President Obama will soon sign a hate crimes bill into law, which would make it a federal crime for anyone to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill is named after Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after he was kidnapped and beaten by others. His mother, Judy Shepard said "nowing that the president will sign it, unlike his predecessor, has made all the hard work this year to pass it worthwhile...Hate crimes continue to affect far too many Americans who are simply trying to live their lives honestly, and they need to know that their government will protect them from violence, and provide appropriate justice for victims and their families." The bill, when signed, will give the Justice Dept and other law enforcement agencies the "tools needed to deter and prosecute acts of violence" said Attorney General Eric Holder. More than 77,000 hate-crimes were reported by the FBI between 1998 and 2007.
I agree with the need to expand the hate crimes law. Now it will be a federal crime to assault someone because of his or her sexual orientation or gender. It is unfortunate that Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who was beaten because of his sexual orientation had to die in order for a bill such as this to be enacted.
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