Hate Crimes Update: Thank Your Senators and Representatives

HATE CRIMES UPDATE: THANK YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES BUT CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THEM

As you know, last week the Senate debated the Matthew Shepard Act, a bill that will expand hate crimes legislation to include violent crimes inspired by the victim’s (perceived) sexual orientation and gender identity. On Thursday, July 16, the Senate voted 63-28 in favor to include the Matthew Shepard Act as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization Act (DoD), with all Democrats (excluding Senators Byrd and Kennedy who are absent) and five Republicans voting in favor.

This is a major development in the fight for LGBT rights and protections and if your senators voted in favor of the Matthew Shepard Act please take a moment to call them at the Senate switchboard at 202 224 3121 and thank them for their support. These calls are as important as the calls we asked you to make earlier, because it shows that you are paying attention to what is going on in Washington concerning LGBT issues. Please make these calls today.

But despite this success, we are not there yet!

Yesterday, the Senate voted in favor of including additional amendments introduced by Senator Sessions (R - Alabama). These amendments, one requiring the Attorney General to establish criteria for determining whether a crime was motivated by the status of the victim and one making the death penalty a requirement for certain hate crimes, are unnecessary, weaken the effectiveness of the hate crimes bill, and potentially could make the bill such a hot topic issue that it runs the risk of being dropped during the upcoming session of the House-Senate conference committee that will combine the House and Senate bills into one bill.

The Matthew Shepard Act will not be law until the DoD bill has been approved by the Senate, the House-Senate conference committee does not alter the bill, the updated version of the DoD is passed by both the House and the Senate, and, finally, President Obama signs it into law. This means that we will have to continue pressuring Congress on this issue until all stages are successfully completed. If at any point in time the Matthew Shepard Act is challenged it is unlikely there will be a hate crimes expansion this year.

Do not allow anyone to derail this vital hate crimes legislation, and do not allow those who support the Matthew Shepard Act in the House and Senate to weaken their resolve on this issue.

We need to act! Therefore, in the coming weeks call, write or e-mail your members of Congress (Click here for a list of contact information for senators and here for representatives). If they supported the Matthew Shepard Act, thank them for doing so. But also urge them to make sure the bill will make it to President Obama’s desk in its original form. Please ask your constituents to do the same. None of this takes more than a few minutes, but it can be exceptionally important in making sure that Congress does the right thing, and passes the Matthew Shepard Act.


More information about the Matthew Shepard Act

Learn more about the act by downloading CenterLink Hate Crimes Factsheet - Senate 2009-07.

What is the Matthew Shepard Act?

The Matthew Shepard Act (officially the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act or LLEHCPA) is a bill that, if passed, would expand the 1969 and 1994 federal hate-crime laws to include crimes motivated by the victim’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity. The act is named for Matthew Shepard, the 21 year old college student who was tortured and murdered in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998 because of his homosexuality, one of the many victims of crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the United States each year.

If passed, what would the Matthew Shepard Act actually do?

On the most basic level, it would allow the federal government to prosecute those who commit hate crimes, and would increase the penalties received by the culprits. It will also lift the prerequisite that the federal government cannot intervene unless the victim had been involved in a federally protected activity (such as voting) when the crime occurred. If passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will also allocate more funds to investigate hate crimes, and require the FBI to track statistics on hate crimes committed against transgender people (hate crimes based on sexual orientation are already being tracked).

Is the Matthew Shepard Act really necessary?

Yes. Hate crimes differ from ‘normal’ crimes in that they do not just cause harm to an individual and his or her circle of family and friends, but also to an entire community. When passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will lead to harsher punishment to those who commit hate crimes against members (or perceived members) of the LGBT community and in doing so will send the message that any form of violence committed against an individual because of that person’s (perceived) sexual orientation or gender identity is an attack on the LGBT community as a whole, and unacceptable to society. This is major progress in the fight against gay bashing, as well as the fight for gay rights in general: the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act sends a clear message that Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, do not hate to live in fear.

Will the Matthew Shepard Act restrict freedom of speech?

This argument is widely made against the act by Republicans in Congress. While violence in any shape or form, physical or emotional, is despicable and unacceptable, the Matthew Shepard Act is only concerned with physical violence. When passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will not lead to the prosecution of those who make violent statements (outrageous and wrong as they may be) against the LGBT community. Any statements being made that suggest that the Matthew Shepard Act would create a thought police, or would limit the freedom of speech or religion, are either misguided or intentionally false.

