Live: hate crimes bill signing -- reactions

by: Pam Spaulding

Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 14:44:28 PM EDT

UPDATE: Excerpt of the remarks by the President about the hate crimes provision:

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_________________________________________

For Immediate Release                      October 28, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT THE SIGNING OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010

East Room

2:42 P.M. EDT

...Now, speaking of that, there is one more long-awaited change contained within this legislation that I'll be talking about a little more later today.  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.  (Applause.)

I promised Judy Shepard, when she saw me in the Oval Office, that this day would come, and I'm glad that she and her husband Dennis could join us for this event.  I'm also honored to have the family of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, who fought so hard for this legislation.  And Vicki and Patrick, Kara, everybody who's here, I just want you all to know how proud we are of the work that Ted did to help this day -- make this day possible.  So -- and thank you for joining us here today.  (Applause.)

So, with that, I'm going to sign this piece of legislation.  Thank you all for doing a great job.  All right.

Reactions to the signing are up:

Judy Shepard:

"After a decade of debate, persistent advocacy and 14 separate congressional floor votes, President Barack Obama today signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in a White House ceremony attended by the Shepard and Byrd families.

"When Dennis and I started calling 10 years ago for federal action to prevent and properly prosecute hate crimes against gay, lesbian and transgendered Americans, we never imagined it would take this long," said Judy Shepard, Matthew¹s mother and the president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors.

"The legislation went through so many versions and so many votes that we had to constantly keep our hopes in check to keep from getting discouraged," she continued. "But with President Obama¹s support and the continually growing bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate lining up behind the bill this year, it became clear that 2009 was the year it would finally happen."

The legislation allows federal authorities to pursue charges in violent crimes motivated by the victim¹s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability, in cases where local authorities cannot or will not secure appropriate convictions. It also opens up federal aid to local law enforcement for training, prevention and investigation.

"We are incredibly grateful to Congress and the president for taking this step forward on behalf of hate crime victims and their families, especially given the continuing attacks on people simply for living their lives openly and honestly," Shepard added. "But each of us can and must do much more to ensure true equality for all Americans."

The Matthew Shepard Foundation¹s work for an inclusive society continues after passage of this landmark legislation. In addition to advocating for workplace and housing equality, equal rights for same-sex couples, and an end to the ban on gay and lesbian military service, the Foundation continues to reach out to schools and corporations nationwide to encourage respect for human dignity and differences."

"Just moments ago, I returned from the White House, where President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act into law.  It was an incredibly moving ceremony-Judy and Dennis Shepard were in the front row watching this historic event. I had the chance to speak with both of them before the ceremony began and to recognize their incredible efforts to make this day possible.

Hate crimes are a particularly horrific type of crime.  Many have characterized it as acts of domestic terrorism, because not only is there an immediate victim of violence who's selected by virtue of a characteristic such as race, or religion, or sexual orientation, or gender identity; but once that crime occurs, it sends a terrorizing message to all who share that characteristic.

I remember where I was and what was happening when the news of Matthew Shepard's murder began to circulate. I remember how many people I encountered who felt scared and frightened themselves because such a heinous attack had been perpetrated against him because of his sexual orientation. It is high time that this Act become law.  It has been an effort that I've worked on ever since I came to the Congress of the United States, and I think it will send a very powerful message.

Believe it or not, this is the first piece of legislation dealing with LGBT civil rights ever to be signed into law at the federal level. I do hope it will be the first of many yet to come, so that we are able to achieve full equality in the years and months ahead."

More below the fold.

History in the Making

It took much too long, more than a decade. And it came at too great a price: the brutal killings of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. are just two among the thousands of crimes motivated by hate and bigotry.

But this week, the president put pen to paper and fulfilled a campaign promise, the signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, extending the federal hate crimes statute to include sexual orientation and gender identity along with race, religion, gender, national origin and disability. Our deepest hope and strong belief is that this new law will save lives. Now, lawmakers and the president have made an imperative statement to the country and the world: Our nation will no longer tolerate hate-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

We have worked long and hard for this and its passage is historic.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there are nearly 8,000 hate crime-related incidents annually, and more than 1,200 of those incidents involve violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And even more alarming, while the overall occurrence of hate crimes is declining nationally, hate crimes against LGBT people have been increasing. This year alone, we saw hate crimes trials in the brutal killings of two transgender women, Angie Zapata and Lateisha Green.

As a result of this legislation, if local jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Justice Department can now step in. And that's why the LGBT community never stopped working for this historic day.

This legislation not only has practical value, but is a symbol of our progress. It is the first time in the nation's history that Congress has passed explicit protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We could not have reached this moment without the powerful support of our allies who stood with us every step of the way. We are deeply grateful to civil rights, civic, faith and disability rights groups, as well as law enforcement and district attorney organizations that worked side by side with the LGBT advocates. We are equally thankful to Congress, President Obama and members of his administration for passing and signing this bill into law.

