Date: Thu, 4 Feb 99 00:29:39 -0500 From: NGLTF Subject: Wyoming Legislature Kills Hate Crimes Bills *********************************************** NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Tracey Conaty, Communications Director 202-332-6483 ext. 3303 800-757-6476 pager tconaty@ngltf.org http://www.ngltf.org 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 *********************************************** WYOMING LEGISLATURE KILLS HATE CRIMES BILLS WASHINGTON, DC---February 3, 1999---The Wyoming legislature today killed all prospects of enacting the state's first-ever hate crimes law. Wyoming was the scene of the brutal and highly publicized murder of Matthew Shepard last October. The Wyoming legislature is still considering a measure to establish a governor's bias crimes task force. Activists in Wyoming oppose this measure, viewing it as an attempt to avoid substantive action on hate crimes. "If not now, when?" stated National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive director Kerry Lobel. "These statutes are not a panacea, but they are a crucial component in the battle to eradicate hate crimes. We are extremely disappointed that legislators in Wyoming refused an opportunity to take real leadership on this issue. Our community will continue to press for an enforceable hate crimes law in Wyoming, and we will not settle for legislative smoke and mirrors," added Lobel. The Wyoming Senate Judiciary Committee voted down two bills today. One bill (SF 84) would have established enhanced penalties for bias-motivated crimes committed because of the victim's race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry. Another measure (SF 91) would have established enhanced penalties for bias-motivated crimes committed because of an individual's "membership in a group." Last week the full House voted against a bill similar to SF 84. According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, hate crime bills have been introduced in at least fourteen states this year. In nine states (CO, ID, MT, MS, MO, NY, OK, VA, WY) bills have been introduced to add sexual orientation to existing hate crimes statutes. In addition to Wyoming, the Idaho and Montana bills were defeated. In three states (IN, NM, SC) the bills would establish first-time hate crimes laws in those states. In Texas, a measure has been proposed to strengthen the state's existing statute by enumerating groups that would be covered under the law. The California legislature is considering a bill to equalize penalties for anti-gay hate crimes with penalties for other types of bias crimes. Other states likely to see hate crimes legislation this year include Michigan and Hawaii. "This is a tragedy for the citizens of the Equality State. How many more people will have to be attacked before the legislature will take a stand and say no to violence and hate?" stated Wende Barker, coordinator for the Wyoming Bias Crimes Task Force. -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. If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to the contact at the top of this message. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to . You may also unsubscribe by visiting http://www.ngltf.org.