This week House and Senate conferees will meet to decide on the final version of the Department of Defense Authorization Act. The Senate-approved version of the DoD authorization includes the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA), which has already passed in the U.S. Senate by a strong bipartisan majority and in the U.S. House by a vote of 237-180.

This bill would authorize federal investigations and prosecutions of crimes based on a victim’s sexual orientation, gender, disability and gender identity. But, despite the need for this legislation and despite widespread popular support, the bill is once again being threatened. 

Michigan is one of the states where our community is not covered by hate crimes laws - this bill would provide some protections to our community that we don't have now.

Our Department of Victim Services should never have to tell victims of hate violence that they don't count as much as other minorities under Michigan's laws. Please help us help these victims today!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to retain the hate crimes language passed in the Senate-approved version of the Department of Defense authorization.

Currently, LGBT people - including LGBT people in Michigan - are not protected by federal hate crimes laws despite the fact that LGBT people are particularly susceptible to hate crimes. According to the FBI, 15.5 percent of hate crimes in 2006 were motivated by a sexual orientation bias, a 1.5 percent increase over the previous year. This means that gay people, or people perceived to be gay, are disproportionately victims of these terrible crimes.

The LGBT community should be treated like any other minority group that is targeted by hatred-inspired violence.

Please contact me to let me know you will be supporting this vitally important bill.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 04, 2007