Hey everyone!
Yesterday history was made when President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law!
Finally, after more than ten years since Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming college student who was brutally murdered in an act of hate violence in 1998, and James Byrd, an African-American man who was dragged to death in Jasper, Texas an inclusive hate crimes bill has been passed. According to the HRC website, "the new law gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability."
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese commented, “Today’s signing of the first major piece of civil rights legislation to protect LGBT Americans represents a historic milestone in the inevitable march towards equality. Although this is a major step in fighting the scourge of hate violence, it is not the end of the road. As a community, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to changing not only laws but also hearts and minds."
Let's remember folks, our work is not yet done, so let's keep on making history!
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