BreakOUT News

Congress Passes Matthew Shepard Act

September 27, 2007

Page 1 | Page 2

20070927_shepard_320x240.jpg Today the Senate voted to advance The Matthew Shepard Act, and it kinda brought a lump to our collective throats.

Here's what it is (with a little help from GLAAD's succinct press release):

The Matthew Shepard Act expands the categories covered by existing federal hate crimes law (actual or perceived race, color, religion and national origin) to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. Today the Senate, in a bipartisan 60-39 vote, ended debate on the legislation and then approved the bill by a voice vote, attaching it as the Kennedy Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

GLAAD also urged media outlets to continue to report on hate crimes being perpetrated against gay and lesbian people, to shed light on what is a growing area of concern.

"Today's passage of the Matthew Shepard Act is a historic moment for equality and the result of years of dedication and hard work by movement organizations, community members and allies across the country," said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano.

"As the media cover the bill's progress toward the president's desk, we are urging them to help even more Americans understand the need for inclusive hate crimes protections, the history of anti-gay violence in this country and the stories of those who it continues to affect to this day."

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