“Today marks a historic milestone for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and for the entire country. With the president’s signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, both sexual orientation and gender identity have, for the first time in U.S. history, been explicitly included in federal law.
“It has taken over a decade of perseverance to get to this momentous day, and we thank all those who have worked to achieve this incredible victory. Laws embody the values of our nation, and through the enactment of this hate crimes law, our country has — once and for all — sent a clear and unequivocal message that it rejects and condemns all forms of hate violence, including crimes motivated by hatred of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“We look forward to the days ahead when we will join together again to celebrate full equality and recognition of our community, including in employment, the military and in the full recognition of our families. The Task Force is committed to the work necessary to bring full equality to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We know that we have much work ahead of us. Today, we must pause and shine a light on this critical first step taken by Congress, and the willingness of this president to follow through on his promise to sign this legislation ensuring the laws of the land will protect all of us.” – REA CAREY, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
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“I applaud the President and all of Congress for passing this historic bill into law. I also thank Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s mother, for her courageous battle and her work towards passing this Act. Her commitment and passion are a true testament to the love of a parent. As parents, it is our calling to protect our children and keep them safe. That is what motivates the heroism of LGBT parents each day as they work to create a better world for their children by telling their stories and making more welcoming schools, places of worship and government, one act, one institution at a time. Bias-motivated violence against any individual hurts our entire community. This bill will provide the resources and protections needed to ensure greater safety to our children, parents and all members of LGBT families.” – JENNIFER CHRISLER, Executive Director, Family Equality Council
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“When Dennis and I started calling 10 years ago for federal action to prevent and properly prosecute hate crimes against gay, lesbian and transgendered Americans, we never imagined it would take this long.
“The legislation went through so many versions and so many votes that we had to constantly keep our hopes in check to keep from getting discouraged,” she continued. “But with President Obama’s support and the continually growing bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate lining up behind the bill this year, it became clear that 2009 was the year it would finally happen.
“We are incredibly grateful to Congress and the president for taking this step forward on behalf of hate crime victims and their families, especially given the continuing attacks on people simply for living their lives openly and honestly,” Shepard added. “But each of us can and must do much more to ensure true equality for all Americans.” – JUDY SHEPARD, Matthew’s mother and the president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors
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“NJDC commends President Barack Obama for signing The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law.
“At a time when extremist violence can be seen all too frequently, this
new law will expand the scope of the federal hate crimes law to
include sexual orientation, disability, and gender identity.
“The American Jewish community has been a leading voice in advocating for expanded hate crimes legislation for years, as these crimes
victimize a much larger community, while fostering intolerance and
bigotry. The time for this powerful law enforcement and data
collection tool has long since arrived, and we thank the President for
helping our nation achieve this important milestone.” – MARC R. STANLEY, chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC)
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“This law honors our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters whose lives were cut short because of hate. Today’s signing of the first major piece of civil rights legislation to protect LGBT Americans represents a historic milestone in the inevitable march towards equality. Although this is a major step in fighting the scourge of hate violence, it is not the end of the road. As a community, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to changing not only laws but also hearts and minds. We know that hate crimes not only harm individuals, but they terrorize entire communities. After more than a decade of advocacy, local police and sheriffs’ departments now have the full resources of the Justice Department available to them.
“We applaud President Obama for signing this bill into law and thank the leadership and our allies in the House and Senate. We also will always remember the tireless efforts of Senator Edward Kennedy on this issue. Senator Kennedy once said that this legislation sends ‘a message about freedom and equality that will resonate around the world.’ This marks the first time that we as a nation have explicitly protected the LGBT community in the law. And this law sends a loud message that perpetrators of hate violence against anyone will be brought to justice.” – JOE SOLMONESE, president, Human Rights Campaign
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“The passage of this important, comprehensive and inclusive federal hate crimes law was long overdue. For 12 long years we have worked hard with coalition partners to build the case in Washington that this law was not just necessary, but vital to ensure that all victims of hate crimes would be covered, and that local and federal officials would have the tools they need to prosecute these horrific crimes to the fullest extent of the law. The passage of this bill is a monumental achievement, and a great day for America.” – ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN, national director, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
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"The bill President Obama signed into law today is an important step forward in giving America's valiant servicemembers and their families the supports they need and deserve. This new law expands on last year's first-ever expansion of the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Now, after today, families of veterans, rather than just active servicemembers, will be able to access 26 weeks of unpaid leave to care for wounded veteran family members.
“Equally important, today's action means that all military families, not just families of National Guard and Reserve members, will have access to 12 weeks of qualifying exigency leave. These are badly needed advances that will make a real difference to military families. We applaud lawmakers for taking these steps.
“But it is important to remember that millions of workers in this country still are not covered by the FMLA because they work for employers with fewer than 50 workers and/or they do not meet the law's tenure requirements. The nation has more work to do to ensure that all military families - and all workers - have the family and medical leave they need. We need to expand the FMLA to cover more workers who need leave for more reasons, and adopt paid leave so workers do not risk bankruptcy, poverty spells and foreclosures when they get sick or need to care for a loved one.
“In addition, the bill President Obama signed today extends the federal hate crime law to cover crimes based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability. This new law will provide badly-needed tools to address and help deter gender-bias hate crimes, making federal assistance available where it is needed most - when local authorities are unable or unwilling to prosecute violent crimes driven by the victim's gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. It sends a strong message that violent hate crimes fueled by gender bias are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This is most welcome and long overdue." – DEBRA L. NESS, president, National Partnership for Women & Families
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“We’ve struggled for many years to enact this legislation, but I am deeply grateful to see these protections become federal law. This bill exemplifies our deepest American values, it ensures strong action against senseless violence against people targeted simply because of who they are, and furthermore it will protect the religious freedom of all clergy to speak out on any issue they feel passionately about. It is shameful that opponents of this bill and the Religious Right have waged a dishonest and unfair campaign against it, and I am thankful to all those who stood up to defend those most in need.” – THE REV. TIMOTHY McDONALD, People For the American Way board member and chairman of the African American Ministers In Action
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"This is a historic moment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. For the first time ever, federally mandated civil rights for the LGBT community are a reality. The Fairness Campaign applauds President Obama for his leadership and advocacy of this vital hate crimes measure, which we expect is just the first step towards full and equal civil rights for all Americans." – CHRIS HARTMAN, director of the Fairness Campaign
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"It’s good that the U.S. government has finally taken action to deter hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. But by continuing to permit or even require discrimination against LGBT people in our relationships, in public service and in the workplace, the government fuels the very bigotry that results in violent attacks.” – TANNER EFINGER, Equality Across America
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