By Kathleen Gilbert
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 13, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In what appears to mark the end of a years-long battle over homosexual hate crime legislation in America, the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday passed a law authorizing the federal government to intervene in violent crimes that appear motivated by hatred of homosexuals.
The hate crimes language passed in a 281-146 vote as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill, with 15 Democrats and 131 Republicans voting against the must-pass bill in apparent protest against the hate crime language.
The expanded hate crime legislation would extend special protection to victims of crime based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The measure is now poised to become law after final approval by the Senate. President Obama, as an avowed supporter of the homosexual lobby, is expected to sign the measure.
In April, the House approved similar language as the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Act, but no legislation mirroring the act was approved by the Senate. Homosexual hate crimes legislation passed both House and Senate in 2007, but was vetoed by President Bush.
Conservative leaders condemned the new law and its mode of passage.
“This is radical social policy that is being put on the defense authorization bill, on the backs of our soldiers, because they probably can't pass it on its own,” said House Republican leader John Boehner.
“As a strong supporter of our troops, and the father of three Marines, I will not allow myself to be blackmailed this way,” wrote Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) in a Townhall blog post.
Commenting on Thursday, Family Research President Tony Perkins called the legislation “a direct violation of the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause, since all violent crimes are hate crimes, and every victim is equally important.”
“This measure is about giving special rights based solely on sexual behavior,” he said.
Perkins also said that the law “sets us on a slippery slope toward serious infringements of the freedom of speech and freedom of religion.”
“'Hate crime' legislation will lay the legal foundation and framework for investigating, prosecuting and persecuting pastors, business owners, and anyone else whose actions reflect their faith,” Perkins concluded.
Critics say the bill is apt to chill the free speech of those who voice a moral objection to homosexuality because, under federal law, individuals whose speech is seen to “aid and abet” a violent crime share in the guilt of that crime. While the House bill was changed to include more protection for the expression of Biblical perspectives on homoesxuality, conservative leaders said the gesture was deficient, with Family Research Council vice-president Tom McClusky calling the last-minute alteration “pretty flimsy.”
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Controversial Homosexual “Hate Crimes” Act Set for Senate Vote Thursday
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jul/09071505.html
Free Speech Concerns Ignored as “Hate Crimes” Bill Passes Fed. Judiciary Committee
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042407.html