PA House Judiciary Committee Vote on Hate Crimes Bill (HB 745)

Help Us Pass LGBT-Inclusive Hate Crimes Legislation in Pennsylvania!

With the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act now LAW, hate crimes perpetrated against LGBT Americans can now be prosecuted! However, did you know that the vast majority of hate crimes are committed at the state level? Comprehensive Pennsylvania Hate Crimes legislation is now needed to ensure that ALL victims of hate crimes are protected.

Next week, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee will hold a vote on whether to send House Bill 745, a comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive Hate Crimes Bill to the floor of the PA House of Representatives for debate and eventually a vote.

This bill would amend the Title 18 Ethnic Intimidations Act to define crimes against individuals based on “actual or perceived ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity” as ethnic intimidation, or hate crimes.

Passing House Bill 745 is very important because currently the above listed groups are not protected on the state level from hate crimes and violence. Under current law, someone who commits a crime against a victim solely because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity does not commit as serious of an offense under the law as someone who, for example, commits a crime against a person because of race or religion. It is important to protect all Pennsylvanians from hate violence, and House Bill 745 would do so.

Now is more important than ever to CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE serving on the PA House Judiciairy Committee and tell them to vote in favor of HB745!

Tell me more

Talking Points

- From 2006 to 2007 hate violence in the state of Pennsylvania has increased by 28 percent

Since 2001, over 430 Pennsylvanians have called Equality Advocates PA to report acts of hate violence. The rise in violence inflicted on those under the age of eighteen has more than doubled. Both the state and federal government have consistently failed to uphold their responsibility to put an end to the surge in violence and ensure that all citizens receive the protection they need.

- According to one FBI report, current attacks on LGBT individuals are underreported by at least 33%

Hate crimes legislation would encourage victims of hate violence to report the attacks. Equality Advocates PA received fifty-four calls from hate crimes victims in just one year.

- Most importantly, 73% of the American people support hate crimes legislation.

They support strengthening laws to give local law enforcement, police and sheriff's departments the tools and resources they need to prevent and prosecute these heinous acts.

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Pennsylvania House Committee on Gaming Oversight (if you live in Pennsylvania)

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