Matthew Shepard Act
he House Judiciary Committee today passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (also known as the Matthew Shepard Act) by a vote of 15-12.
Shepard The Washington Blade reported yesterday that debate of the bill saw "an onslaught of hostile moves" intended to bog down the legislation: "There was protracted discussion in committee Wednesday of several amendments to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The measure is intended, among other things, to allow the Justice Department to assist in the prosecution of hate crimes committed against LGBT people that result in death or serious injury. Amendments offered by the committee's Republican members, though, sought to include unborn children, military members and pregnant women in the measure. Another proposed amendment sought to strip passages regarding 'gender identity' from the bill. The amendments were voted down."
Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, released a statement which read, in part: "Laws ultimately reflect a nation’s values, and this legislation, once passed, will send a strong message that America rejects all forms of hate violence, including bias-motivated crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This committee vote marks the beginning of the end of a long-fought battle. We are pleased that President Obama has expressed support for this critical legislation by announcing he will sign the bill when it comes to his desk. We hope the administration will play a role in assisting with the measure’s passage in both the House and Senate."
A vote on the House floor could occur as soon as next week.
Judy Shepard 10 Years
Shepard The Washington Blade reported yesterday that debate of the bill saw "an onslaught of hostile moves" intended to bog down the legislation: "There was protracted discussion in committee Wednesday of several amendments to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The measure is intended, among other things, to allow the Justice Department to assist in the prosecution of hate crimes committed against LGBT people that result in death or serious injury. Amendments offered by the committee's Republican members, though, sought to include unborn children, military members and pregnant women in the measure. Another proposed amendment sought to strip passages regarding 'gender identity' from the bill. The amendments were voted down."
Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, released a statement which read, in part: "Laws ultimately reflect a nation’s values, and this legislation, once passed, will send a strong message that America rejects all forms of hate violence, including bias-motivated crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This committee vote marks the beginning of the end of a long-fought battle. We are pleased that President Obama has expressed support for this critical legislation by announcing he will sign the bill when it comes to his desk. We hope the administration will play a role in assisting with the measure’s passage in both the House and Senate."
A vote on the House floor could occur as soon as next week.
Judy Shepard 10 Years
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jo on -
I can't say I'm surprised by the hate-filled response by the Far Right to this proposed legislation... Disappointed, most certainly, but not surprised. From their perspective, they really have convinced themselves that Gays are the okay-to-hate new Bogeyman, and that our collective "agenda" is to basically pervert and subvert "traditional American values." (sighing heavily)
It's somewhat instructive to look back at the Civil Rights campaigns that were fought in the Southern states, especially, and see the eerie parallel between the rhetoric now and the rhetoric then. No reasonable person would today claim that giving equal rights to people of color is somehow destabilizing to society - it's offensive and laughable on its face. I have faith that eventually, we'll get to the same kind of perspective with gay rights.
Getting this law approved would be a wonderful step, but of course there's the issue of selective enforcement, or of states and/or local municipalities choosing to ignore it completely. Ah, but then there's the possibilty of the FBI stepping in if local law enforcement won't do their job, particularly if the people involved have crossed state lines and committed hate crimes in more than one location - not much of a stretch to imagine.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out. Be prepared for a lot of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt) to be spread (rather like manure) around this issue by our less-than-enlightened opponents.
-
Permalink Reply by jaysays on -
Can someone give me some perspective here by providing an example of when an unborn child was the victim of a crime motivated by bias or prejudice? I've just never known anyone to have some sort of aversion to an embryo and say - I'm going to beat up that embryo for being an embryo.
I can see that the nut-job right probably thought that would protect the embryo from abortion, but I cannot see how abortion could constitute a bias-based crime no matter how much I rack my brain.
-
Permalink Reply by m j on -
Amendments adding unborn children and pregnant women to the measure do seem like a reach to include abortion issues, which have their own place. Trying to confuse people again - are you ?!?! Stripping passages regarding gender identity from the bill would have been a terrible loss. I am relieved those amendments were voted down.
Fortunately when this bill passes (keeping my hopes up) any lgbtq member of the military who is an unfortunate victim of a hate crime would be covered. (.... speaking of repeal of don't ask .... don't tell.)
-
Permalink Reply by jaysays on
-
I recently stumbled upon a really great essay on Hate Crimes Legislation which covers arguments for and against such legislation. Here's the link:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_hat2.htm
You'll notice that the site is "religioustolerance.org" but is by no means a judo-christian site. Apparently, they even have a Wiccan and Atheist on their team - although whether or not Atheism is a "religion" is an entirely different debate.
(BTW: Welcome to the forum mj. Glad to see you've arrived!!!)
-
Permalink Reply by m j on
-
I took a look at that site and even became curious enough to click on one of the links on the side "Judaism". I agree that it is not a judeo-christian site - but I am at a loss as to what label would be appropriate. Religious tolerance definitely does not fit unless their dictionary is significantly different than mine - plus as you mentioned ---- Atheism as a "religion" ?????
It is a good link and I'm going to do a little more exploring....
The GayWallet Team
SistersTalk (on Twitter)
JaySays (on Twitter)
Robin45 (on Twitter)
Joanne Kerr (on Twitter)
Please read the community rules.
JaySays (on Twitter)
Robin45 (on Twitter)
Joanne Kerr (on Twitter)
Please read the community rules.
© 2010 Created by Genia Stevens
