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© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com Pennsylvania lawmakers have passed legislation that gives homosexuals specific, statewide legal protection for the first time, prompting some to predict that pastors in the state will now be targeted for preaching against the "gay" lifestyle. The bill, which passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 118 to 79, adds ''ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity'' to the state's Ethnic Intimidation law, which already raises the grade of crimes motivated by hatred against victims because of their race, color, religion or national origin. According to a report in the Harrisburg Patriot-News,...

Hate Crimes Bill Passes Pa. House Goes to Governor for Signature or Veto After a 90-minute debate, HB 1493, which adds “sexual orientation,” “gender” and “gender” identity to Pennsylvania’s “ethnic intimidation” statute, passed the House by a vote of 118-79. Having already passed the State Senate last year, the measure now goes to Governor Mark Schweiker. He can either sign it, making it law in Pennsylvania, or veto it, which will kill the legislation. Please Call Governor Mark Schweiker at (717) 787-2500 or (800) 932-0784, and urge him to veto House Bill 1493, the “Hate Crimes Amendment." Reasons Why HB...