Obama signs law extending hate crimes to sexual orientation, gender

Washington, Oct 29

US President Barack Obama signed legislation Wednesday that extends existing hate crimes laws to attacks motivated by gender, sexual orientation or disabilities.

The legislation, which had stalled in Congress for years, marks the first major victory for the gay rights community since Obama came into office in January. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes bill was approved by US lawmakers earlier this month.

Shepard was a gay college student who was brutally killed in 1998 in Wyoming. Byrd was an African-American man chained and dragged to death that same year on the back of a pickup truck by three white men in Texas.

"After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are," Obama said.

Members of Shepard and Byrd's family were at the White House signing ceremony and Obama planned a separate reception later Wednesday.

The law allows prosecutors to tack on additional punishment for crimes they believe are motivated by hatred of a certain group. Hate crime laws already exist for race, colour, religion or national origin.

The bill was approved as part of the defence department's annual budget for the fiscal year 2010.

Last updated on Oct 29^th, 2009 at 06:25 am IST--DPA

Possibly related news:

By Mark Zamen at Nov 6, 2009 6:55 AM IST

The House, Senate, and President Obama are to be highly commended for this legislation. It is unquestionably a step in the right direction. The fact remains, however, that a large segment of society still regards gay men and women (among other minorities) as second-class citizens – or worse. That is the salient point of my recently released biographical novel, Broken Saint. It is based on my forty-year friendship with a gay man, and chronicles his internal and external struggles as he battles for acceptance – of himself and by others. More information is available at http://www.eloquentbooks.com/BrokenSaint.html or authorautobahn.webs.com/bookpeek.htm.

Mark Zamen, author

Report

Other News Headlines

Honduras' Micheletti's temporary step down a 'positive step': US

Washington, Nov 21

The US sees the decision by Honduras' disputed de-facto leader Roberto Micheletti to step down during elections as a "positive step," a senior US State Department official said.

Kate Hudson's son has crush on Penelope Cruz

London, Nov 20

Hollywood actress Kate Hudson has revealed her six-year-old son Ryder has a crush on Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz.

Vatican slams 'Twilight' series

London, Nov 20

The Roman Catholic Church has expressed concerns over the growing popularity of the "Twilight" series, as Vatican officials have called the vampire franchise a "moral vacuum with a deviant message".

Lopez, Anthony sued over dog's behaviour

London, Nov 20

American actress-singer Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony are facing a lawsuit from a woman who alleges she was injured by the couple's dog.

Hugh Jackman reconciles with mother

London, Nov 20

Hollywood star Hugh Jackman has healed a long-running rift with his mother, who had apparently walked out of their home when he was a child.

Enter Your Name and Email below and Post your comment
Name	Email:
Comment:

Please login to use this service
Usermame :
Password :
Quick signup \| Forgot Password