ipl-logo

Hate-Crime Legislation Examples

1916 Words8 Pages

An example of the core legislation in regards to hate crimes is the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009). This act is imperative because it mandates that the federal government become involved with any alleged hate crime, even if the state does not investigate. Additionally, it expands the degree of investigation that the FBI can engage in when determining if an offense is a crime of prejudice. Four areas, it can investigate which were previously unexamined include sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. This is of great significance because it emphasizes that no group is overlooked, and that all are included. The most essential thing that the Hate Crimes Prevention Act does is to provide …show more content…

This perspective is shared by Elizabeth Birch in her piece “Hate Crime Laws are Needed to Protect Gays and Lesbians,” when she asserts, “Opponents of the hate-crime legislation like to obfuscate the issue by the saying that hate-crime laws punish thought. However, the HCPA does not apply to hateful thoughts, just violent actions that cause bodily injuries or death” (122). This quote, in essence, serves as a reflection of how a line of difference is drawn between hateful thoughts and prejudice that begets …show more content…

According to “The Gay Lesbian, and Straight Education Network”, there are approximately 15 states that have anti-bullying laws on the books while 45 others do not. The laws within these states focus on enumeration which lists different groups and individuals that might be targeted, and provides indicators to look for. In addition to anti-bullying laws, there are 13 states which have non-discrimination policies on their books as well, which include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. According to “The New York Times” article “Bullying Law Puts New Jersey School on

Open Document