From prosecution to prevention for hate crimes

[William769]

There are five states in the U.S. without a hate crime law.

One of them is Wyoming.

Wyoming, where 10 years ago, Matthew Shepard was robbed, pistol-whipped, tortured, tied to a fence and left to die.

Wyoming.

Though it’s not like the other 45 states WITH hate crime laws are perfect. Only 32 of them cover sexual orientation. Only 11 cover gender identity.

Last month, the House passed a hate crimes bill by a wide margin – a bill which would protect gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders in all states, including ones like Wyoming that have no hate crime bills of their own. But the Senate is more complicated.

Currently, the sponsors of the bill are looking to attach it to a bill that is likely to sail through the Senate, because it is not strong enough to survive on its own. Hopefully, the President’s support – he said it would “enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association” - will help facilitate this process.

But even if it does pass, it’s not enough.

Last night, at a discussion hosted by Turner’s employee affinity group, Matthew’s mother Judy Shepard expressed dismay and frustration that 10 years after his son’s death, little progress had been made.

http://www.365gay.com/blog/vanasco-from-prosecution-to-prevention-for-hate-crimes/