Topic: Matt Barber

Gay Rights Bills: passed, gutted, or held

By David W. Shelton | October 2, 2007 |

A few months ago, I wrote that there were three major bills that would create fairness and equality for all Americans, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Since then, one of them has passed both the House and the Senate, another has been watered down, and the third has yet to see any action.

First, I want to thank all of the 237 Congress members and 60 Senators (of course, Foot-Tappin’ Larry Craig wasn’t one of them) who voted for the bill. It cleared both houses with healthy majorities, and is now on the way to President Bush’s desk. Alas, Bush has threatened to veto the bill. As expected, neither Bob Corker nor Lamar Alexander voted for the bill.

This bill, if signed, will provide Federal assistance to local and state jurisdictions who are unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute hate crimes (think Mississippi Burning) and reaffirms sexual orientation as a protected class, while adding gender identity to the list. «Read the rest of this article»

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