The Hate Crimes Bill passed in the House of Representatives Wednesday.
Impassioned arguments for and against the bill came from both sides of the aisle, according to
Tips-Q. Republican from Louisiana, Joseph Cao, along with out lesbian Tammy Baldwin a Democrat (D-Wi) and openly gay Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat were among those who spoke strongly in favor of the bill.
"I seek protection from violent crime but I can assure you that I don't seek your approval," Frank told the bill's opponents.
President Barack Obama came issued a statement Tuesday urging lawmakers to pass the bill, according to
Advocate.com. "This week, the House of Representatives is expected to consider H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. I urge members on both sides of the aisle to act on this important civil rights issue by passing this legislation to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance - legislation that will enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association. I also urge the Senate to work with my Administration to finalize this bill and to take swift action."
The Hate Crimes Bill passed despite argument from opponents like
Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina, who called Matthew Shephard's murder "a hoax," suggesting his brutal murder in 1997 was part of a robbery and had nothing to do with his being gay.