While today we celebrate this marker of progress, we must recognize it as only one of the building blocks to full equality and demand that it be just a first step toward equal treatment under federal law in all areas of our lives. And we must focus on the next step.

The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act provides us with an opportunity. We must use this moment to educate and keep the momentum going so that we can continue to make progress on the local, state and federal levels. Yes, legislation takes a long time - often years of work. Yet, our community is on the cusp of passing much-needed protections.

This week, we call upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, families and allies to take this opportunity of increased media and public attention on hate crimes to educate co-workers, classmates, neighbors, family members and friends about our lives, and about why we need not only their friendship and love, but their vocal support for a more just and equal America for LGBT people. If your members of Congress voted in support of hate crimes legislation, call them and thank them. Then ask them to be there for us again when the vote turns to workplace nondiscrimination, military service and partnership rights.

With your help and our collective pressure, equality is within reach.

When talking about the need for hate crimes legislation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "The time for debate is over."

She was right.

Just as the time has finally come for stronger hate crime protections, it is also time to pass an inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and ensure that health care, economic policy and immigration reform incorporate the needs of LGBT people.

The time for debate is over.

Signed by:

Jo Kenny, AFL-CIO Pride at Work
Terry Stone, Centerlink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Gabe Javier, Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA
Toni Broaddus, Equality Federation
Jennifer Chrisler, Family Equality Council
Evan Wolfson, Freedom to Marry
Lee Swislow, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
Rebecca Allison, M.D., Gay & Lesbian Medical Association
Chuck Wolfe, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
Eliza Byard, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
Marjorie Hill, Gay Men's Health Crisis
Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign
Rachel Tiven, Immigration Equality
Earl Fowlkes, International Federation of Black Prides
Kevin M. Cathcart, Lambda Legal
Leslie Calman, Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization
Sharon Lettman, National Black Justice Coalition
Kate Kendell, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality
Justin Nelson, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Rea Carey, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Paul Kawata, National Minority AIDS Council
Kyle Bailey, National Stonewall Democrats
Greg Varnum, National Youth Advocacy Coalition
Sharon Stapel, New York Anti-Violence Project
Jody Michael Huckaby, PFLAG National
Michael Adams, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)
Aubrey Sarvis, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

HRC's Joe Solmonese:

"This law honors our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters whose lives were cut short because of hate," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Today's signing of the first major piece of civil rights legislation to protect LGBT Americans represents a historic milestone in the inevitable march towards equality. Although this is a major step in fighting the scourge of hate violence, it is not the end of the road. As a community, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to changing not only laws but also hearts and minds. We know that hate crimes not only harm individuals, but they terrorize entire communities. After more than a decade of advocacy, local police and sheriffs' departments now have the full resources of the Justice Department available to them."

"We applaud President Obama for signing this bill into law and thank the leadership and our allies in the House and Senate. We also will always remember the tireless efforts of Senator Edward Kennedy on this issue. Senator Kennedy once said that this legislation sends 'a message about freedom and equality that will resonate around the world.' This marks the first time that we as a nation have explicitly protected the LGBT community in the law. And this law sends a loud message that perpetrators of hate violence against anyone will be brought to justice," said Solmonese.

For a comprehensive retrospective and historical overview of hate crimes advocacy visit: www.LoveConquersHate.org.

The Task Force:

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"Today marks a historic milestone for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and for the entire country. With the president's signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, both sexual orientation and gender identity have, for the first time in U.S. history, been explicitly included in federal law.

"It has taken over a decade of perseverance to get to this momentous day, and we thank all those who have worked to achieve this incredible victory. Laws embody the values of our nation, and through the enactment of this hate crimes law, our country has - once and for all - sent a clear and unequivocal message that it rejects and condemns all forms of hate violence, including crimes motivated by hatred of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

"We look forward to the days ahead when we will join together again to celebrate full equality and recognition of our community, including in employment, the military and in the full recognition of our families. The Task Force is committed to the work necessary to bring full equality to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We know that we have much work ahead of us. Today, we must pause and shine a light on this critical first step taken by Congress, and the willingness of this president to follow through on his promise to sign this legislation ensuring the laws of the land will protect all of us."

More on the Task Force's work on hate crimes legislation

*Passage of hate crimes legislation stems from decades of work, much of it spearheaded by the Task Force, including:

*In 1982, the Task Force founded the groundbreaking anti-violence project, the first national organizing project for anti-LGBT hate crimes.

*In 1990, the Task Force secured the Hate Crimes Statistics Act, which included sexual orientation, in large part justified by the Task Force's own statistics on hate crimes. The Hate Crimes Statistics Act was pushed so that national data could build the foundation for a hate crimes law.

