The following is a letter from the Matthew Duckett, communications director of the Colorado Stonewall Democrats. There's a lot of important information following the jump so be sure to check it out and do your part to support the politicians that support Colorado's GLBT community:
I'm writing you to keep you up to date on issues affecting the LGBT community here in Colorado and in the nation. There is information here on Hate crimes, HB1260 and SB88.
A battle appears to be beginning in Congress over hate crimes. Two years ago, the House and the Senate both passed this bill. If George W. Bush had not vetoed that important bill, it probably would be law today. Providing a vital piece of protective legislation against the crimes of hate upon persons within the LGBT community.
Now, here in 2009, we have a chance to finally get this bill signed into law. We encourage you to call, write and visit your US Representative and your US Senators encouraging them to stand beside us in this time of need.
More after the jump.
Things to mention:
Bias Motivated Crime Laws sends a Message
...Bias Motivated crimes are not like any other crime, they are intended to create fear and terrorize a target group. Bias motivated crime LAWS send a clear message to victims, perpetrators, and law enforcement officials that crime motivated by bigotry and hatred will not be tolerated.
Anti-LGBT Violence is Widespread
...In 2007, information on 1,195 incidents in which the perpetrators’ motivating factor was the victims’ actual or perceived sexual orientation an 18% increase in such incidents from the FBI's 2005 report.
...Additionally, 2007 had the third highest murder rate in the past 10 years that the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has been compiling the Hate Violence Report with murders more than doubling (from 10 in 2006 to 21 in 2007).
Bias Motivated Crime Laws Aid Law Enforcement
...Bias motivated crimes laws enable law enforcement to investigate low-level crimes, such a graffiti, property damage and harassment, and give an enhanced penalty. low level crimes that go unaddressed or unpunished can turn into more violent crimes.
...Bias motivated crimes laws also help law to develop training and other effective strategies for prevention and intervention.
Bias Motivated crimes laws Punish Crime, Not Speech
...A federal law can be drafted similar to Colorado's so as not to abridge freedom of speech as guaranteed in the 1st amendment. Bias motivated crime laws do not punish speech, bu rather activity that is already defined as criminal. Bias motivated speech that is not accompanied by criminal activity is not punishable.
***
Update on HB 1260
HB 1260, the Designated Beneficiaries bill. The bill has passed through the house and now moves on to the senate.
Please take a moment to thank the representatives who voted in favor of this bill. The legislators who supported the bill are listed below (if you don’t know who your representative is, go to www.votesmart.org).
Contact your representative and thank them for supporting the designated beneficiaries bill, which will:
· Provide a low-cost, convenient mechanism for Coloradans to choose the person to take care of them in medical emergencies and provide for them in the event of their death.
· Will protect people who take responsibility for their affairs by utilizing this new, accessible, convenient, and affordable tool.
The bill is scheduled to be heard before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday March 16th. We will keep you informed as things move forward.
Call or e-mail now!
