fence in a desolate field near Laramie, Wyo.

He was 21 and a student at the University of Wyoming. He was targeted because he was gay.

Shepard’s slaying stunned most Americans and indeed many folks around the world. His mother, Judy Shepard, became a tireless crusader for hate crime laws and an ally of the LGBT community.