*** WATCH THIS VIDEO FIRST AND TELL ME YOU CANT TAKE 2 MINS TO CALL YOUR SENATOR !! ***  INFORMATION TO DO THIS IS BELOW.

 


As much as you know I am a huge political dork and a big supporter on LGBT rights. This bill was thrown out before it got the senate in 2007 because our then "president" - in which i use in quotations because I don't know why he is called that if the oath of office clearly says he must protect the citizens of these united states- since apparently he doesn't see the LGBT community as citizens of this country. Last I checked asshole.. I pay taxes too. Thank GOODNESS we have Obama now. Here is some more info on the bill. This bill hasnt been changed since 1969 ! I think its time we vote for Change once again! :)


The Matthew Shepard Act (officially, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 or LLEHCPA), H.R. 1592 was a proposed federal bill that would expand the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The bill would also:

* remove the current prerequisite that the victim be engaging in a federally-protected activity, like voting or going to school;
* give federal authorities greater ability to engage in hate crimes investigations that local authorities choose not to pursue;
* provide $10 million in funding for 2008 and 2009 to help State and local agencies pay for investigating and prosecuting hate crimes;
* require the FBI to track statistics on hate crimes against transgender people (statistics for the other groups are already tracked).

The bill passed the House of Representatives on May 3, 2007, 237 to 180, with Barney Frank, one of two openly gay Representatives, presiding. It was the first time that a gay rights bill had been brought to the floor of the House. Only once before, in 1996, had either house of Congress considered a gay rights bill; in that case, the Senate rejected an early form of ENDA and later that same day passed the Defense of Marriage Act.

On 11 July, 2007, Senator Edward Kennedy introduced the bill (S. 1105) in the Senate as an amendment to the Senate Defense Reauthorization bill (H.R. 1585). The Senate hate crime amendment had 43 cosponsors, including four Republicans. After Republicans staged a filibuster on a troop-withdrawal amendment to the defense bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid delayed the votes on the hate crime amendment and the defense bill until September.

The bill passed the Senate on September 27, 2007, as an amendment to the Defense Reauthorization bill. The cloture vote was 60 to 39 in favor. The amendment was then approved by voice vote. President Bush indicated he might veto the DoD authorization bill if it reached his desk with the hate crimes legislation attached. Ultimately, the amendment was dropped by the Democratic leadership because of opposition from antiwar Democrats, conservative groups, and President George W. Bush. However, Barack Obama's website outlining the goals of his new administration cites passing the Act as a priority.

On April 24, 2009, the Act passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 15–12 and will go to the full House of Representatives for a vote. The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 28. On April 29, 2009, the House passed the act, designated H.R. 1913, by a vote of 249 to 175.

When Jefferson sat down to write the DOI he thought of a nation where all are created equal and that everyone - everyone has the right to happiness!

Pass this note onto everyone you know please ! Thanks ! :)

Call your senators TODAY and ask them to support the hate crimes bill.

Sen. Lautenberg
(202) 224-3224

Sen. Menendez
(202) 224-4744


You're not going to believe what they're saying about the Matthew Shepard Act, S.909.

Yesterday, far right groups launched their latest attacks: action alerts and online videos with outrageously false claims that the Matthew Shepard Act would "give legally protected status to pedophiles."

Senate offices are being blasted with calls trying to pawn off these ridiculous lies and scare senators.

We need you to call your senators to make sure that they are hearing from fair-minded people like you.

It takes about 45 seconds to call each one of your senators – and each one of them needs to hear from you today. So set yourself a reminder on your computer. Make the call on your way to lunch. Or stop reading this and do it right now. Whatever you do, make sure to CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY.

If you've never called Congress, let me assure you, it's easy.

1. Before 5 p.m. ET, call Sen. Lautenberg at (202) 224-3224 and Sen. Menendez at (202) 224-4744.
2. Most likely, one of your senator's interns will answer and ask where you're calling from and why. You're calling to urge the Senator to support the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 909). Most calls end right there. But if you like, you can add:
* Sexual Orientation is already defined in Federal law and clearly does not include any of the criminal acts right wing groups are claiming it does.
* In fact, hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are on the rise. One out of every six hate crimes is because of the victim's sexual orientation.
* Hate crimes have more than one victim. They are intended to create an atmosphere of fear and terrorize entire communities.
3. IMPORTANT: After you hang up, click here to let us know that you made the call. Don't skip this step! It helps us track our progress.


We have the truth on our side – and we need you to speak the truth today to counter our opponents' outrageous lies. Please make your phone calls right now.

Then, please pass this email on to your friends and family.

Thank you for taking action. !!!!