Stop Hate Crimes NOW!
March 19, 2007
As I have written about previously here, we have an extraordinary ooportunity to pass hate crimes legislation at the federal level that will have a huge impact on the LGBT community. The Democrats are now in control of both the House and the Senate and public opinion is with us. The bill, which is one of the two legislative priorities of the LGBT community, is being re-introduced this week. This bill will provide additional resources to local law enforcement agencies to investigate hate crimes motivated by a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, sex or disability and if the local agencies won’t step in to investigate, it gives the feds the authority to do so.
The Human Rights Campaign is urging everyone who is concerned about stopping anti-LGBT violence to contact their members of Congress to ask them to support this bill. You can contact your representatives through the HRC Action Center here.
Much love: Americablog
Entry Filed under: Advocacy, Congress, LGBT, Politics, Uncategorized. .
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Ethan St.Pierre | March 20, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I recieved an email action alert from HRC which reads:
This week the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act will be re-introduced in the House of Representatives. This crucial legislation seeks to give local law enforcement agencies extra tools and resources they need to prevent and combat hate violence.
Despite the progress that our community has made in combating anti-gay bigotry and discrimination, today one in six reported hate crimes are motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation. It’s even more startling to realize that today’s federal laws don’t include any protections for people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The house version of the hate crimes bill is inclusive of transgender people and this is great!
HOWEVER, I scrolled down to this part of the HRC email:
# If your Representative or Senators are co-sponsors, use the link above to go to a page where you can send them a Thank You message for their support.
# If your Representative or Senators are are not currently co-sponsors, use the link to send a message urging them to immediately become a co-sponsor of this vital legislation.
IF YOUR SENATOR CO-SPONSORED THE HATE CRIMES BILL THEY CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. DO NOT SEND YOUR SENATOR A THANK YOU LETTER BUT INSTEAD SEND YOUR SENATOR A LETTER ASKING HM/HER TO ONLY SUPPORT A HATE CRIMES BILL THAT INCLUDES THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE “GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION”
—————
Here are HRC Talking points for lobbying for Hate crimes legislation:
http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Religion4&Template=/
ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=35846
Talking Points:
Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act
“Hate Crimes Legislation”
* As Americans, we must take a strong stand against violence committed against our neighbors for simply being themselves. The purpose of our government, first and foremost, is to protect all of our citizens – whether they are black, disabled, Christian or gay.
* While a random act of violence against any individual is always a tragic event, violent crimes based on prejudice are intended to terrorize a group of people or an entire community.
* One in six hate crimes are motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation, and yet today’s federal laws don’t include any protections for these Americans.
* Across the board, Americans overwhelmingly support critical legislation to prevent hate crimes against any of their fellow citizens.
* In fact, three in four (or 73%) Americans favor strengthening hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and to give local law enforcement the tools and resources they need to prevent and prosecute these tragic acts of bigotry.
* The Federal Local Law Enforcement Act has broad bipartisan support and has previously passed both Houses of Congress. In fact, over 210 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations support the passage of this crucial piece of legislation.
* Such notable associations and individuals who support the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act include:
* President George H.W. Bush’s Attorney General Dick Thornburgh;
* National Sheriffs’ Association;
* International Association of Chiefs of Police;
* 31 state Attorneys-General;
* National District Attorneys Association (NDAA);
* Presbyterian Church;
* Episcopal Church;
* Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR);
* National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP);
* National Council of La Raza (NCLR);
* Human Rights Campaign (HRC);
* Parent’s Network on Disabilities