Date: Thu, 1 Jul 99 15:31:04 -0500 From: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Subject: [NGLTF PRESS] "Show Me" Justice: Missouri Enacts Hate Crimes Law ********************************************* NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: David Elliot, Communications Director 202-332-6483 ext. 3303 800-757-6476 pager delliot@ngltf.org http://www.ngltf.org 1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC ********************************************* 'SHOW ME' JUSTICE: MISSOURI BECOMES FIRST STATE IN 1999 TO ENACT HATE CRIMES LAW JEFFERSON CITY, MO--JULY 1, 1999--Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan today signed into law a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation, gender and disability, making the "Show-Me" state the only state this year to take such action. Missouri's Privacy Rights Education Project (PREP) and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force hailed the move, but expressed regret that other state legislatures and Congress have yet to act to punish hate crimes against all Americans. "Today is a proud day for Missouri," said Jeff Wunrow, PREP's executive director. "Our legislators and our governor have upheld the simple American value that no one should face intimidation, threats, violence, and even death just because of who they are." PREP worked hard with both legislators and Gov. Carnahan to secure passage of the bill, which adds sexual orientation, gender and disability to the existing hate crimes law. Through the definition of sexual orientation, the bill also brings transgendered people under the scope of the law, making Missouri the fourth state to do so. NGLTF Executive Director Kerry Lobel applauded Gov. Carnahan but noted that several states ­ Alabama, Montana, Texas and Wyoming ­ failed to pass strong hate crimes laws despite the fact that these states have witnessed some of the most egregious incidents against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) Americans. "It is unconscionable that so many state legislatures failed to take action to support the most basic expectation of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," Lobel said. "The fact that Missouri acted as it did in the face of a powerful and well-funded religious right political movement speaks to the bravery of Gov. Carnahan and the legislators who supported the bill. Other states should take heed." The bill, SB 328, passed the Senate on April 20 by a vote of 20-14 and passed the House on May 14 by a vote of 85-68. With Governor Mel Carnahan's signature, Missouri becomes the 22nd state to enact a hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation. This year, 26 states have introduced hate crimes penalty enhancement measures. Legislators in only Missouri and New Mexico approved the measures, but in New Mexico, the bill was vetoed by Gov. Gary Johnson. -30- NGLTF tracks GLBT-related legislation in all 50 states. For more information, please consult the 1999 NGLTF Legislative Updates at www.ngltf.org/legupdate99. For a complete review of 1998 activity, check out "Capital Gains and Losses," a state-by-state review of GLBT and HIV/AIDS-related legislation, at www.ngltf.org/cgal98. PREP is a St. Louis-based, non-profit membership organization dedicated to working to ensure the right to privacy for everyone. PREP is an advocate for the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals. PREP achieves its goals through education, grassroots organizing, electoral politics and legislative action. PREP Executive Director Jeff Wunrow may be reached at 314-621-3028. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian and transgendered people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and inequality, 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.