What can you do to help pass the Matthew Shepard Act?

Call, write, or e-mail your senators and representatives. If they supported the Matthew Shepard Act, thank them for doing so. But also urge them to make sure the bill will make it to President Obama’s desk in its original form. Please ask your constituents to do the same.

Visit CenterLink for more information.

Come enjoy another evening of Comedy!!

Comedy Night at Mary's Futons
4100 Redwood Hwy 101 at the Terra Linda exit in San Rafael

Sunday, Aug. 9 at 7:00 pm

Door open at 6 for complimentary appetizers

See the Line up! click here: Futon Comedy 94903

Partial proceeds benefit the Mayflower Community Chorus

Action Alert: Keep Calling Your Senators

Since yesterday morning's action alert on the Matt Shepard Hate Crimes Act, the wheels have been turning in the Senate. The bill has now been added by Senator Patrick Leahy (D Vermont) as the Leahy/Collins/Kennedy/Snowe amendment to the FY 2010 Department of Defense Authorization bill. It is important to note that the wording of this amendment is exactly the same as the original bill. It now looks as though a vote will be taken either tomorrow, Thursday July 16, or on Monday, July 20.

Because of that, it is important that we keep the pressure up. Please call your senators and urge them to support the Leahy/Collins/Kennedy/Snowe hate crimes amendment, and ask your constituents, friends, family and colleagues to do the same. The toll free number you can use to call your senators (866-659-9641) will remain open tomorrow.

Learn more about the act by downloading CenterLink Hate Crimes Factsheet - Senate 2009-07.

What is the Matthew Shepard Act?

The Matthew Shepard Act (officially the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act or LLEHCPA) is a bill that, if passed, would expand the 1969 and 1994 federal hate-crime laws to include crimes motivated by the victim's perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity. The act is named for Matthew Shepard, the 21 year old college student who was tortured and murdered in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998 because of his homosexuality, one of the many victims of crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the United States each year.

If passed, what would the Matthew Shepard Act actually do?

On the most basic level, it would allow the federal government to prosecute those who commit hate crimes, and would increase the penalties received by the culprits. It will also lift the prerequisite that the federal government cannot intervene unless the victim had been involved in a federally protected activity (such as voting) when the crime occurred. If passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will also allocate more funds to investigate hate crimes, and require the FBI to track statistics on hate crimes committed against transgender people (hate crimes based on sexual orientation are already being tracked).

Is the Matthew Shepard Act really necessary?

Yes. Hate crimes differ from "normal" crimes in that they do not just cause harm to an individual and his or her circle of family and friends, but also to an entire community. When passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will lead to harsher punishment to those who commit hate crimes against members (or perceived members) of the LGBT community and in doing so will send the message that any form of violence committed against an individual because of that person's (perceived) sexual orientation or gender identity is an attack on the LGBT community as a whole, and unacceptable to society. This is major progress in the fight against gay bashing, as well as the fight for gay rights in general: the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act sends a clear message that Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, do not hate to live in fear.

Will the Matthew Shepard Act restrict freedom of speech?

This argument is widely made against the act by Republicans in Congress. While violence in any shape or form, physical or emotional, is despicable and unacceptable, the Matthew Shepard Act is only concerned with physical violence. When passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will not lead to the prosecution of those who make violent statements (outrageous and wrong as they may be) against the LGBT community. Any statements being made that suggest that the Matthew Shepard Act would create a thought police, or would limit the freedom of speech or religion, are either misguided or intentionally false.

What can you do to help pass the Matthew Shepard Act?

On Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, call your senators between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, through the toll free number 866-659-9641 and strongly urge them to support the Matthew Shepard Act. Please also forward this message to your constituents, friends, and family, and ask them to do the same.

http://center.convio.net

Action Alert: Call Your Senators Today and Help Push The Hate Crimes Bill into Becoming Law

As early as today, Wednesday July 15, the Senate will vote on the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. With the House having already passed the bill in April, the Senate is the last major hurdle before the bill will become law. You can help make sure that we are able to take this last hurdle successfully. Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, a toll free number (866-659-9641) will be open for you and your constituents, friends, family members and collegues to call your senators and urge them to support the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Learn more about the act by downloading CenterLink Hate Crimes Factsheet - Senate 2009-07.

