Date: Fri, 16 Jul 99 16:49:36 -0500 From: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Subject: [NGLTF PRESS] NGLTF 7/15/99 Legislative Update ************************************************ NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: David Elliot, Communications Director delliot@ngltf.org TEL 202/332-6483 x3303, PAGER 800/757-6476 1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ************************************************ TWO STEPS FORWARD, ONE STEP BACK: IN 1999, PRO-GLBT BILLS OUTNUMBER UNFAVORABLE BILLS BY TWO-TO-ONE RATIO JULY 16, 1999-With most state legislatures either winding down or adjourned for 1999, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force today reported that pro-GLBT bills outnumbered unfavorable bills by a two-to-one ratio, with most of the positive action coming in the areas of domestic partners benefits and hate crimes. The NGLTF July 16th State Legislative Update found that while some states reported heartbreaking defeats in hate crimes legislation and safe schools proposals, more bills advanced further through the legislative process than ever before. "We still have much, much work to do, but the current snapshot of legislative activity across the United States shows the importance of grassroots mobilization," said NGLTF Executive Director Kerry Lobel. "The tens of thousands of GLBT people who participated in the 350 Equality Begins At Home events last March turned their activism into action. They organized, lobbied, petitioned, and marched on state capitols in order to see social justice prevail." Some of the highlights of the July legislative update include: * Missouri became the 22nd state to enact a hate crimes law inclusive of sexual orientation. The bill also is inclusive of gender identity, making Missouri the fourth state (behind Minnesota, California and Vermont) to include transgendered people in its hate crimes legislation. * Vermont passed a law that allows the state Attorney General to seek injunctive relief on behalf of hate crimes victims. * Alabama enacted a domestic violence law that potentially could cover GLBT people. * Unfortunately, while some states approved or toughened hate crimes statutes, many other states defeated proposed legislation. Chief among these were Alabama, Texas and Wyoming, states that each have witnessed brutal murders of GLBT people this past year alone. For the complete text of the July 15 State Legislative Update, please visit http://www.ngltf.org/legupdate99. For a complete review of 1998 activity, reference "Capital Gains and Losses," a state by state review of GLBT and HIV/AIDS-related legislation at http://www.ngltf.org/cgal98. -30- _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to the contact at the top of this message. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to . You may also unsubscribe by visiting http://www.ngltf.org.