Indianapolis — (02-20-19) — An antigay group has successfully help strip both LGBTQ and Race from the Indiana Hate Crime Bill. Indiana unfortunately, is one of only five states who have not instituted hate crime laws to protect against LGBTQ discrimination and racism.
The Indiana Hate Crime Bill prior to the removal of LGBTQ and Race, would have protected minority groups by enhancing penalties for those types of attacks.
The so called Hate Crimes Bill has removed the following; “gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and disability” from its language.
Thanks to this watered down piece of legislation, judges will now have sole discretion to add stricter sentences.
Republicans and the registered hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, American Family Association, lobbied successfully against the creation of any hate crimes legislation and they were the first ones to cheer at its defeat.
The other four states without hate crimes laws are Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Wyoming. While Georgia did pass its own version of a hate crime bill in 2000, the Supreme Court invalidated it, calling it ‘unconstitutionally vague.’
Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer
His reporting focuses on federal court rulings, legislative developments, international human rights issues, and government actions impacting LGBTQ communities worldwide.
With nearly two decades of experience, Goldberg is recognized for his balanced analysis, investigative insight, and commitment to accurate, fact-based journalism that informs readers on the political forces shaping equality and justice.
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