Spring Break
Conservative Christians fighting hate-crimes bill
Tiffany Stanley/Religion News Service
Issue date: 6/28/09 Section: Divine Intervention
The Matthew Shepard Act, named for a gay Wyoming man slain in 1998, would add sexual orientation, gender identity and disability to the list of federally-protected classes. It would also allow federal support for state and local police investigations, which often come with a hefty price tag.
The bill's supporters doubt the sincerity of the Christian right's constitutional arguments.
"These groups have long opposed any rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered Americans," said Stacy. "One certainly has to question whether they believe this about hate-crimes laws in general or rather that this is really about their own bias against the LGBT community."
If, as opponents of the bill say, gays and lesbians do not deserve hate crime protections, then who does?
Focus on the Family does not favor repealing hate-crime laws, but sees sexual orientation and gender identity as changeable, unlike race, for instance, said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for the Colorado-based group.
While Horne acknowledges individuals can change their religion, that category is the exception to the rule because "the government has historically protected religion since the founding of this country."
The current federal hate-crimes law was put in place in 1968, during the Civil Rights era.
Barber and organizations like the FRC and the Alliance Defense Fund say the constitution covers all citizens adequately, without hate-crimes provisions.
"Everyone is receiving equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, homosexuality, favorite color or 'American Idol' pick," Barber said.
Hate crimes often go underreported. FBI statistics show annual hate crimes number around 7,000. However, a 2005 study done by Department of Justice provided victim numbers as high as 190,000.
However, conservative groups believe local law enforcement officials are already doing the job without need of additional legislation.
The bill's supporters doubt the sincerity of the Christian right's constitutional arguments.
"These groups have long opposed any rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered Americans," said Stacy. "One certainly has to question whether they believe this about hate-crimes laws in general or rather that this is really about their own bias against the LGBT community."
If, as opponents of the bill say, gays and lesbians do not deserve hate crime protections, then who does?
Focus on the Family does not favor repealing hate-crime laws, but sees sexual orientation and gender identity as changeable, unlike race, for instance, said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for the Colorado-based group.
While Horne acknowledges individuals can change their religion, that category is the exception to the rule because "the government has historically protected religion since the founding of this country."
The current federal hate-crimes law was put in place in 1968, during the Civil Rights era.
Barber and organizations like the FRC and the Alliance Defense Fund say the constitution covers all citizens adequately, without hate-crimes provisions.
"Everyone is receiving equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, homosexuality, favorite color or 'American Idol' pick," Barber said.
Hate crimes often go underreported. FBI statistics show annual hate crimes number around 7,000. However, a 2005 study done by Department of Justice provided victim numbers as high as 190,000.
However, conservative groups believe local law enforcement officials are already doing the job without need of additional legislation.
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