Senate to Vote ON Matthew Shepard Act:
Call Your US Senators Today in Support of the Bill

Senate Files Hate Crimes Bill

'Matthew Shepard Act' Submitted as Amendment to Defense Reauthorization

WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, July 11th, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) filed the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105) as an amendment for consideration to the Department of Defense Reauthorization currently being debated before the U.S. Senate. 

The bill, commonly referred to as the "Hate Crimes Bill," could receive a Senate vote as early as today.  One in six hate crimes is motivated by the victim's sexual orientation, and yet today's federal laws don't include any protections for GLBT Americans. This bill gives local police and sheriffs' departments the resources they need to help investigate and prosecute violent criminals. 

Call Senator Norm Coleman and ask him to support the Matthew Shepard Act at (202) 224-5641 and call Senator Amy Klobuchar at (202) 224-3244 to thank her for her support of the bill. 

The virtually identical House version of the bill passed overwhelmingly on May 3rd, 2007 with a bipartisan vote of 237 to 180. 

Anti-GLBT groups like Focus on the Family have mobilized thousands of people to oppose this bill - let Senator Norm Coleman and Senator Amy Klobuchar know that Minnesotans support the inclusion of all Americans in federal hate crime legislation. 

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CALL BOTH YOUR SENATORS RIGHT NOW: Let them know you support the Matthew Shepard Act.
 

Below is the message we would like you to tell both your Senators - you will almost certainly speak to a member of the Senator's staff, not the Senators.

As a constituent, I want my senator to know that I strongly support passage of the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105).  This bill does NOT threaten free speech or weaken the Constitution.  This bill would only apply to violent attacks based on the victim's gender, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.  It would also provide funding to help law enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute violent hate crimes.  This legislation has been endorsed by over 230 civic, religious, and law enforcement organizations. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my support for the Matthew Shepard Act.

 

Thank you!