It's hard to believe that Matthew Shepard was murdered more than 10 years ago--just for being gay. It's even harder to believe that it took more than 11 years to get a Hate Crimes Bill signed into law! The first bill was introduced just months before Matthew's murder.
In a ten year period from 1997 to 2007, 77,000 hate crimes were reported to the FBI. 15% of those were based on sexual orientation. Yet, it took more than 11 years to revise laws. Really?
For years, Matthew's mother, Judy, fought to create change. The bill was put up for consideration by the late Senator Edward Kennedy of MA. I know he is looking down from heaven...along with Matthew....celebrating that this young person's life was not in vain.
This bill provided a major overhaul to existing legislation. For more information, see this entry
Thank you, President Obama for keeping a promise. We haven't had that in a President in a little while.
WE DID IT, MATTHEW! I hope you are now at peace.
STOP THE HATE!
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