The Federal Hate Crimes Act and Texas

by: DyspepTex

Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 02:08 PM CDT

Federal Hate Crimes Legislation - A Grim Victory

Today, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It is an important, yet grim, victory for the LGBT and other targeted communities. Among other important steps, the Act marks the first time federal law has referred to "gender identity" in a positive manner and offered transgender persons some form of protection.

It has taken 13 years, untold victims, multiple deaths, and the efforts of survivors, loved ones and activists to get the Hate Crimes Act passed. No one, of course, expects the Act to actually end hate crimes.  However, the hope is that by granting the federal government the jurisdiction and resources to prosecute hate crimes people will become more aware, and educated, about hate crimes--eventually leading to an overall reduction in this, one of the most hideous forms of violence.

More below the fold..

Has anyone heard of faith2action.org? Updated - please call reps today

by: BeckyH

Wed May 02, 2007 at 03:41 PM CDT

So, I was going to write a diary today about the incredibly successful AIDS Ride I did on Saturday, but something more important has come up. AIDS Ride diary after I figure out how to make pictures show up instead of red Xs.

I just saw a commercial that scared the hell out of me. It is by a group called faith2action.org and, if their commercial is anything to go by, they are the kind of people that make me reluctant to wear the label "Christian". The commercial is just a woman on screen, talking. She's talking about how she went to a "homosexual meeting" (I didn't record it, so I'm going from memory here) to share her faith. She says she was arrested and charged with a hate crime, and urges people to call their congressman to stop the hate crimes bill "before it becomes a crime to share your faith." When I googled the group, only their stuff came up, no sites telling about the facts of this incident.