*Murders and arsons, some anti-LGBT and others based on race and other characteristics, led President Bill Clinton to call for a White House Summit on Hate Crimes in 1997, attended by then-Task Force Executive Director Kerry Lobel, where she delivered a petition signed by LGBT people all over the country asking for a serious response to anti-LGBT hate crimes. Out of this meeting, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (the predecessor to today's legislation) was written; it fixed several problems with the existing hate crimes law on race, religion and national origin, and added sexual orientation, gender and disability to the law.

*In 2001, the Task Force started its work to add gender identity to the bill. Over the course of years and bringing along coalition partners, the Task Force secured a "gender identity" addition into the House legislation in 2005, with the Senate bill becoming transgender-inclusive in 2007.

*The Task Force continued to advocate for the bill's passage, repeatedly activating its membership.

*In 2009, when the hate crimes bill was added to the Department of Defense authorization bill and a death penalty provision was added in the Senate, the Task Force spoke out about the immorality of inclusion of the death penalty and activated its grassroots to urge the provision be struck from the final language. The conference committee ultimately removed the capital punishment language.

People for the American Way:

"We've struggled for many years to enact this legislation, but I am deeply grateful to see these protections become federal law," said Reverend Timothy McDonald, People For the American Way board member and chairman of the African American Ministers In Action. "This bill exemplifies our deepest American values, it ensures strong action against senseless violence against people targeted simply because of who they are, and furthermore it will protect the religious freedom of all clergy to speak out on any issue they feel passionately about. It is shameful that opponents of this bill and the Religious Right have waged a dishonest and unfair campaign against it, and I am thankful to all those who stood up to defend those most in need."

Right wing opponents of the bill have repeatedly attacked the legislation, falsely claiming that the legislation would impinge on First Amendment rights. In fact, the bill contains important provisions to ensure that clergy members can preach about any issue-including homosexuality-without fear of government censure.

"This is a major step towards ensuring equality under the law for all people," said Michael B. Keegan, President of People For the American Way. "It's been more than a decade since Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. were murdered, but at long last the legislation bearing their names has become a law. I hope that Congress will move quickly to follow this bill with legislation ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell, repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, and finally enacting the long overdue Employment Non Discrimination Act."

The Hate Crimes legislation, which was attached to the Department of Defense authorization bill, includes protections based on gender identity-the first time gender identity will receive positive protection in federal law.

"As we commemorate the signing of this bill, it is appropriate that we remember the unflagging leadership of Senator Kennedy," said Keegan. "Without his tireless and passionate work in support of this measure, this day would not be possible. This legislation is yet one more piece of his enduring legacy of making our core Constitutional values real faor all Americans."

Out and Equal:

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates applauds President Barack Obama's signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation by expanding coverage to include crimes based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.
This is the first federal law in the nation's history that is specifically inclusive of the full lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, a historic and significant move in the LGBT civil rights movement, signaling a new era in this country in which everyone can be treated equally.

"History is being made by federal leaders who are taking a stand to protect the LGBT community from the hate-motivated violence that has existed for far too long," said  Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry. "We celebrate this milestone, but we can't forget the people - Mathew Shephard, James Byrd, Jr., Gwen Araujo and thousands of others - who have been victims of hate because of who they are."

"We hope that federal leaders' decision to protect LGBT Americans from hate-motivated crimes sets the course for federal policies that will protect the LGBT population on all fronts, including discrimination in the workplace through the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act," Berry said.

"We're on the cusp of achieving the protections and equitable rights that countless people before us have sought, and we can't stop now. We must continue contacting our Congressional delegates to gain their support, and ultimately assuring that every LGBT person - whether it's you, your son, daughter, brother, sister, mother or father - can live their lives without fear."

Equality California:

Equality California hailed the signing today of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a federal law combating hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.

"We are thrilled that President Obama has signed this fundamental piece of legislation, which ensures that the federal government will fulfill its obligation to protect all people of this nation, including LGBT people," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. "We applaud the President and Congress for joining California in standing up against violence based on hate. We are especially grateful to Assemblymember Pedro Nava who authored the hate crimes resolution this year, former Senator Sheila Kuehl who authored the original California Hate Crimes Law and the LGBT Caucus and legislators who supported the numerous hate crimes bills and resolutions passed in California."

Earlier this year, Equality California sponsored companion resolutions that call on the United States Congress to immediately pass and President Obama to sign the Matthew Shepard Act, which expands the landmark 1969 United States federal hate crimes law to include crimes motivated by a victim's real or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.

"The President believes every human being is entitled to equality and the same dignity and protection under the law," said Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara). "Signing this crucial legislation will help curb violence against the LGBT community and provide needed resources and funding to local law enforcement."

