Schwarzenegger signs hate crimes law [protecting gays, transgendered]

PlanetOut Network via Yahoo! News ^ | 9/24/04

[Cracker72]

PlanetOut Network

SUMMARY: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) signed a hate crimes bill on Wednesday that includes crimes motivated by a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a hate crimes bill on Wednesday that includes crimes motivated by a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

It was the second time this month that Schwarzenegger, a Republican, signed legislation that protects the rights of LGBT residents in the state. He signed a law on Sept. 13 that required insurance companies to provide coverage to registered domestic partners.

Known as the Omnibus Hate Crimes Act of 2004 (or SB 1234), the new law creates a uniform definition of a hate crime that includes offenses based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also covers crimes against victims based on their associations with people who are gay or transgender.

"California is working to unify its citizens as others attempt to divide us," Cheryl Jacques, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement. "We hope this welcome development acts as a beacon to Congress to take similar steps in protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans from the scourge of hate crimes."

The U.S. House of Representatives was expected to begin considering a similar national hate crimes law, known as the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA, S. 966/H.R. 4204), later this week.

The Log Cabin Republicans (news - web sites), the nation's largest gay and lesbian GOP group, reacted to the new law as a victory for the moderate side of the Republican Party.

"We can be the party of the Gov. Schwarzenegger that includes equality for the LGBT community, as part of a mainstream Republican message of hope, not fear, or we can be the party of Lou Sheldon and Alan Keyes (news - web sites), that divides our families by preaching intolerance and hate," said Jeff Bissiri, chairman of Log Cabin California.

California's new hate crimes law was written by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, and sponsored by Equality California, the statewide LGBT rights group.

[Feiny]

Instead of harsher punishments for crimes against gays, I suggest they learn self defense. Tell your friend to check out the Pink Pistols.....

[Feiny]

http://www.pinkpistols.com

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I am sure homosexuals have committed vastly more crimes against children than have been done against them.

The only way to get an amendment would be to cheat.

[savagesusie]

crap

My sentiments exactly. Arnold doesn't understand the repercusions of his actions, because he does have a son, so should care. "Arnie, behaviors should NOT be forced upon people when they are an affront to the family unit! You are on the slippery slope to moral relativism!"

[Squealer]

And, all of you angry white males: The universe doesn't revolve around you (despite what you think).

So, straight White-males should accept being treated as 3rd class citizens (thanks to racist affirmative-action) because the universe doesn't revolve around them? I suppose the "Jim Crow" laws were acceptable because the universe doesn't revolve around Blacks. The universe doesn't revolve around Homosexuals, so they shouldn't get special treatment either.

As long as straight White-males are treated unequally in America, they have the right to be angry.

[Squealer]

Leave it to angry white males to turn this into an issue about angry white males.

Perhaps these "hate crime" laws should protect White males from "minorities" and homosexuals.

I've never seen a more self-absorbed collection of people in my life.

If by, self-absorbed, you're speaking of "minorities" and homosexuals I would have to agree with you. They aren't special and don't deserve special protection.

[Squealer]

You're abusing the term. "Equal protection" applies to your rights under the law -- not the penalties. You, as a victim of a crime, don't have a right to set the penalties for the offender. That's society's choice -- and if society deems that some crimes are more harsh than others, it already discriminates on that basis.

Would you agree that affirmative-action violates "Equal protection" under the law?

[Bush2000]

So, straight White-males should accept being treated as 3rd class citizens (thanks to racist affirmative-action) because the universe doesn't revolve around them?

Explain how you're treated as "3rd class citizens". Criminals get punished, either way.

[Bush2000]

Would you agree that affirmative-action violates "Equal protection" under the law?

Yes. I'm not in favor of civil reparations.

[Squealer]

Explain how you're treated as "3rd class citizens". Criminals get punished, either way.

Who decides what is and isn't a "Hate" Crime? Thought crimes are subjective. You see, discrimination against straight White-males is mandated by law, but discrimination against "minorities" and homosexuals is now a criminal offense. Why do "minorities" and homos get superior protection under the law, does the universe revolve around them? ... they seem to think so.

[Squealer]

Yes. I'm not in favor of civil reparations.

I agree. Affirmative-action needs to go away, soon. Oh well, take care.

-Squealer-

[Bush2000]

Who decides what is and isn't a "Hate" Crime?

Judges. Juries. Evidence.

[Fatalis]

Somebody please explain your opposition to this law.

So called hate crime laws are always pushed by those who are soft on crime in the first place.

[Fatalis]

these laws make sure that there are no loop holes I suppose and I support criminals being in jail for a longer term with specific laws.

What loopholes do these laws close and why does it make sense to only make the terms longer for perps on gays and trannies and not everyone?

[Fatalis]

Then you don't know any gay people. I have a number of gay friends who have been assaulted for no other reason than somebody didn't like the way they dressed or spoke. They don't deserve that kind of crap. None of us do -- but that's the point: They're disproportionately turned into targets. And none of you seem to be willing to admit that.

Doesn't matter its not relevant. Crime victims are individuals and deserve to be respected equally. If you make tougher penalties for gays and trannies you are respecting them more. Make the penalties more severe across the board, that's the answer.

[Bush2000]

So called hate crime laws are always pushed by those who are soft on crime in the first place.

Hardly. I believe in strong criminal penalties. And even more time for people who are motivated by hatred.

[Fatalis]

All crimes are motivated by hatred of something. The point of a penalty is to deter crime. Make the penalties evenly harsh, otherwise you are giving preference to some victims over others.

[Bush2000]

Doesn't matter its not relevant. Crime victims are individuals and deserve to be respected equally.

They are treated equally. Criminals get prosecuted under the same statutes. But there are additional penalties for hate-motivated crimes. The courts already take into account the motivation of a defendant in committing a crime. Judges and juries routinely distinguish between wilfull and inadvertent violation -- and corresponding penalties are handed out.

If you make tougher penalties for gays and trannies you are respecting them more.

Nope. Criminals get the same base sentence for committing the same crime. The difference is that they get additional penalties for committing the crime with hatred -- a special kind of malice. You're not being deprived of anything under such a scenario.

Make the penalties more severe across the board, that's the answer.

That can be done independently of this legislation.

[Bush2000]

All crimes are motivated by hatred of something.

Wrong. Most crimes have nothing to do with hatred.

The point of a penalty is to deter crime.

No, penalties also provide a means for society to separate criminals from law-abiding citizens.

Make the penalties evenly harsh, otherwise you are giving preference to some victims over others.

You might have had an argument, if it turned out that prosecutors were ignoring white, middle-aged, male crime victims -- in order to prosecute the crimes perpetrated against gay or transgendered crime victims. But that's not happening. That's just a fantasy of yours. Criminals get prosecuted. Regardless of whether they commit crimes against you or gay/transgendered victims. But the penalties for criminals are worse for targeting people on the basis of hatred.

And you're forgetting that the bar for proving hate crimes is higher than many of you are imputing. Prosecutors need evidence of actual hate crimes. Not just fanciful feelings. That isn't an easy thing to prove.

[Fatalis]

They are treated equally. Criminals get prosecuted under the same statutes. But there are additional penalties for hate-motivated crimes.

LOL then they aren't treated equally are they? You can't have it both ways but that's all you're trying to do.

Penalties are deterrents which protect victims from crimes. Without laws and penalties the victims have no legal protections. If you have extra penalties for criminals against certain kinds of victims then those kinds of victims are getting extra protection.