Thank the representatives who voted in favor of HB 1260:
Rep. Dennis Apuan
D- Dist. 17
303-866-3069
dennis.apuan.house@state.co.us
Rep. Debbie Benefield
D- Dist. 29
303-866-2950
debbie.benefield.house@state.co.us
Rep. Terrance Carroll
D- Dist. 7
303-866-2346
terrance.carroll.house@state.co.us
Rep. Edward Casso
D- Dist. 32
303-866-2964
edward.casso.house@state.co.us
Rep. Lois Court
D- Dist. 6
303-866-2967
lois.court.house@state.co.us
Rep. Kathleen Curry
D- Dist. 61
303-866-2945
kathleen.curry.house@state.co.us
Rep. Mark Ferrandino
D- Dist. 2
303-866-2911
mark.ferrandino.house@state.co.us
Rep. Randy Fischer
D- Dist. 53
303-866-2917
randy.fischer.house@state.co.us
Rep. K. Jerry Frangas
D- Dist. 4
303-866-2954
kjerryfrangas@earthlink.net
Rep. Sara Gagliardi
D- Dist. 27
303-866-2962
sara.gagliardi.house@state.co.us
Rep. Cheri Gerou
R- Dist. 25
303-866-2582
cheri.gerou.house@state.co.us
Rep. Gwyn Green
D- Dist. 23
303-866-2951
gwyn.green.house@state.co.us
Rep. Dickey Lee Hullinghorst
D- Dist. 10
303-866-2915
dl.hullinghorst.house@state.co.us
Rep. Joel Judd
D- Dist. 5
303-866-2925
joel.judd.house@state.co.us
Rep. John Kefalas
D- Dist. 52
303-866-4569
john.kefalas.house@state.co.us
Rep. Andy Kerr
D- Dist 26
303-866-2923
andy.kerr.house@state.co.us
Rep. Jeanne Labuda
D- Dist. 1
303-866-2966
jeanne.labuda.house@state.co.us
Rep. Claire Levy
D- Dist 13
303-866-2578
claire.levy.house@state.co.us
Rep. Don Marostica
R- Dist. 51
303-866-2947
don.marostica.house@state.co.us
Rep. Tom Massey
R- Dist. 60
303-866-2747
tom.massey.house@state.co.us
Rep. Beth McCann
D- Dist. 8
303-866-2959
beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Rep. Buffie McFadyen
D- Dist. 47
303-866-2905
mcfadyen2002@hotmail..com
Rep. Anne McGihon
D- Dist. 3
303-866-2921
anne.mcgihon.house@state.co.us
Rep. Michael Merrifield
D- Dist. 18
303-866-2932
michael.merrifield.house@state.co.us
Rep. Karen Middleton
D- Dist. 42
303-866-3911
karen.middleton.house@state.co.us
Rep. Joe Miklosi
D- Dist. 9
303-866-2910
joe.miklosi.house@state.co.us
Rep. Sal Pace
D- Dist. 46
303-866-2968
sal.pace.house@state.co.us
Rep. Cherilyn Peniston
D- Dist. 35
303-866-2843
cherilyn.peniston.house@state.co.us
Rep. Jack Pommer
D- Dist. 11
303-866-2780
jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
Rep. Dianne Primavera
D- Dist. 31
303-866-4667
dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us
Rep. Kevin Priola
R- Dist. 30
303-866-2912
kevin.priola.house@state.co.us
Rep. Joe Rice
D- Dist. 38
303-866-2953
joe.rice.house@state..co.us
Rep. Jim Riesberg
D- Dist. 50
303-866-2929
jim.riesberg.house@state.co.us
Rep. Ellen Roberts
R- Dist. 59
303-866-2914
ellen.roberts.house@state.co.us
Rep. Su Ryden
D- Dist. 36
303-866-2942
su.ryden.house@state..co.us
Rep. Christine Scanlon
D- Dist. 56
303-866-2952
christine.scanlon.house@state.co.us
Rep. Sue Schafer
D- Dist. 24
303-866-5522
sue.schafer.house@state.co.us
Rep. Judy Solano
D- Dist. 31
303-866-2918
judy.solano.house@state.co.us
Rep. Nancy Todd
D- Dist. 41
303-866-2919
nancy.todd.house@state.co.us
Rep. Edward Vigil
D- Dist. 62
303-866-2916
edward.vigil.house@state.co.us
Rep. Paul Weissmann
D- Dist. 12
303-866-2348
paul.weissmann.house@state.co.us
***
Update on SB88 Extending Heathcare benefits to Same Sex partners of Colorado State Employees
This bill passed in the Senate and was Introduced in the House - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs. It is scheduled to be heard Tuesday, March 10.
Please take a moment to thank the Senators who voted in favor of this bill. The legislators who supported the bill are listed below (if you don’t know who your representative is, go to www.votesmart.org)..
Senator Bacon Y
Senator Hodge Y
Senator Morse Y
Senator Shaffer B. Y
Senator Boyd Y
Senator Hudak Y
Senator Newell Y
Senator Isgar Y
Senator Tapia Y
Senator Keller Y
Senator Carroll M. Y
Senator Kester Y
Senator Romer Y
Senator Veiga Y
Senator Foster Y
Senator Sandoval Y
Senator White Y
Senator Gibbs Y
Senator Williams Y
Senator Groff Y
Senator Heath Y
Senator Schwartz Y
