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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 18, 2004)
lune Ifl. 2004 • »];ìi;ivT^iìne<u;s L ove vs . H ate he U.S. Senate passed hate crimes legislation June 15 by an over whelming bipartisan vote of 65-33. The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act adds real or per HRC warns senators that supporting a hate crimes bill doesn't give ceived sexual orientation, gender and disability them license to amend the U.S. Constitution by Jim Radosta to federal hate crime laws, allowing the federal government the ability to provide assistance for the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes tim was engaging in one of six “federally protect based on these categories. U.S. Sens. Gordon ed” activities. Smith and Kennedy intnxluced Smith, R-Ore.; Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.; and the legislation in 1999 to broaden federal juris Arlen Specter, R-Pa., were the lead co-sponsors. diction to include hate crimes that cause death The legislation passed as an amendment to the or bodily injury and add sexual orientation, gen National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year der and disability to the covered categories. 2005. It is endorsed by more nr a L L ’ll a a The most recent FBI than 175 law enforcement, to r those Who try to data indicate 16.7 percent civil rights, civic and religious i r e p o m d c n m e inci' organizations, including the use the vote on hate crimes dents in 2002 were com- National Sheriffs’ Associa tor some political inoculation muted because of bias tion, International Associa on the FMA, it is clear the ceived a8amst sexual ,he orientation— vict,m s pe" tion of Chiefs of Police, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Feder the highest level in the 12 American people do not al Law Enforcement Officers years since the agency Association. began collecting these sta want the U.S. Constitution “Law enforcement organi tistics. Sexual orientation undermined with this zations are urging passage of bias represents the third- this bill, and today the Senate highest category reported. discriminatory and U .S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., opposes delivered again,” said Cheryl “I believe that the moral anti-gay hate crimes but supports the anti-gay unnecessary amendment. imperative that underpins Federal Marriage Amendment Jacques, Human Rights Cam paign president. “It is time for hate crimes legislation is Nothing Congress or the the Congress to finally honor simply this, and it comes cannot. What Sen. Kennedy and I propose to do the memory of Matthew president does on any other from sacred writ, that when would change that and change it for the good.” Shepard, Barry Winchell, The act has already passed the Senate in ear issue will change that fact. Alan Schindler, Fred Mar lier forms on two different occasions— most tinez and so many others by recently in June 2000 as an amendment to the — Cheryl Jacques c?me ®° thejr passing this legislation.” Smith said on the Senate Defense Department authorization bill by a vote Since 1969, a U.S. statute has permitted fed flix)r. “The federal government should be able of 57-42, with 13 Republicans. In September eral prosecution of hate crimes motivated by come to the aid of those who have been wronged, 2000 the House also passed a motion tc5 instruct race, religion, national origin or color, if the vie- bur under current statute the federal government in support of the measure, 232-192, with 41 Will . i l l Injured? ...Call me Free Consultation No Fee Unless You Recover Hala Gores, P.C. 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The Defense Department authorization bill must now be passed by fhe Senate before going to conference committee to resolve the differ ences between the Senate and House versions of the bill. “We hope it will survive the conference on the defense bill and that President Bush will sign it into law,” Jacques said. With a Senate vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment expected in mid-July, Jacques warned politicians that one pro-gay vote doesn’t justify writing discrimination into the U.S. Constitution. Smith has expressed his support of the marriage ban. “For those who will try to use the vote on hate crimes for some political inoculation on the FMA, it is clear the American people do not want the U.S. Constitution undermined with this discrim inatory and unnecessary amendment,” Jacques said. “Nothing Congress or the president does on any other issue will change that fact.” Although the hate crimes bill doesn’t explic itly mention trans people, Jacques said legal experts have interpreted it as covering gander identity. The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition disagreed, scolding H RC for continu ing “to mislead the public about its scope.” “In light of the amount of crimes that are com mitted each year against trans people that result in death, the fact [that] the language ‘gender identi ty or inclusion’ is not in the hill continues to send the message that it’s OK to hate us and to kill us,” said board member Ethan St. Pierre, a trans man whose aunt Debra Forte was killed in an anti-trans hate crime. “It’s a slap in the face. It’s like saying that [my aunt’s) life didn’t matter." J H Time for a financial check-up or a second opinion? Grarr-ON Secondes offered exclusively thro ng .s G roup . 1.1 .C RAYMOND JA M E S // - tav F inancial I N iw w M r II« m u tig A Im -rum em M s. .ignari* FftlAMG«AL SERVICES. »NC Antoinette laferriere, CFP® - President, Griffon Financial Group, LLC - Financial Advisor 503.528.2800 • 5440 SW Westgate Dr., Ste 110. 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