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President Obama signed the Hate Crimes Bill into law today. And while the bill does not automatically stop hate crimes, it does provide protection for victims of hate crimes by allowing the federal government to charge an individual for a hate crime when a state has no such law. I recently finished the book "The Meaning of Matthew" by Judy Shepard.
If you have not read it, or you think that a hate crimes bill is useless, then I suggest that you read this book. Actually, it is imperative that you read this book. I never really understood myself why hate crimes legislation was important until I read the story of a mother who lost her son in brutal violence only to, in the height of despair, turn her mourning into action for a community that she had previously only had limited contact with. When this crime happened to Matthew Shepard I was 18 years old and sadly I must have been so engrossed in my own life that I do not remember seeing the story on any of the news. I first heard of his story from my college choir teacher a few years later. This teacher taught choir at the University of Wyoming when Matthew was a student there. Never the less Matthew's story is OUR story, because it could have been any one of us tied to that fence that night. Judy Shepard has become one of my heroes, and today I celebrate with her and the LGTB community in a small victory. It may not be full equality...yet. But today we have won a small battle and I thank Judy and many many others for taking on the battle.
Here are Judy's thoughts on today's historic events and how our work has only just begun...
"When Dennis and I started calling 10 years ago for federal action to prevent and properly prosecute hate crimes against gay, lesbian and transgendered Americans, we never imagined it would take this long," said Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother and the president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors.
"The legislation went through so many versions and so many votes that we had to constantly keep our hopes in check to keep from getting discouraged," she continued. "But with President Obama's support and the continually growing bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate lining up behind the bill this year, it became clear that 2009 was the year it would finally happen."
The legislation allows federal authorities to pursue charges in violent crimes motivated by the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability, in cases where local authorities cannot or will not secure appropriate convictions. It also opens up federal aid to local law enforcement for training, prevention and investigation.
"We are incredibly grateful to Congress and the president for taking this step forward on behalf of hate crime victims and their families, especially given the continuing attacks on people simply for living their lives openly and honestly," Shepard added. "But each of us can and must do much more to ensure true equality for all Americans."
The Matthew Shepard Foundation's work for an inclusive society continues after passage of this landmark legislation. In addition to advocating for workplace and housing equality, equal rights for same-sex couples, and an end to the ban on gay and lesbian military service, the Foundation continues to reach out to schools and corporations nationwide to encourage respect for human dignity and differences.
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