Tell Senator Kennedy: Please Include Transgender People In The Hate Crimes Bill!

Senator Ted Kennedy is a long supporter of the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Massachusetts and the entire country.  Senator Kennedy's vision and leadership has been crucial in advancing the fight for LGBT rights throughout the country. 

In the 108th Congress, Senator Kennedy was instrumental in shepherding the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA, i.e. Hate Crimes Bill) through the Senate.  However, we now need to ask Senator Kennedy to adjust the language of the LLEEA in the Senate so that it can fully cover all members of our community.  As the Senate bill currently reads, transgender people are not clearly covered.  Unfortunately, transgender people are often times victims of heinous hate violence, and they clearly need to be covered under any proposed hate crimes law. 

Please take a moment and send a FREE FAX to Senator Kennedy and ask him to add "gender identity" to the language of the bill so that it explicitly covers transgender people. 

Unfortunately, transgender people are an especially vulnerable part of our community, suffering hate murders approximately once per month.  Their exclusion from the current language of LLEEA is a wrong that must be righted. 

Once Again: Please take a moment and send a FREE FAX to Senator Kennedy and ask him to add "gender identity" to the language of the bill so that it explicitly covers transgender people.  Just fill out the form to your right and your fax will be sent directly to Senator Kennedy's office. 

Its time we speak out and say, "not without our transgender brothers and sisters."  Please contact Senator Kennedy today. 

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a resident of Massachusetts, I respect your long career protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

It has come to my attention that the current Senate version of the Local Law Enforcment Enhancement Act (LLEEA) does not include explicit language protecting transgender people.

I ask that you correct this and adjust the language of the bill to expressly include "gender identity." Without clear language it is highly possibly that the courts may not interpret the law as transgender-inclusive.

Unfortunately, transgender people face hate murders approximately once a month. Even once a year is one too many. Our transgender brothers and sisters need explicit coverage in LLEEA. Once again, I hope that you will lead the way in changing the Senate bill to add "gender identity", ensuring that all parts of our community are included.

Once again Senator, thank you for your continued leadership on issues of civil rights. Your advocacy for the addition of "gender identity" to LLEEA will help in the efforts to stop all hate violence across this great country.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 04, 2005