Not Just a Pretty Phrase

Last Wednesday (Sept. 15, 2005) the US House of Representatives passed the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act" by a vote of 223-199. To Federal hate crime classes, the bill adds actual (or perceived) sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. The bill also gives grants to the states to help prosecute hate crimes at the local and state levels.

Congress has finally decided that gay bashing is not just a pretty phrase. Even many Republicans realize that gay bashing can be taken too far--and at that point it is no longer a good thing. We've come a long way from Bowers v. Hardwick, haven't we?

While such a law would probably not do much to deter hate crimes, it is comforting to know that even in this Congress--which has been no friend to gays and lesbians--a majority of lawmakers understand that when hatred of homosexuals spills over into actual violence, society suffers as a whole. Now, if only we could stop the hatred...