US House approves Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill
pinknews
US House approves Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill
By Jessica Geen • October 9, 2009 – 15:56
The US House has agreed to approve a bill that would include LGBT people in federal hate crime laws.
Called the Matthew Shepard Bill after the murdered gay teenager, it expands federal hate crime laws to include crimes where the victims were targeted on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, and disability.
It also means the federal government could step in to prosecute in states that request it or in those who choose not to prosecute.
The bill is to be attached to the Department of Defence reauthorisation bill, an unpopular bill calling for funding into the billions to be provided for new F-22 fighter jets.
The House approved attaching the hate crimes bill to the defence measures 281-146.
While some Republicans support the defence move, they are angry that this would mean having to pass the hate crimes bill at the same time.
Meanwhile, president Barack Obama and defence secretary Robin Gates have opposed the bill, with a spokesman for Obama saying in July he supported the hate crimes measure but could not support “wasteful spending for additional F-22.” Read more.
When or wear did this murder take place and how old were the murderers. Why does it bother someone about someones sexual orientation dont people have a life? I am new to it all but just as i think things are changing i read this. I say lock the murderers up and throw away the key and make em starve to death.
i agree with wick warner, i honor his words about it