WASHINGTON, DC  --  Congress Thursday dropped the Matthew Shepard Act, legislation that would have expanded hate crime laws to include attacks on gays and transgender people, after it became clear the measure wouldn't pass the House.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) gave in to demands by House Democratic leaders to drop the hate crimes bill. The bill was widely supported by Democrats and even some moderate Senate Republicans but because it was attached to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would have authorized more money for the Iraq war, many anti-war Democrats said they would oppose it.

More than 210 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations support the Matthew Shepard Act which would enable the Department of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting cases in which violence occurs against people based on their sexuality. The act is named after hate crime victim Matthew Shepard, who was brutally beaten to death in Laramie, Wyoming, on October 12, 1998.

Federal hate crime legislation already covers people on the basis of race and religion, but FBI statistics show that as many as one in six hate crimes is motivated by the victim's sexual orientation.

Matthew Shepard's parents, Judy and Dennis, are "dismayed" over The House's decision to drop the hate crime bill:

"We are truly dismayed to find that Congress now will put aside its leadership on passage of federal hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

"At this time of year that fills us all with hope for humankind, we are sad to find that a Congressional majority of each House who have already adopted the Matthew Shepard Act cannot yet come together.

"If not here, where? If not now, when?

"Make no mistake; this is a small triumph of process over principle. We are dedicated to redoubling our efforts next year to achieve our vision of a hate-free America that truly includes everyone. This has never simply been about Matthew Shepard and our family, this legislation is a gift delayed but never forgotten for all America's families.

"We thank our friends, allies and champions in Washington and around the world who have struggled so hard this year. We know that we will unite once again next year to achieve passage of this milestone human rights legislation."

Last update: 12-06-2007 22:29

Posted by BrianR, on 12-07-2007 19:08, 1. WHAT LOSERS! Surprise, surprise!    Lying bastards will say and promise ANYTHING to get the gay vote and then run like hell from us once they are elected!    Stupid us! We let them!    One Matt Shepard is worth MORE than the whole Capitol full of gutless wonders.    A pox be upon them all.....including the two-faced Larry Craig!   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Jess Kalinowsky, on 12-09-2007 21:29, 2. Registered Voter Every gay person in America should flood thier Senators' and Congressmen's mail box and email box protesting this action, NOW   http://www.senate.gov/general/ contact_information/ senators_cfm.cfm  http://www.house.gov/writerep/   AND write them often, about anything that adversely affect gays. Let your voice be heard!   Otherwise they do what they damn well want to do!  You can bet the right wing stays in close contact with THEIR FOLKS!      REGISTER TO VOTE, we need to get a Democrat in the WHITE HOUSE!!!!   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Kevin Dolan, on 12-10-2007 01:06, 3. Citizen I am appalled that the Matthew Sheperd Act has been dropped by our "fearless leaders" in Washington. Mr Reid and Mr Kennedy should be ashamed of themselves.   In this day and age in this great country there should be laws to protect everyone from hate crimes. It should never have been attached to the Iraq War legislation. It is for here not over there. Get with the program Washington.   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by BrianR, on 12-10-2007 01:24, 4. We MUST Remember Bill Clinton sucked in the gay vote en masse, PROMISING us "gay rights". We got the tremendously stupid "don't ask, don"t tell hogwash instead.    Four years later, where were we? Right back in his lying poockets. Stupid us!    To our shame, four years after that, we were in Al Gore's pockets, bubbling over with the hope that Gore was in our corner, unlike his predecessor - he wasn't. SHAME on us!    NOW - Hillary comes to our DUH bloc vote? Baloney! Six years in the Senate? AND she did NOTHING for us?     WAKE UP, my brothers and sisters! Sell our bloc vote!   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by kendrick, on 12-10-2007 18:20, 5. this sucks IS ANYONE SURPRISED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF GAY MEN AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS BECOMES LESS AND LESS OF A PRIORITY. WILL WE EVER GET THE EQUAL TREATMENT THAT IS AFFORDED TO OUR HETEROSEXUAL COUNTERPARTS,I THINK NOT.IT'S TIME WE TOOK ACTION AND LET WASHINGTON KNOW WHAT WE'RE MADE OF. IT'S NEARLY VOTING TIME. LET'S " COME OUT IN HUGE NUMBERS "!!!!!!   » Report this comment to administrator