September 27, 2007

US Senate voted to pass the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105)

Today, another step toward GLBT equality was taken. Earlier in the day, the US Senate voted to pass the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105). With the passing of this bill, the federal hate crimes bill now includes laws that prohibit acts based on a biased motivation related to one's sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability. It also provides law enforcement officials resources and tools for prosecuting such crimes.

The Senate in a bipartisan vote of 60 to 39 ended debate on the bill and then moved to approve the Matthew Shepard Act via voice vote. The House of Representatives, in May passed a similar bill, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592) with another strong bipartisan vote of 237 to 180.

We are not out of the woods yet. President Bush has threatened to veto this legislation stating that it is "unnecessary." However, reports from the Human Rights Campaign cite the FBI as reporting there are 25 Americans each day that are victims of hate crimes. This means there is a hate crime committed each hour of every day. One is six hate crimes has been linked to a bias towards one's sexual orientation.

Lutherans Concerned North America commends those senators who took this step towards ending discrimination towards GLBT individuals. We also commend Sen Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Sen Gordon Smith (R-OR) for introducing the hate crimes amendment.

It has been nine years since Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered just for being who he was. Hopefully, by the vote taken today and in May (H.R. 1529), the United States will finally take a stance and protect individuals from this type of violence, violence solely based on an individuals bias.

Thank you to all of you who contacted your senators and urged them to vote yes on the Matthew Shepard Act.

With Warm Regards,

Len Weiser & Jeannine Janson
Co-Chairs of Lutherans Concerned / North America