Today at 11 AM a housing briefing will be held to inform legislators of the urgent need for passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592). At 3 PM Senators Kennedy (D) and Smith (R) will introduce an identical bill in the house. Both bills include protection for gender identity. The act is supported by more than 200 law enforcement, religious, and civil rights groups.
On Friday, Michigan State – one of five Big Ten schools not there yet – will vote on adding gender identity to its non-discrimination policy. It has been part of their anti-harassment policy since 2003.
These actions demonstrate the momentum this civil rights issue is gaining and stress the growing importance for businesses and non-profit organizations to have clear non-discrimination policies that include gender identity and appropriate gender expression. Chris Daly, of the Transgender Law Center, says that without these policies in place organizations could be increasing their chances of being liable in a discrimination complaint or lawsuit.
Of course the usual suspects may come out in favor of hate crimes by fighting this legislation. One of the favorite arguments is opposition to including what they call “behavioral choices” as a protected category. While I believe science clearly rejects their argument, I guess if they are right we should probably remove religion as a protected category too hmmm?
Contact your congressperson and senators to express your strong support for this legislation. I will be in Washington, D.C. to join with others in expressing the great need for this protection against a world that still nurtures hate against those that are different.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment