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.

[spodefly]

Hate Crime = Thought Crime.

Plus, as a straight white male, if someone beats or kills me, they are charged with assault or murder. If I were gay, and someone beats or murders me, then they get charged with assault⁺ or murder⁺.

"All animals are equal, but SOME animals are more equal than others."

[spodefly]

Posts 82 and 83 removed at posters request. Thanks.

[Clemenza]

No, d-----bag, but it is UNECESSARY as it creates another PROTECTIVE CLASS of people. MURDER IS MURDER. There is NO FRIGGIN REASON why we need addditional punishments just because the murderer had something against trannies and "friends of Dorothy."

Please go back to your log cabin and leave us real Republicans alone.

[Clemenza]

WRONG! To my knowledge, it has always been illegal to murder a person, WHATEVER their sexual orientation. Tell me when it has been legal to kill gays?

I gather you've had too much liberal college propaganda drilled into your brain that it was legal to kill gays somewhere. You and your RINO pal Ahhnold have been misinformed.

[Clemenza]

AMEN!

[freestyle]

That is embarrasing. My post was about how people (like you apparently) are unable to detect the sarcasim in that post.

(Hint: we both agree that this new law is NOT needed.)

But hey! Thanks for the name callin'!

[Clemenza]

What can I say, I rode the small bus to school. :-(

[freestyle]

No harm, no foul.

[ApesForEvolution]

LOL

(sigh)

[ApesForEvolution]

Wow, I always gave you more credit than this...

[Bush2000]

Hop aboard the clue train. Jurists and juries already examine the motivation and intent of the criminal in assigning penalties. Wilfull commission of crimes is therefore considered more serious than inadvertent commission of the same crime. This law merely increases penalties for any criminal that evidences motivation to target someone based on sexual preference or gender. We're all interested in seeing criminals pay for their crimes here. No one here is deprived of any right by this law when criminals get punished in a harsher manner.

As for "hate speech" being punishable on its own -- in the absence of a crime -- that's just plain fear-mongering. Hate crimes laws have been on the books for awhile, and nobody has been prosecuted for "hate speech". This may surprise you, but we have a First Amendment which guards even those who engage in "hate speech". A prosecution based solely on speech content is doomed to failure.

[Bush2000]

Hop aboard the clue train. Jurists and juries already examine the motivation and intent of the criminal in assigning penalties. Wilfull commission of crimes is therefore considered more serious than inadvertent commission of the same crime. This law merely increases penalties for any criminal that evidences motivation to target someone based on sexual preference or gender. We're all interested in seeing criminals pay for their crimes here. No one here is deprived of any right by this law when criminals get punished in a harsher manner.

As for "hate speech" being punishable on its own -- in the absence of a crime -- that's just plain fear-mongering. Hate crimes laws have been on the books for awhile, and nobody has been prosecuted for "hate speech". This may surprise you, but we have a First Amendment which guards even those who engage in "hate speech". A prosecution based solely on speech content is doomed to failure.

[Bush2000]

I used to think differently about this issue. But having seen one of my gay friends bleeding and bruised in the aftermath of being followed from a restaurant by a bunch of teens and assaulted in the parking lot, he admitted that that incident wasn't the first time that it had happened to him. Some people apparently think it's a lot of fun to beat up on him, simply because his mannerisms are different from ours. They slammed his head on the pavement and kicked him. And for what reason?!? Because he's gay?!? WTF?!? I want these criminals to go away for a long time -- but I don't have any problem seeing them go away longer for having targeted my friend. He didn't (and doesn't) deserve that kind of crap. Most of you have justified this kind of behavior, feeling safe in the knowledge that you're not as likely to be attacked as some of these people. But that's the point. They're targets. And this law sends a signal that continuing to target them means more jail time. I'm all for that.

[beezdotcom]

My Congresswoman put it better than I, when she responded to an email I sent:

..."I do not support 'hate crimes' legislation. I believe our law enforcement and judicial system should be focused upon holding individuals accountable for what they do, not what they think. Moreover, such initiatives are grounded upon the false notion that crimes motivated by hate are somehow more serious than crimes of envy, lust, greed, or any other evil compulsion that may motivate an attacker..."

I'm very pleased with Jo Ann Davis, my Congresswoman.

[ApesForEvolution]

We need to find other means to rid our society of public deviancy by helping the individuals, with their root problems...which starts with God and family in America. I'm for the IMMEDIATE PROSECUTION OF THE ACLU UNDER EXISTING RICO STATUTES TODAY! That's our best plan for America today, followed by registering and accounting for every single Muhammadan in America today, particularly males over the age of thirteen. But the borders and ports must be 100% secured first. There's my platform...lol Still love ya buddy, I know what you mean, got friends too...we just have to help people out of the gutter spiritually or we're done as a Free and Safe and Happy and Prosperous Light on the planet...they want to kill the last light of nations in the world...America.. (it's so obvious, isn't it?)

[radicalamericannationalist]

Rich people are targets for muggers. Should we lengthen sentences for them?

[radicalamericannationalist]

On his mind? Getting support for amending the Constitution so he can run for President. Conservatives should be very wary of the Gropernator. He has the potential to be the GOP Clinton.

[Feiny]

I suggest your friend get a CCW so he can protect himself. I will even offer training & target practice for him if he is in the LA area.