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I'm not sure if you've seen this video of an anti-gay beating caught on tape in New York, but it's pretty disturbing:
I just sent the video to my senators, and I hope you will too. The Senate is about to cast its final vote on a hate crimes bill that would protect to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people against attacks like this.
We can't wait a day longer for them to send the bill to President Obama for signature.
On this page, you can send an automatic message to both of your senators with the video in it.
https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?id=598&pagename=homepage&autologin=true
7 comments:
Bashing — regardless of the victim's identity — is heinous. Why should we demand special treatment?
I don't think it is demanding special treatment to include sexual orientation in Hate Crimes Legislation. You are right that bashing is heinous, but there does need to be SOME protection for those who are victims of hate crimes based on their sexual orientation.
Gotta agree with Silus, beating someone is heinous regardless of why.I don't support hate crimes enhancements for any crime, including the recent vandalism of LDS churches.
Why is beating a gay because he is gay worse then beating a nerd because he is a book worm?
Why is beating an atheist because he denounces God less reprehensible then beating a jewish person?
Why is beating a vetern because he fought in an "unjust" war worse then beating a abortion rights protestor?
We need fewer preferred classes in america, not more.
J4K said it well.
All crimes are hate. Hate Crime legislation is a fairy tale. All victims of crime deserve the say place at the bar.
Worse yet? The idea that we'd EVER prosecute someone on the grounds of what's in the hearts and minds. The closest we've come to that, before hate crimes legislation, was giving them the benefit of the doubt, that their crime was not premeditated or that it was a crime of passion. Our thoughts — ephemeral as they are — could never be held against us by the State. But not any more.
What kind of world are we laying the ground work for?
Not one I want to live in.
Here is a response I received from Congressman Jim Matheson. Although I know it is a form letter I appreciated the quick response and the outlining of the bill that is going to be presented. I also thought it was completely in line with what I support for Hate Crimes legislation...I know there will be a lot of differing views on many political issues. However, I do enjoy a good friendly conversation on the issues that effect the LGTB community.
October 20, 2009
Dear Mr. Wiltbank,
Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding hate crime legislation. I appreciate your interest in the issues facing our country and state, and I am glad for the opportunity to respond to your inquiry. By contacting me on issues of importance to you, you help me to better represent Utah in Congress.
I believe that hate crimes legislation is important, as it seeks to end targeted acts of violence against individuals because of their religion, race, and other factors. Any and all acts of violence that are rooted in bias have no legitimate place in our society. We should allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties by removing provisions that are too restrictive and make it difficult to prosecute people who commit bias-motivated crimes.
H.R. 1913 is a bipartisan bill that seeks to standardize existing hate crimes laws among all states. It provides a uniform standard for applying hate crimes laws and seeks to provide law enforcement agencies with increased capacities to handle hate crimes. I voted for HR 1913 when it passed the House of Representatives on April 29, 2009, by a vote of 249 - 175.
The bill does not regulate individual speech or thoughts or words; a person can only be punished for committing acts of violence. In fact, a section of H.R. 1913 expressly reinforces that individuals and groups are allowed to non-violently express any beliefs, and the bill does not restrict any free speech or free exercise rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Again, thank you for sharing your concerns with me. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact my office.
Sincerely,
JIM MATHESON
Member of Congress
It "seeks to end targeted acts" against special classes. Of course, that's the problem, isn't it? No victim should stand taller than another.
I have to say that the ass-hats that are our Senators won't give their support to the bill -- it's un-Republican!
And at least you have an intelligent representative. Mine prefers making a scene with the TSA and leg-wrestling on national cable TV.
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