House Passes Gay Hate Crimes Bill

WASHINGTON, DC -- The House of Representatives voted 237 to 180 to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act Thursday, even though the White House said President Bush would likely veto the measure. A similar bill is working its way through the Senate.

"Today, we paid a sad but fitting tribute to victims of hate crimes like James Byrd, Matthew Shepherd and Michael Sandy," said Rep. Nadler (D-NY).

"No American should be threatened with violence because of who they are. Hate crimes attack not only the individual victim, but they send a violent message to an entire group of people. This hate crimes legislation takes critical steps to address violent bigotry and vicious acts of hatred. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to swiftly act to protect all Americans."

This is a historic day that moves all Americans closer to safety from the scourge of hate violence,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese in a statement following the vote.

"Today, legislators sided with the 73 percent of the American people who support the expansion of hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity."

This inclusive hate crimes legislation titled the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (LLEHCPA) and renamed the Matthew Shepard Act in the United States Senate is an appropriate and measured response to the unrelenting and under-addressed problem of hates crimes against individuals based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability.

"Although this is the first major step to passing inclusive hate crimes legislation, we have a long way to go to ensure this legislation becomes law. I am personally grateful to the United States House for recognizing the grave reality of hate crimes in America," said Judy Shepard, Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Over the last few weeks, this bill has been threatened by misinformation and lies spread by anti-gay organizations trying to block the passage of the bill.

"I am encouraged that the House was able to overcome the lies and misinformation being spread by anti-gay organizations trying to derail this bill. As the parent of a young man killed simply for being gay, I refuse to be silent and let this bill be misconstrued by these organizations," continues Judy Shepard.

Current federal hate crimes law permits the federal prosecution of a hate crime only if the hate crime was motivated by bias based on race, color, religion, or national origin and the assailant intends to prevent the victim from exercising a "federally protected right" such as the right to vote or attend school. If this legislation is passed by the Senate and signed by the president, the law would be expanded to protect the GLBT community as well as remove the restrictions on what type of acts can be considered applicable under hate crime law.