The Hate Crimes Paradox

The House of Representatives passed today legislation adding homosexual, transgender and transsexual people to the list of those covered by hate crime laws. While the 237-180 vote was nearly party line, 14 Democrats opposed it while 25 Republicans supported it. If and when the Senate passes it, the bill will go to the desk of the President, who announced today he will likely veto it.

I've never been a fan of hate crimes legislation. To me, having tougher sentences for hate crimes demeans victims of crimes that weren't done because of "hate." To me, it's almost as if it is not nearly as much of a crime when someone beats someone else up or kills him or her because of a reason other than racism, sexism, or some sort of discrimination. All crimes are committed because of some sort of hate. Hate crime laws do nothing to make our society more equal and less prejudiced. Identifying a certain crime as a "hate crime" only keeps the idea of "separate and unequal" alive.

Nevertheless, this is not why most of the 180 members of Congress who voted nay today voted their way and it's probably not why President Bush is going to veto this. Let's be real here, most of those opposed to this bill and probably the President would not vote to repeal or support a repeal of hate crime legislation for African-Americans, Jews, or Women. Sure, some would, but most won't. This is an anti-gay vote. This is lip service to the Christian fascists trying to turn this country into a Jesus State.

If we are going to allow hate crimes legislation for everyone else, then it is only fair we include the LGBT community. Some argue they are gay, lesbian, transsexual or transgender by choice. They choose their lifestyle. Even if that was true, which it is not, we do cover choices under hate crimes; religion, for example. You can choose your religion. For instance; I choose to be a non-practicing Catholic. You may choose to be a practicing Christian or Jew and nobody can try to kill you for it. People cannot beat your up for going to a synagogue or to a church, therefore, it is only fair we protect LGBT Americans who some believe choose their lifestyle, and some don't.

There is only one reason for voting against this bill and still supporting hate crimes laws for other groups; you either A.) Cannot seem to separate the Bible from the Constitution or B.) Are afraid of the people who cannot seem to separate the Bible from the Constitution.

Bigotry is the reason for voting against or vetoing this. This continues to prove my point, that the LGBT community is the target of today's prejudice.