CenterLink:

A great and historic moment in the fight for LGBT equality in America occurred today as President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. After passing in both the House and the Senate by comfortable margins, and receiving today's signature from the President, the new law extends authority to fully investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes where the victim has been targeted because of actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

"I cannot begin to express the joy and thankfulness I feel today," said Terry Stone, Executive Director of CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers. "We applaud everyone who worked tirelessly to get this bill passed, and look forward to continuing our work for full equality for the LGBT community."

"It took much too long, more than a decade.  And it came at too great a price: the brutal killings of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. are just two among the thousands of crimes motivated by hate and bigotry.

"But this week, the president put pen to paper and fulfilled a campaign promise, the signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, extending the federal hate crimes statute to include sexual orientation and gender identity along with race, religion, gender, national origin and disability. Our deepest hope and strong belief is that this new law will save lives.  Now, lawmakers and the President have made an imperative statement to the country and the world: Our nation will no longer tolerate hatred motivated violence against LGBT people.

"We have worked long and hard for this and its passage is historic.

"According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there are nearly 8000 hate-crime related incidents annually, and more than 1200 of those incidents involve violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And even more alarming, while the overall occurrence of hate crimes is declining nationally, hate crimes against LGBT people have been increasing.  This year alone, we saw hate crimes trials in the brutal killings of two transgender women, Angie Zapata and Lateisha Green.

"As a result of this legislation, if local jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Justice Department can now step in.  And that's why the LGBT community never stopped working for this historic day.

"This legislation not only has practical value, but is a symbol of our progress.  It is the first time in the nation's history that Congress has passed explicit protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We could not have reached this moment without the powerful support of our allies who stood with us every step of the way. We are deeply grateful to civil rights, civic, faith, and disability rights groups, as well as law enforcement and district attorney organizations who worked side-by-side with the LGBT advocates. We are equally thankful to Congress, President Obama, and members of his administration for passing and signing this bill into law.

"With this law, President Obama and Congress have sent a message that violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is wrong and that our community should not be excluded from the protections of our nation's laws" said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios.  "This is a landmark step in eliminating the kind of hate motivated violence that has taken the lives of so many in our community including Brandon Teena, Matthew Shepard, Fred Martinez, Gwen Araujo, Sakia Gunn, Sean Kennedy, Angie Zapata, Duanna Johnson, Lateisha Green and so many others. The visibility of these tragic losses and the conversations that they sparked brought us to today's historic step toward ending this violence."

GLAAD has worked with media outlets and families of victims to raise visibility among the public about the need for LGBT-inclusive federal protections.

"We especially thank Judy and Dennis Shepard and so many of the families of those who have lost their lives to hate violence for their tireless commitment, along with so many individuals and organizations, to educate people about the importance of this legislation."

"Today is another step toward full equality, where LGBT people can be respected and feel safe in our communities with the knowledge that the laws will protect us too. Our community's work is far from over and media have the same responsibility today as they've always had: to continue telling the stories of LGBT victims of hate violence until the day that anti-LGBT violence is truly and finally a thing of the past."

"It's good that the U.S. government has finally taken action to deter hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.  But by continuing to permit or even require discrimination against LGBT people in our relationships, in public service and in the workplace, the government fuels the very bigotry that results in violent attacks," said Tanner Efinger of Equality Across America.

Passage of the Act shows that escalated protest over the past year, such as at the National Equality March (NEM) on October 11th, is putting significant pressure on Congress to address anti-LGBT discrimination.

"We applaud and congratulate Matthew Shepard's mom, Judy, who has inspired so many over the last eleven years and did so again when she spoke at the National Equality March, this October," said Robin McGehee, co-director of the NEM.  "She has truly shown what being a fierce advocate for equality and justice is truly about, even after facing such a horrible tragedy based in hate."

"By signing this act into law, this administration sends a clear message that the civil rights of every American are worth protecting and defending," said Sharon J. Lettman, NBJC Executive Director.  "No one should have to live their life in fear of violence simply for living their life openly."

..."NBJC has long advocated on behalf of hate crime victims," said Kylar Broadus, NBJC Board Chair, "including Sakia Gunn, Laetisha Greene, and other transgender African Americans who are disproportionately targets of hate crimes."

Gwen Smith's Remembering our Dead List, a website which tracks anti-transgender violence, notes about 70% of transgender victims are African-American.

African Americans and LGBT individuals are consistently among those most frequently targeted by bias-related crime. Of the hate crime incidents reported nationwide in 2007, 34 percent were perpetrated against African Americans, a number and percentage of incidents that has changed little over the past 10 years.  

Today, Congressman Barney Frank attended the White House signing ceremony for the historic Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.  He released the following statement.

"This is a bittersweet day.  It is sweet because this is the first law in American history that begins the job of protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people against prejudice.  But it is bitter because this bill comes too late to save countless victims."

"Our job now is to enact fully inclusive legislation to prevent job discrimination, to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and to begin the job of winning recognition of same-sex relationships on the federal level."