Press Release - October 22nd, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 22, 2009

 STONEWALL DEMOCRATS APPLAUD U.S. SENATE PASSAGE OF THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT

WASHINGTON - National Stonewall Democrats and our more than 120 chapters and LGBT Democratic clubs across the country applaud Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and fair-minded members of the U.S. Senate, who today passed the Matthew Shepard Act to expand the 1969 federal hate crimes law to include protections based on actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.  The Senate vote, which comes on the heels of a House vote earlier this month, now sends the measure to President Obama, who has pledged his signature.

Attorney General Eric Holder testified before the U.S. Senate in June that recent killings show the need for a tougher U.S. hate crimes law to stop "violence masquerading as political activism".  We extend our appreciation to the Attorney General and the Obama Administration for their leadership to move this critically important legislation through the U.S. Congress.

"Judy Shepard changed the hearts and minds of Americans," said National Stonewall Democrats Interim Executive Director Kyle Bailey.  "Judy's love for Matthew and her commitment to ensure that he did not die in vain has enabled the passage of legislation that will save countless lives.  From Matthew's death, come life and hope for millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans who now feel more protected from acts of violent crime and more accepted into the fabric of our American society."

Last week, Stonewall Democrats brought to the attention of pro-equality Democrats across the country the names of the 22 House Democrats who voted to remove the Matthew Shepard Act from the Defense Authorization bill - a move that would have killed hate crimes legislation.

CONTACT KYLE BAILEY
kbailey@stonewalldemocrats.org OR 404.630.3975