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.

[calcowgirl]

Fearmongering nonsense.

Yeah, and conservancies are a good thing (NOT!)

[Jorge]

No, you guys, this is just the right thing to do. For too long now it's been perfectly legal to assault, even murder, homosexuals.

Tell me you're joking..

[John Lenin]

The only time I have seen a homosexual assaulted for being a homo was when he made a pass at a straight guy that didn't appreciate it. This law is insane.

[Jorge]

I received e-mails indicating that this bill would make teaching on biblical passages against homosexuality a hate crime and subject pastors to arrest. I haven't read the legislation, but that would be a pretty serious impact if it's true.

I don't think it goes that far...YET. But that is the case in Canada.

This just tells me it's the end times and these people are frantic because deep down inside they know Hell is just around the corner.

[SierraWasp]

What? In order to gain absolute power, we're now willing to corrupt ourselves intelectually and absolutely, tollerating all sorts of collectivism, land seizures and group based laws for special victims??? What the hell is going on here???

I see the gelded era is now in full bloom!!! Especially in CA and is rapidly infecting the Republican Party. I'm gittin as mad at what was my nearly lifelong party as Zell is at his!!! In fact, I'm madder than ZELL!!!

[calcowgirl]

Seems to be lots of folk signing up at FR this month showing
blind loyalty for misdirected politicians and their actions.
Strange phenomena ;-)

I need a bigger flyswatter.

[SierraWasp]

"Seems to be lots of folk signing up at FR this month"

This happens everytime we get a little MSM attention... amusing. (there's no "e" in amuseing, is there?)

[savagesusie]

"What kind of crime ISN'T a "hate" crime?"

That is the whole point. We are supposed to be equal under the law. By designating SOME things as "hate crimes", you are saying that some groups are protected and worth more than me or white heterosexual males. Hate crimes wreak of unconstitutionality.

[Bush2000]

That is the whole point. We are supposed to be equal under the law. By designating SOME things as "hate crimes", you are saying that some groups are protected and worth more than me or white heterosexual males. Hate crimes wreak of unconstitutionality.

That's one interpretation. But another interpretation is that gays and transgendered freaks have traditionally gotten the shit kicked out of them by white heterosexual males -- and therefore have cause for needing more protection.

[Bush2000]

The only time I have seen a homosexual assaulted for being a homo was when he made a pass at a straight guy that didn't appreciate it. This law is insane.

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.

[Bush2000]

There are already laws against murder on the books. This law is a symbolic piece of sh-t made to impress airhead females and feminized men think that Ahh-nold is "sensitive."

How does this law take away any of your rights? Planning on committing crimes against gays?

[Feiny]

So, you are for the thought police?

If it is a crime to beat up someone....why is it more of crime to beat someone up because they are gay. Is that equal protection? Nope, it means a crime against a homosexual is somehow worse than a crime against a heterosexual.

[Feiny]

"That's one interpretation. But another interpretation is that gays and transgendered freaks have traditionally gotten the shit kicked out of them by white heterosexual males -- and therefore have cause for needing more protection."

What a load of crap. If there is an assault, then punish it as such. No extra punishment because the victim is gay. That is just stupid. Pretty soon it will be a hate crime to call someone a liberal.

[Bush2000]

So, you are for the thought police?

No, I'm for common sense. These people are targets.

If it is a crime to beat up someone....why is it more of crime to beat someone up because they are gay.

Because for some people, beating up gays is some kind of blood sport. And, unlike you, I know people that have been affected. Very few angry white males need to worry about whether they're going to be assaulted when they leave their house every day. Gays do -- and the fact that they are the way they are doesn't justify disproportionate violence against them.

Is that equal protection? Nope, it means a crime against a homosexual is somehow worse than a crime against a heterosexual.

Leave it to angry white males to turn this into an issue about angry white males. I've never seen a more self-absorbed collection of people in my life.

[Feiny]

Well, I know 2 guys who had their asses kicked by a few gay guys....all because they made the mistake of going into a gay bar. Does that make it a hate crime against a straight person?

Hate crimes are just another word made up by liberals ....like assault rifle.

[Bush2000]

What a load of crap. If there is an assault, then punish it as such.

It is punished as such. The difference is that there's an added penalty for people who specifically target others based on hatred.

No extra punishment because the victim is gay.

That's not the way the law works. Prosecutors have to show cause that a defendant was motivated by hatred. Merely asserting that a defendant hates someone isn't enough. There has to be tangible evidence.

That is just stupid. Pretty soon it will be a hate crime to call someone a liberal.

Remind me of the last time you were hauled into court for exercising your First Amendment rights. I'd really like to know. You're on weak ground.

[Feiny]

It is not about gays...this is about passing stupid laws.
I have lived all over LA & believe me....a very small percentage of gays are worried about getting beaten up. PULEEZE!

[NJ Neocon]

Hate Crime = Thought Crime

[Bush2000]

Well, I know 2 guys who had their asses kicked by a few gay guys....all because they made the mistake of going into a gay bar. Does that make it a hate crime against a straight person?

Nice try. Not biting.

Hate crimes are just another word made up by liberals ....like assault rifle.

Rrrrrright. And everybody needs a rifle with a high capacity magazine, right? Damned deer!

[John Lenin]

The problem is that even with harsher penalties it is not going to stop an attack. It's just more feel good legislation that will acomplish nothing.