Date: Tue, 26 Jan 99 12:14:57 -0500 From: NGLTF Subject: Montana Attempts to Gut Hate Crimes Law *********************************************** 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 *********************************************** MONTANA ATTEMPTS TO GUT EXISTING HATE CRIMES STATUTE; WYOMING HATE CRIMES BILL ON THE MOVE WASHINGTON, DC---January 26, 1999--- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) today expressed grave concern over legislative attempts to gut the Montana hate crimes law, making it essentially unenforceable. Proponents of the measure are acting to hinder passage of another hate crimes bill that would explicitly add sexual orientation to Montana's existing hate crimes law. "An effective hate crimes bill is one that includes all communities traditionally targeted for hate violence, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people," stated Kerry Lobel, NGLTF Executive Director. "Attempting to destroy the integrity of the entire law leaves vulnerable communities at risk. It is dangerous and irresponsible," she added. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) activists in Montana are organizing to defeat the bill that would replace the current malicious harassment law with a completely new law with only the broad and questionable categories of "dignity, employment, position, and status." Bill sponsor Senator Lorents Grosfield claims the change would broaden the scope of existing law to include sexual orientation. On the contrary, modification would make the law so vague as to be practically unenforceable. Montana organizers are supporting a measure to amend existing law to include sexual orientation. While that bill languishes, the contested bill is progressing. In nearby Wyoming, an inclusive hate crimes bill is moving forward. It would provide enhanced penalties for crimes committed because of a person's race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry. The bill passed out of committee last week and the full House is expected to vote on the measure later this week. According to NGLTF legislative tracking data, of the ten states attempting to pass hate crimes bills inclusive of sexual orientation in 1999, Wyoming is leading the pack. Hate crimes bills in the remaining eight states (CO, ID, IN, MS, NY, SC, TX, VA) remain under consideration. Currently 21 states and the District of Columbia have hate crimes laws that include sexual orientation. Nineteen states have laws that do not include sexual orientation. -30- Contact Christine Kaufman of the Montana Human Rights Network at 406/442-5506 for more information about efforts in Montana. _____________________________________________________________________ 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.