Date: Tue, 7 Jul 98 19:15:22 -0400 From: NGLTF Subject: NGLTF Supports Hate Crimes Prevention Act ********************************************************* NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS STATEMENT Contact: Tracey Conaty, Communications Director tconaty@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3303 800/757-6476 pager http://www.ngltf.org 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 ********************************************************* NGLTF Supports Hate Crimes Prevention Act "No one should be a target for bias motivated violence because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. Hate crimes should no longer have to be a fact of life for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people." -- Kerry Lobel, NGLTF Executive Director WASHINGTON, DC---July 8, 1998--- On Wednesday, July 8, the Senate Judiciary Committee will conduct a hearing on the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1529/H.R.3081). The HCPA will provide new authority for federal officials to investigate and prosecute cases in which bias violence occurs and will remove overly restrictive obstacles to federal involvement in the prosecutions of these crimes. In 1984, NGLTF released its first annual report on hate crimes based on sexual orientation. The Task Force took a leadership role in the hate crimes coalition through the passage of the first Federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act in 1990. Statement on the Hate Crimes Prevention Act By Kerry Lobel, NGLTF Executive Director The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force whole-heartedly supports the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) addresses the long-standing problem of violence against the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community by making hate crimes based on race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and disability a prosecutable offense under federal law. In 1984, NGLTF released its first annual report on hate crimes based on sexual orientation. The Task Force took a leadership role in the hate crimes coalition through the passage of the first Federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act in 1990. In 1997, NGLTF sponsored a nine city tour called "Hate in the Heartland." At each of these community forums, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered activists and allies gathered to tell stories of hate crimes and stories of survival. Also, hundreds of people throughout the country signed petitions to the President, prepared by NGLTF, urging him to take additional steps to address this serious and ever-present problem. Many of those who signed the petitions shared compelling stories of bias crimes. I delivered these petitions to President Clinton at the Summit. Throughout the nation, the number of documented hate crimes is low. They represent the tip of the iceberg of such incidents. Some police and prosecutors are under-trained and community members often feel unsafe about reporting hate crimes to them. Fortunately, community centers, anti-violence projects, and other community organizations have stepped up to provide safety education as well as resources to victims of hate crimes. Violent crime throughout the United States has been declining in recent years, yet, hate crimes against GLBT people continue to rise. In 1997, according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects, at least 18 lives were lost as a result of anti-GLBT violence. There were a total of 1,081 reported violent crimes against GLBT individuals, and the number of bombings and bomb threats has risen an outstanding 67% in the past year. The societal costs of hate crimes, in terms of self-esteem, productivity, and public expense are incalculable. In a nation that values democratic principles of equality, attacks motivated by bias against a personıs beliefs, values, or identity undermine freedom of expression, association and assembly. Studies indicate that hate crimes appear to have more serious psychological effects on the victims and the communities they represent than do other crimes. Research indicates that victims of hate crimes often link their vulnerability to their personal, cultural, or spiritual identity. The result is that victims of hate crimes often suffer greater emotional trauma than other crime victims. Hate crimes laws provide some of our countryıs best hope for coalition building across race, national origin, religion, gender and sexual orientation. However, most states do not have hate crimes laws to punish individuals who commit hate violence based on sexual orientation. Seven states on the tour were among the 29 states that lack a hate crimes law altogether or have a hate crimes law that does not include sexual orientation. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act is one way to ensure a partnership between the states and the federal government in prosecution of these heinous crimes. It also sends a message both to the GLBT community and to would-be perpetrators that anti-GLBT crimes are unacceptable. Our nation strives for fair and equal treatment for everyone. No one should be a target for bias motivated violence because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. Congress must follow the lead taken by twenty-one states and the District of Columbia to do their part in ending these crimes. Hate crimes should no longer have to be a fact of life for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. -30- _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. 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