Gay Hate Crimes Bill Filed In Congress
(Washington) New hate crimes legislation introduced today in the House would amend existing hate crimes laws that cover crimes motivated by race, color, national origin and religion to include crimes based on actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity.
If passed, the legislation would allow the Department of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting cases in which violence occurs because of the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
For more than a decade bills have been filed almost annually to include gays in hate crime laws and each time they have died.
The first attempt to pass a hate crime bill failed in 1994 and further attempts have died almost annually since then. (source)
So who wants to make bets that it’s going to pass this time?
4 Comments
Leave a comment
As long as the Republicans are in control, it won't make it out of committee. (And they won't get enough signatories for a discharge petition.) It's the same reason that ENDA dies each year.
It should be noted that hate crimes legislation has successfully been added to other bills in the past (like the FY05 Defense Authorization bill). However, since they eliminate any real debate and input, the leadership always strips out provisions such as that in conference.
I fully expect the bill to fail. After all, trying to prevent violence against gays would be, in their twisted little minds, be equivalent to "endorsing our lifestyle." We can't have that!
It will be status quo.
I'll bet that it doesn't pass...sadly...
I hope it passes,but i will not hold my breath,it seems like every time they vote it slams another door in our face,maybe this time it will be a vote in our favor.