Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Two posts in one day?! That's pretty amazing!

For my friends in the States, you may or may not be aware that on this Thursday, May 3, the House of Representatives is voting on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The Act extends the protections of hate crime statutes to those victims targeted because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. This act has been up for approval since the 1980s and it is believed that it finally has a chance for passage with the recent power shift in Congress.

The religious right, however, is aware of the power shift and has launched a vicious campaign against the Act, purporting it to further the "homosexual/drag queen agenda."

Go to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Hate Crimes Protections 2007 Action Center to find out more information and to send an email directly to your Congressman asking for his support. Or, for a more direct route, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to be connected directly to your representative.

The passage of this Act is incredibly important and would mark a significant victory for the GLBTQ rights movement.