Hate Crimes Legislation Heads to the President's Desk

categories: Hate Crimes, LGBT Legislation, Obama Administration and Gay Rights

Published October 22, 2009 @ 02:38PM PT

Hate crimes laws

It's been more than a decade in the making, but finally expanded hate crimes legislation including protections for sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability will head to the President's desk for signing. With this, as CNN dubbed it earlier today, the first piece of federal civil rights legislation will become law for LGBT Americans. And it passed overwhelmingly, with a vote of 68-29 in the U.S. Senate.

It's hard not to think first and foremost of Judy and Denis Shepard in the wake of this news, given that both Judy and Denis have tirelessly worked for expanded hate crimes laws since their gay son, Matthew, was killed in a hate crime in Wyoming in 1998. According to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, more than 7,000 hate crimes happen each year, many against people who are or are perceived to be LGBT. Finally, these folks have some federal protections that will deter violent crime.

Folks at the Family Equality Council noted that with Congress's blessing, hate crimes laws will make civil rights history in the U.S.

"LGBT families live in 99% of counties nationwide. We are neighbors, friends, loved ones, family members, workers and community members. Many of us are also parents who want more than anything to keep our children safe and to raise them in a world that finds strength in difference and celebrates diversity," said their Executive Director, Jennifer Chrisler. "Bias-motivated violence against any individual hurts our entire community. The protections and resources moved forward by Congress will ensure greater safety not just for LGBT people as individuals, but as parents and caregivers."

Today is a day where love has conquered hate. It also marks an important legislative victory for the Obama administration, which has taken some heat for not delivering on it thus far. That meme all changes today, and when the President signs this bill -- which he's promised to do -- here's hoping that Judy and Denis Shepard are standing right behind him.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has also launched a Web site where folks can go to celebrate today's victory for LGBT rights. Here's hoping it's the first victory of many under this Congress and this administration.

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Comments (25)

It's great the bill which would add sexual orientation and gender equality to the list of federal hate crimes will be signed by President Obama very soon. Violence against LGBT people on the basis of sexual orientation is unjustified and is why the bill must become law. It has been over a decade since Mat Shepard has been murdered, but when President Obama signs that bill, tolerance will further erode the intolerance which intolerant people do or spew.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 10/22/2009 @ 03:04PM PT
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Please note also, this is the first time protection for gay and lesbians in the military is included in the Bill. Not that they can stay in the military, but if the crime is committed there it can/will be punished (we hope).

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 10/22/2009 @ 03:42PM PT
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Lee, do you know if it would be retroactive? Meaning would Rocha's offenders would be prosecuted? I know the one guy is being forced to retire, but will the military be able to prosecute it as a hate crime?

Posted by Dave Hershey on 10/22/2009 @ 07:07PM PT
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This is amazing. I was excited when I came online tonight and a news headline said: 'Hate Crimes Legislation Heads to the President's Desk'. It's been a long journey but it has definitely been worth it. Once President Obama signs the bill, LGBT people will FINALLY have the protection they've deserved for so long! I'm so proud to be part of such a great community full of amazing and spirited people who don't give up!

Posted by Sarah McConnaughey on 10/22/2009 @ 08:00PM PT
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About fucking Time. Let us hope Obama doesn't veto it because it is attached to a military spending bill.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 10/22/2009 @ 09:48PM PT
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I know what you mean, but I think it was probably his idea to attach it to the Defense bill. I'm actually somewhat pissed off that the Democratic Congress can't or better stated WON'T pass it as its own stand alone bill. Effin' COWARDS!!!!!!!

Posted by Dave Hershey on 10/23/2009 @ 02:13AM PT
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That is NOT to say that I'm not happy that it has passed because I am.

Posted by Dave Hershey on 10/23/2009 @ 02:14AM PT
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If obama dont sign that bill then he loses ALL credibility with me and I wont vote for him again.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/23/2009 @ 09:19AM PT
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its about damn time we have fought for this legislation for over a decade now.I understand your point dave but no matter how it was passed it was passed. it covers every state in the union including the ones that couldnt get hate crimes legislation passed because of conservative views.With crimes against the LGBT community on the rise it couldnt have come at a better time now maybe those that want to harm us just because of who we are will think twice

Posted by Larry Dunbar on 10/23/2009 @ 09:27AM PT
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I must agree with everyone else on here, it is about f***ing time that this bill passed.

My biggest regret, however, is that the road to equality for any group has to be paved in blood. Innocent blood.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 10/23/2009 @ 10:38AM PT
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Wherever fundamentalism religion goes so does spilt blood, death, and destruction.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 10/23/2009 @ 03:31PM PT
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Beautiful quote, Chris =]

Posted by Ivy M on 10/23/2009 @ 04:38PM PT
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It is sad that it took the death of Matthew Shepard to get this hate crimes legislation passed. We are people like everyone else and we should not be attacked for our beliefs.For those that disagree with our lifestyle they should remember the lyrics of the song "We Just Disagree" by Dave Mason. "There ain't no good guys,there ain't no bad guys there's only you and me and we just disagree" and leave us alone and disagree in a quiet way and not physically harm us.

Posted by Martin Martinez on 10/23/2009 @ 05:10PM PT
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If he signs it will we be able to sue states that won't allow us to marry? Not giving us the right to marry is hatefull isn't it?

Posted by handy lawman on 10/24/2009 @ 05:47AM PT
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Yes mr. lawman...It is hatefull but it doesnt amount to physical assault so denial of marital equality wouldnt count as a hate crime as according to that bill.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/26/2009 @ 05:31PM PT
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I am with you, Martin...it IS sad that it took Matthew Shepard's death to get this hate crimes legislation passed, albeit a good decade after.

Would that those who don't agree with the GLBT would just leave us alone and agree to disagree--unfortunately there will probably always be those whose hatred inspires them to violence.

I, too, can say it's about damned time that GLBTQ are given some federal protection. We may not be able to change homophobic minds, but we can at least get most of them to leave us alone. Those who don't will end up in prison where they belong.

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/24/2009 @ 07:48AM PT
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I agree with you. though it has taken a decade, we have come so far in that decade.

Posted by Jay Pesan on 10/24/2009 @ 09:07AM PT
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What homohaters/bible thumpers need to understand is that freedom of speech doesnt equal freedom to harm...

Barring any possibility of them grasping that fundemental fact...We need hate crime laws.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/24/2009 @ 11:08AM PT
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VERY well stated!

Posted by Dave Hershey on 10/24/2009 @ 04:31PM PT
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Thanks mr. hershey. :)

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/24/2009 @ 09:21PM PT
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You are right Handy not giving us the right to marry is hateful.

Posted by Martin Martinez on 10/26/2009 @ 11:31AM PT
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Good news folks...

Obama's gonna sign the bill this wednsday...

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/10/obama-to-sign-hate-crimes-bill-wednesday.html

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/26/2009 @ 08:44PM PT
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Wonderful news! {{{{{group hug}}}}}

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/28/2009 @ 12:58AM PT
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Indeed...((((Dragon Group HUG))))

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/28/2009 @ 01:22AM PT
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Also...I read an article yesterday that stated that H.U.D. is gonna be doing a study on the discrimination against the G.L.B.T. community in their housing programs by landlords...

How ironic.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/31/2009 @ 10:01AM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.