Washington Adding Transgender People To Hate Crimes Law
Transgriot
By Monica Roberts
April 10, 2009


http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2009/04/washington-adding-transgender-people-to.html


Transgender people residing in the state of Washington got some great news from their legislature Wednesday.

The Washington House approved Senate Bill 5952 on a 68-30 vote, with six Republicans joining the majority in adding the words 'gender identity or expression' to the state's hate-crime law. It was approved by the Washington Senate a month ago.

It now heads to the desk of Gov. Chris Gregoire (D), who is expected to sign it into law. The change would take effect three months after the end of the 2009 legislative session, which is scheduled to adjourn April 26.

This seems to make the west coast solidly in the hate bill passage.

The rest of the country needs to follow suit.

Quote from: About.comStates that include sexual orientation and gender identity in their hate crime laws: California (1999), Colorado (2005), Connecticut (2004), District of Columbia (1989), Hawaii (2003), Maryland (2005), Minnesota (1993), Missouri (2001), New Jersey (2002/March 2008),New Mexico (2003), Oregon (2001/2008) and Vermont (2001)

Janet

As glad as I am that trans people are being included, I think hate crimes bills are largely worthless.  They don't stop people from perpetrating hate crimes anymore than the death penalty stops people from killing each other.  I'd rather they spent their time passing funding for LGBTQ awareness programs or something like that.

That's right, Hate crimes, regardless of the particular issue, should be addressed and prosecuted as such. The West coast does lead the way and the rest of the Country and World need to wake up. I am glad to see many East Coast States joining as well

Get up...Stand up... Stand up for your rights