Civil Rights Coalition Lauds House Passage of Important Hate Crimes Bill

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), the nation’s oldest and largest civil and human rights coalition, released the following statement on the House passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act of 2007 (HR 1592):

“We applaud the House’s bipartisan passage of this important civil rights law. Today’s House vote is a win for young GLBT men and women, including an increasing number of GLBT individuals of color, who have lost their lives for merely being who they are.

The bill’s expansion of the definition of ‘hate crime’ to include gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and individuals with disabilities is long overdue.

Hate violence remains one of the most potent vestiges of our shameful history of hatred and bigotry.  Such violence affects not just the intended victim, but his or her entire community.  It is meant to silence.

Today, the House has sent a clear message that GLBT Americans and Americans with disabilities do not have to live in fear.  We look forward to swift Senate action.”