Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 23:19:50 -0500 From: Chris Hagin To: Multiple recipients of list GLB-NEWS Subject: Hate Crimes Bill in Colorado (Yes, Colorado) Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 Bipartisan Proposal on Hate Crimes Clears Legislative Hurdle in Colorado DENVER -- Attacking or threatening people because they are gay, disabled or elderly would become a hate crime under a bipartisan proposal that on Wednesday easily cleared its first legislative hurdle. The House Judiciary Committee voted 9-4 to approve the proposal after an emotional hearing that left some lawmakers in tears. Rep. Marcy Morrison, R-Colorado Springs, joined the majority despite political pressure to oppose the bill because of its protection for gays. ``I had phone calls saying don't support House Bill 1257 because of 'those' people,'' Morrison said. ``I guess that sent my red flag up. Thirty years ago, it was black people who were 'those people.' Fifty years ago, it was Jews who were 'those people.' If I had not supported this bill I would not have been true to my own values.'' Those voting against the bill, including Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, said they had a philosophical problem with a law that treats the same crime differently depending upon its circumstances. They also worried it would stifle free speech. Sponsored by six Republicans and five Democrats, the proposal would expand Colorado's ethnic intimidation law to include physical or mental disability, age and sexual orientation. The current law covers race, color, ancestry, religion and national origin. The law allows victims and their family members to sue perpetrators for civil damages and it stiffens the criminal penalties for some offenses. Assault or property damage involving hate crimes would carry tougher penalties than those crimes usually do - though that wouldn't be the case for all crimes. For instance, a rapist whose offense included a hate crime probably wouldn't spend any more time in prison unless the judge ran the sentences consecutively. But the bottom line, proponents say, is that hate-crime legislation sends a message to society at large. ``With the enhanced penalty hopefully will come societal awareness that these things are wrong,'' said Rep. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, the bill's primary sponsor. ``There's enough hurt in this world without you going around and beatin' up people because of who they are.'' A few activists for the disabled testified on behalf of the bill. But the bulk of the testimony focused on gays. As expected, the committee room became a sparring ring for gay rights activists and their opponents. Greg Rowley of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Colorado said his office recorded a 13 percent increase in threats and attacks on gays from 1993 to 1994. Kevin Tebedo of Colorado For Family Values urged the committee not to support what he called a ``homosexual advantage bill.'' Tebedo said voters made it clear when they approved Amendment 2 that they do not want gays to have any specific protection in the law. The measure, passed by Colorado voters in 1992 but put on hold by the courts, would ban laws protecting gays from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. The panel of lawmakers asked few questions during the hearing. When the time came to vote, several grew emotional. As he tried to restrain himself from crying, Rep. Bill Kaufman, R-Fort Collins, recalled how his father, a World War II veteran, had witnessed the carnage of the Nazi death camps. ``Some of the things I've heard in northern Colorado lately make me feel we're headed in that direction,'' he said. ``I've never seen so much hate as I've seen in politics in the last three or four years. And I can't do anything to continue that hatred. I was leaning toward voting against this bill, but I'm going to support it now and when it gets to the floor.'' Others, concerned they would be misunderstood as condoning violence and hatred, voted against the bill somewhat warily. ``I would hope you would not perceive a vote against this bill as hate, `` Rep. Jeanne Adkins, R-Parker. ``I think it's quite possible that what happened in Germany could happen here. But we have to be careful not to say that a crime against one person is worse than a crime against another.'' The proposal now goes to the House Finance Committee - where Colorado for Family Values and other opponents will try to kill it. ``There was a lot of emotion here, but when it gets to the Finance Committee we'll get down to the nuts and bolts,'' said Tebedo. ``Clear heads have to prevail. Nazis and World War II death camps have little to do with this.'' S. CHRISTOPHER HAGIN | The Pledge of Allegance says: Atlanta 1996 | "With liberty and justice for ALL" chagin@mindspring.com | What part of ALL do you not understand? HATE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE