Monday: Alabama Senate to vote on Hate Crimes
The Huntsville Times carries this commentary by David Person. He reports: “On Monday, House Bill 829 will either be passed by the Alabama Senate or it will die. If passed, it will expand the definition of hate crimes in Alabama to include sexual identity.” Person then analogizes sexual identity and orientation discrimination to race discrimination.
In what some activists consider a bellwether moment for gay rights in the U.S., the Alabama House of Representative passed a pair of gay-inclusive bills in the same day earlier this month. Legislators voted 46-44 to amend the state’s hate crimes law to include sexual orientation, and unanimously passed a measure aimed at reducing bullying in schools.
“The trends we are seeing around the country are seen here in Alabama, too, it’s just not happening overnight,” Danny Upton, executive director of Equality Alabama, said of the May 6 votes . . .
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Related post: Bill to expand Alabama’s hate crimes law moves ahead