What is the Matthew Shepard Act?

The Matthew Shepard Act (officially the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act or LLEHCPA) is a bill that, if passed, would expand the 1969 and 1994 federal hate-crime laws to include crimes motivated by the victim’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity. The act is named for Matthew Shepard, the 21 year old college student who was tortured and murdered in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998 because of his homosexuality, one of the many victims of crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the United States each year.

If passed, what would the Matthew Shepard Act actually do?

On the most basic level, it would allow the federal government to prosecute those who commit hate crimes, and would increase the penalties received by the culprits. It will also lift the prerequisite that the federal government cannot intervene unless the victim had been involved in a federally protected activity (such as voting) when the crime occurred. If passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will also allocate more funds to investigate hate crimes, and require the FBI to track statistics on hate crimes committed against transgender people (hate crimes based on sexual orientation are already being tracked).

Is the Matthew Shepard Act really necessary?

Yes. Hate crimes differ from ‘normal’ crimes in that they do not just cause harm to an individual and his or her circle of family and friends, but also to an entire community. When passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will lead to harsher punishment to those who commit hate crimes against members (or perceived members) of the LGBT community and in doing so will send the message that any form of violence committed against an individual because of that person’s (perceived) sexual orientation or gender identity is an attack on the LGBT community as a whole, and unacceptable to society. This is major progress in the fight against gay bashing, as well as the fight for gay rights in general: the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act sends a clear message that Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, do not hate to live in fear.

Will the Matthew Shepard Act restrict freedom of speech?

This argument is widely made against the act by Republicans in Congress. While violence in any shape or form, physical or emotional, is despicable and unacceptable, the Matthew Shepard Act is only concerned with physical violence. When passed, the Matthew Shepard Act will not lead to the prosecution of those who make violent statements (outrageous and wrong as they may be) against the LGBT community. Any statements being made that suggest that the Matthew Shepard Act would create a thought police, or would limit the freedom of speech or religion, are either misguided or intentionally false.

What can you do to help pass the Matthew Shepard Act?

On Wednesday, July 15, call your senators between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, through the toll free number 866-659-9641 and strongly urge them to support the Matthew Shepard Act. Please also forward this message to your constituents, friends, and family, and ask them to do the same.

For more information visit CenterLink.

LGBT Sonoma Valley seniors connect through new group

Spectrum's "LGBT Seniors: Getting Together in Sonoma" group was mentioned in the Sonoma Valley Sun newspaper this week.

Lesbian and gay Sonoma Valley seniors connect through new group

Gary Carnivele | Special to the Sun

Mainstream media typically offers a limited number of images of the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. News footage of Pride parades feature the obligatory clips of twenty-something hunks wearing skimpy swimwear gyrating on floats and thirty-something women dressed in studded leather revving their hogs. A small number of forty-something activists of both genders occasionally appear on cable news channels. Unfortunately, few gays are seen who are older. It is as if there is an age limit.

Some local LGBT seniors are making themselves more visible by attending a meeting designed just for them. On the third Friday of every month, a number of them gather at the Sonoma Community Center for “LGBT Seniors: Getting Together in Sonoma.” The group is a project of Spectrum LGBT Center, which provides services to Marin County gay seniors and youth. The non-profit saw a need to likewise serve seniors living in Sonoma County. A sister group meets in Santa Rosa.

“Spectrum approached me about doing outreach in Sonoma County to create some sense of community for LGBT seniors and these monthly meetings gives them an opportunity to talk about their issues, which they may not feel free do in a mostly heterosexual setting,” said the group’s facilitator Gary Shepard, who lives in Sonoma with his domestic partner, Paul Besco. “I consider it a discussion group, but try to keep the group from becoming too cerebral. It’s not a support group or even a social group.”

The free meetings offer lively discussions, mutual support, the sharing of pertinent information, and an opportunity for the older segment of the LGBT population to tell their stories. Everyone is welcome to join the group. The group’s organizers promise the meetings are discreet and what is said by all participants is strictly confidential. Of the approximately 60 seniors who have responded to flyers advertising the group, a core of a dozen or so have become regular attendees.

