House bill would give gays new protections

April 30, 2009|Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Gay victims of violence would gain new federal protections under a revived and expanded hate crimes bill passed by the House yesterday over conservatives' objections.

Hate crimes - as defined by the bill - are those motivated by prejudice and based on someone's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

The bill, which passed 249 to 175, could provide a financial bonanza to state and local authorities, with grants for investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. The federal government could step in and prosecute if states requested it or declined to exercise their authority.

A weaker bill died two years ago under a veto threat from President George W. Bush.

President Obama, in contrast, urged support, saying it would "enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association." Obama called for passage in the Senate, where Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, a Democrat, is the chief sponsor.

The House bill added protections based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability.

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat and a supporter of the bill, contended it was protection for gays that drove the opposition.

"I wonder if our friends on the other side of the aisle would be singing the same offensive tune if we were talking about hate crimes based on race or religion," she said, referring to Republican opponents.

She then recounted cases where gay people were victims of violence.

The issue was personal for openly gay Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, who said the bill would protect "people like me."