Congress to vote on Matthew Shepard Act tomorrow, LLEHCPA, Please CALL your representatives

[BirminghamExaminer]

EXCERPT:

Congress will be voting on the Matthew Shepard Act tomorrow. The Human Rights Campaign has launched a national call-in campaign urging supporters of the anti-hate bill to call their representatives in Congress.

Dubbed the Matthew Shepard Act, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would provide local police departments with federal resources to combat hate violence.

Extremist right wing groups are flooding Congress with calls and emails urging their representatives to vote against the Matthew Shepard Act. The right wing groups are spreading so-called 'fact sheets' that are made up of some fairly horrendous lies in order to urge their representatives to vote against the bill.

The true facts are:

* Hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are on the rise.
* One out of every six hate crimes is because of the victim's sexual orientation.
* Hate crimes are intended to create an atmosphere of fear and loathing
* The Matthew Shepard Act targets only violent acts, not speech.
* The Matthew Shepard Act does not prevent clergy or others from speaking against homosexuality
* Hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people are underreported


(SNIP)

If you need to know who to contact and their phone number: http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/your_elected_officials.asp

For more information, go here. The right wing coalition is calling in record numbers to tell their reps NOT to vote for the Matthew Shepard act. The phone call is super easy to make...the article walks you through it.

[AspenRose]

1. Here's the email I received from General Board of Church and Society (UMC)

Just so you know that there are some Christians out there who are supporting this.


Call Your Representative and Urge them to Stop Hate Crimes, April 28-29

Dear AspenRose,

As United Methodists, "We deplore acts of hate or violence against groups or persons based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or economic status." (Para. 161 III, The Social Community)

Call toll-free at 866-346-4611 Tuesday or Wednesday, April 28-29, and urge support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) to fight hate crimes and ensure safety and security for all people.

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913) expands the coverage of existing hate crime laws to include not only victims of crime based on race, color, religion, and national origin, but also bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. This is important legislation that Christians can and should support.

Take action today and learn more abvout the act by visiting our Action Center.

H.R. 1913 also provides for federal involvement in prosecuting hate crimes in states where current law or local actions are inadequate. This legislation will not prevent any form of free speech, unless that speech directly incites violence against someone.

Hate crimes cut across all of our communities and the LLEHCPA (H.R. 1913) is needed to ensure that all people have the right to be safe and free from physical harm and intimidation. Call your representative toll-free at 866-346-4611, Monday-Wednesday, April 27-April 29, and urge support of H.R. 1913 to fight hate crimes and provide safety and security for all people.

In Christ,

Bill Mefford
Director, Civil and Human Rights
(General Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Church)

[BirminghamExaminer]

2. Thank you. For me it's not about religion but human rights

I am the parent of a gay son and I believe he should have the same rights as everyone else, including not being targeted for crime.

[AspenRose]

4. Absolutely

I called my rep and he's a D planning to support it.

[snake in the grass]

3. Well, now we can expect...

...some more great footage of the Westboro freaks making asses of themselves.

I hope this passes.