Federal Hate Crimes Law In da House

There is a VERY important bill coming before the House of Representatives... if passed this will become FEDERAL law making this country a safer place we hope, for ALL by making it possible to punish violent offenders who attack people based on their sexual identity, gender presentation or disability. Being that I'm a freak in all of those areas, this bill has a special place in Sister Mischif's heart.

Call them, let them hear from citizens who want EQUAL protection for all humans in the US and read the following to learn more:

Next week, the House could finally vote on hate crimes. Will they be swayed by radical lies? Or can you help us raise $50,000 to fight their spin?

Can you feel the momentum? As early as next Monday, the House may vote on one of the most important bills we've ever seen: the first federal hate crimes law that would include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Lawmakers are making up their minds NOW, and the right wing knows it. They're sending daily alerts to their fundamentalist base, barraging reporters and representatives with misinformation, and doing everything they can to deceive Congress and the public. Will their lies prevail?

Your response to this week's call has been amazing: we've already raised $40,000 of our $50,000 goal! Can you help push us over the top?

Attacks against GLBT Americans are the third most common category of hate crimes. Yet the radical right is sparing no expense as it spreads lies in an attempt to block this vital change to our democracy.

THEIR LIE: "This bill would punish thoughts and criminalize free speech."
THE TRUTH: This bill will punish vicious criminals who attack members of our communities simply because of who they are. The bill does not criminalize thoughts or speech; it only covers crimes involving bodily injury or attempted bodily injury.

THEIR LIE: "This bill gives homosexuals special treatment."
THE TRUTH: The current hate crimes law excludes violence against a person because of his or her sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability. There is nothing “special” about wanting to live free of violence in our society.

That's why we're pulling out all the stops on this campaign, with advertising, media work, grassroots outreach, intensive meetings with members of Congress, and bringing hundreds of religious leaders face-to-face with lawmakers. We can't let this opportunity pass.

We have come too far to slow down now. Let's make sure this bill passes Congress with a huge margin. Let's send it to the President's desk with broad bipartisan support. We can't afford to let a single Representative be swayed by the right's deception.

Thank you for helping us reach our goal. Time is running out, but I know we can do it with your support.

Warmly,
Joe Solmonese
President

OUR STORIES: Anthony Hergesheimer

Anthony Hergesheimer, 15, was walking home from school in Pueblo, Colorado on April 5 when six schoolmates peppered him with disparaging remarks about his openly gay lifestyle before hurling an aerosol can that struck him in the nose. Hergesheimer suffered a fractured cheekbone and was required to undergo surgery for a broken nose and other facial injuries. A total of six Pueblo High School students have been charged in the attack of a fellow student because he was gay.

Two of the students face felony charges of second-degree assault and committing a bias-motivated crime; the other four face juvenile charges. During the past two years, prosecutors have invoked Colorado's bias-crime statute in the racially motivated stabbing of a black man and the alleged assault of a jail inmate, purportedly because he was gay.

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