Christocrats fight hate crime and anti-discrimination laws to protect gays

Continued from main page, "Fundamentalist christians preaching hatred of homosexuals" (Go back)

The Traditional Values Coalition's campaign against including LGBT individuals in hate crimes legislation. Item 2.

On October 27, 2005, the Traditional Values Coalition sent out an action alert urging its followers to write members of Congress in opposition to one hate crimes amendment and two possible hate crimes measures that would extend protection to gay and lesbian people.

Among the suggested points letter-writers should make: "Homosexuality and cross-dressing are behaviors, not fixed identities and do not merit minority protection under federal laws." And "Pro-homosexual hate crime laws will inevitably result in the persecution of Christians who oppose homosexual conduct for moral and health reasons!" Click to read the action alert.

Right Fights Gay Hate-crimes Measure

By JENNIFER SIEGEL, Forward, January 6, 2006

"Religious conservatives are waging a campaign against efforts to extend the federal hate-crimes law to attacks against gays and lesbians, the second most targeted group in the country.

"In recent weeks, a coalition of 20 right-wing Christian organizations - dubbed the Campaign for Blind Justice - has sponsored full-page newspaper advertisements in swing states like Florida and Indiana, opposing an expansion of the hate-crimes law." Go to the report.

Christians slam 'homophobia' resolution

European Parliament's action equates condition to racism, anti-Semitism

By Mary Jo Anderson, WorldNet Dail.com, February 1, 2006

The European Parliament's recently passed resolution "Homophobia in Europe" has raised alarms among European pro-family groups, Christians and others who worry the measure is a move to cut off public debate over same-sex unions and force universal acceptance of the homosexual.Click here for the report.

Alabama

Vigil Marks Death Of Hate Crime Bill On Anniversary Of Gay Man's Slaying

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff, 365Gay.com, February 20, 2006

"(Montgomery, Alabama) Civil rights advocates marked the sixth anniversary of the murder of an Alabama man with a candlelight vigil on the steps of the state Capitol and a renewed call for hate crime legislation to protect gays and lesbians. A bill that would have added gays to existing groups covered under Alabama's hate crime law was defeated in the House earlier this month." Click here for the report.

Alabama House Rejects Gay Hate Bill

By The Associated Press, 365Gay.com, February 9, 2006

"(Montgomery, Alabama) The state House voted Thursday against changing Alabama's hate crimes law to include offenses against people because of their sexual orientation." Click here for the report.

California

Heated debate may arise from tolerance plan

By Angie Valencia-Martinez, Los Angeles Daily News, January 15, 2006

"SIMI VALLEY - In what could become a source of heated debate, a local school board member wants to establish a tolerance and anti-discrimination program in secondary schools for all students, possibly including those of various sexual orientations," which rankles the religious right. Click here to read the report.

Florida

Florida Schools Group Pushes Lawmakers On Bullying Bill To Include Gays, Others

by The Associated Press, 365Gay.com, March 13, 2006

Florida's state legislature is considering competing bills on bullying. One, sponsored by a Republican would strip localities' ability to designate categories such race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation for protection. The other, by a Democrat, enumerates protected classes and explicitly extends protection to all other victims. Click here for the report.

Kentucky

School Anti-Harassment Training Upheld

By The Associated Press, 365Gay.com, February 18, 2006

A federal judge ruled against students who refused to attend training aimed at stopping anti-gay harassment, saying the training did not violate their religious or free speech rights. Click here for the report.

Montana

School bullying rules clear last public meeting

By Matt Gouras, The Billings Gazette (Montana), January 23, 2006

"Rules proposed as a way to deal with school bullying are unnecessary and could legitimize "the homosexual lifestyle," a critic said Monday at a state meeting." Click here to read the report.

Ohio

Group blocks Cincinnati antidiscrimination law from taking effect

Associated Press via Advocate.com, April 15-17, 2006

"A group opposing a Cincinnati ordinance update that extends discrimination protection to gay people blocked the change from taking effect by asking that the matter go before voters. Citizens for Community Values said on Friday they submitted signatures of 14,000 to 15,000 city residents who want to see the issue placed on the November ballot." Continue

Washington

Sounding the Alarm in Washington State

Christians urged to defend the family through prayer rallies.

by Mona Passignano, Focus on the Family, March 16, 2006

An organization called Sound the Alarm is calling for interdenominational "prayer, repentance and united action" in response to the passage this year of a law protecting gays against hate-crimes and the state Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on same-sex marriage. Click here for the article.

See also: For reports on the struggle to pass Washington's law, which protects against discrimination in housing and employment as well as against hate crimes, (Click here.)