Transgender Faith Leaders Lobbied for Hate Crimes Bill

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Transgender Faith Leaders Lobbied for Hate Crimes Bill
SF Bay Times
BY Dennis McMillan
April 30, 2009


http://www.sfbaytimes.com/?sec=article&article_id=10571


Dozens of transgender religious leaders converged on legislators on April 28 in Washington D.C. to deliver a joint letter in support of hate crimes legislation and against the history of violence against transgender people. Transgender faith leaders spoke out for both protection of transgender people - who are often targeted for hate crimes - as well as for reform of the criminal justice system that favors incarceration over education.

The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot said, "Lawmakers and judicial authorities need to bring moral imagination to the problem of hate crimes. If people are taught to hate and dehumanize transgender people, they can also be taught to be respectful."