Council applauds the U.S. Senate for passing the conference
report for the FY 2010 Defense Authorization bill, which includes
critical hate crimes protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) people. The House passed the bill in October and
it now proceeds to President Obama’s desk for his signature. The
President has pledged to sign the bill.
Family Equality Council is proud to have helped engage our families
in making this exciting victory possible by mobilizing families to
contact their congressional representatives, lobbying directly on
their behalf, and, as is our core commitment to LGBT families,
sharing the family-specific perspective on why hate crimes
legislation is so critically important. The support and action of
LGBT families aided in the decisive 281-146 vote by the House in
October and the 68-29 vote today.
The bill passed today gives the Department of Justice (DOJ) the
power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by
providing the DOJ with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where
the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person’s
actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender,
sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
“Safety at home, at work, and in our communities is a
cornerstone of happy, healthy families. 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. 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.” – Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director,
Family Equality Council
Follow this link for Family Equality
Council’s press release. For more information on Family Equality
Council’s political advocacy for LGBT families sign up for our
FREE e-newsletter at www.familyequality.org.
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