“I was there for the first meeting, because I was missing the gay community that I enjoyed through Spectrum when I lived in Marin,” said Gary “Buz” Hermes, who was born in Napa in 1939 and moved to Sonoma five years ago when he was able to semi-retire. “We each have unique experiences, values, and perspectives to share, but there still seems to be an underlying LGBT connection that overrides our differences and creates a sense of community.”

Joan Brozovich and Sally Smith were thrilled to see the announcement in a local newspaper and jumped at the chance to make contact with other local LGBT seniors. They moved to their colorful home in Glen Ellen in 1998, but missed living near their lesbian friends who have been moving away from one another to the far reaches of the Bay Area. The couple has been together 27 years. They were married in Canada three years ago, at a ceremony attended by friends and family, including Smith’s grown son whom she raised with her husband before the two divorced.

Brozovich, who is a psychologist in private practice in San Francisco, said, “Even though Sally and I made a life-long commitment to each other shortly after we became a couple, there was nothing that could compare to the joy experienced in having the wedding ceremony and turning around and seeing the tears of joy on our guests’ faces. All couples should be allowed to experience that joy.” Marriage equality for same-sex couples was discussed at one of the group’s meetings. Same-sex couples can now legally marry in six states, but not in California.

The group’s other topics, which are selected each month by Shepard, have run the gamut. Participants have discussed: the challenges of coming out; the role of spirituality in their lives; the meaning of friendships; and the relationship between older gays and the younger members of the LGBT community. Shepard strives to encourage a free exchange of ideas. He has invited the leader of a Santa Rosa-based transgender group to come to speak to the group and answer their questions about the “T” in LGBT.

“I moved here four years ago from Santa Cruz and I was shocked to find there were no LGBT groups or gathering places,” said Will Penna, who was a founding member of Triangle Speakers, who made presentations to schools and organizations is an effort to eliminate homophobia. “I was told by a few other gay men who lived here that they didn’t see any need for such. When I learned of this group last fall, I was delighted.”

The members of this group, as well as LGBT seniors all over the world, are redefining what it means to be a senior citizen and how they fit in the larger community. There are some serious hurdles. For the most part, gerontologists haven’t viewed sexual orientation as relevant to their work. According to a recent by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, most national health studies of older citizens fail to access sexual orientation. The tide is changing as of late and seminars about aging are tackling LGBT issues.

“Some people in assisted living facilities feel isolated and don’t feel safe talking to others in fear that they will be outed,” said Shepard, who left his work in broadcasting to work for non-profits like San Francisco’s Shanti Project. “I’ve contacted several local facilities and even though they say they are happy to accept LGBT seniors as residents their intake forms fail to identify them. LGBT seniors don’t have different aging issues, just different cultural issues.”

Shepard also serves on the Advisory Council of the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging, which is responsible for planning and developing policy and advocating for the needs of seniors. The council advises Sonoma County Supervisors, allocates funds for programs as they become available, and makes certain public transportation is accessible. The agency will soon schedule training seminars to educate service providers about LGBT seniors and their specific needs.

Brozovich is excited about the prospect of joining a local LGBT group that is planning to march in Sonoma’s Fourth of July Parade, but Smith’s reaction is a knitted brow and pensive stare. Smith, who teaches French to seniors at Vintage House in Sonoma, seems a bit more reluctant about expressing her sexual preference in a public setting. Smith seems to soften to the idea when she talks about bringing her partner to a party at Vintage House and introducing Brozovich as her partner. And her students were fully accepting.

Shepard makes certain that all LGBT seniors feel welcome, regardless of how open they are about their homosexuality. Some seniors have been forced back into the closet because of where they live or where they work or which senior center they frequent. This generation remembers pre-gay liberation times, during which members of their community were forced into reparative therapy, kicked out of schools, fired from jobs, or otherwise disgraced when their homosexuality was revealed.

“I’m thinking of moving the meeting to the Sonoma Senior Center, if the group approves, so that we have a stronger presence in the senior community,” said Shepard. “The ultimate outcome of the group is when members make contact with each other outside of the group by sharing rides and helping one another out. There is a real need for such support groups.”

The Sonoma Valley Senior LGBT Group meets at 10:30 a.m. every third Friday of the month at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma in Room 210. Contact Gary Shepard, Spectrum Program Coordinator at 707.583.2330 or e-mail him at gary@spectrumlgbtcenter.org