When I was a freshman two years ago, a gay student named Matthew Shepard was bound to a fence post in the bitter cold of a Wyoming morning, beaten bloody and left to die. This murder jarred the thoughts and lives of many people throughout the United States and the world.

I remember the stunned expressions on the faces of my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters when the news of Matthew's death reached us. I also remember an acquaintance who, when I wondered aloud about the safety of those on the College campus, asked me why I would worry.

"Williamsburg is safe," he said. "There aren't any bars here where that could happen." The callous nature of that statement and his subsequent implication that Matt Shepard would still be alive if he hadn't "flaunted" his sexuality by going to a gay bar, enraged me. We are no longer acquainted.

I am reminded of his words in the wake of another murder, this one in Roanoke, Va. Danny Lee Overstreet is dead and six others are wounded after the latest anti-gay rampage, this time a mass shooting. This murder was close to home, and my gay and lesbian friends don't look stunned so much as wearied. We have seen this before. We know that in all probability we will see it again.

Perhaps I finally have the statistics to back up my conviction, which I expressed to that acquaintance, that attacks similar to these could occur at the College. A current Student Information Network "Daily Survey" asks College students whether they agree or disagree with the following statement about the slaughter in Roanoke: "I do hope that it's a wake-up call to our community, that we need to teach our children about love and acceptance -- and not hate." As of this writing, 272 students have responded; 14% disagree with the statement.

When I stood this past week in the candlelight vigil for Danny Lee Overstreet, I looked around the solemn circle of friends and acquaintances and wondered whether I would ever find myself wiping blood from one of their faces. Maybe I will. Remember, 14 percent of the College campus obviously doesn't care if one of my friends gets hurt or killed.

For the only way to stop these senseless, vicious and cowardly assaults against gays and lesbians is for all parents to teach their children that hate is never an option. And 14 percent of my peers -- 14 percent of my uncaring, unfeeling and unconcerned peers -- would rather let me or my friends get assaulted. And if they will stand by and allow these attacks to happen, they are only a small step from picking up the weapon themselves.

To that old acquaintance: 14 percent of my fellow students don't care if I'm shot to death like Danny Lee Overstreet, beaten to death like Matthew Shepard, burned to death like Billy Jack Gaither Š the list is longer than I can recount. Do you ask any more why I worry?

Oh, yes, it can happen here.

Philip Clark is a guest columnist. His views do not necessarily represent those of The Flat Hat.