Brian Sims Co-Chairs Hearing To Add LGBT Protections Into Pennsylvania Hate Crimes Law
State Rep. Brian Sims today co-chaired a Democratic hearing to restore protections for LGBT people in Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law.
“They did not stop until they had beaten us into the ground” says victim of recent #phillyhatecrime in Center City.
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
Democratic State Reps. Brian Sims and Mike Sturla today co-chaired  the House Democratic Policy Committee’s hearing on restoring protections for LGBT people to Pennsylvania’s hate-crime law, in response to the brutal September 11 anti-gay hate attack on a same-sex couple that landed them in the hospital.
“Our hate-crime law is leaving out women, LGBT people, and people targeted because of their ancestry or mental or physical disability,” Rep. Sims said, according to a statement released by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. “We must correct this injustice and deter hate crimes, which can have the effect of intimidating an entire segment of the community. Ultimately the public – urban, suburban and rural — must apply pressure to their state representatives and senators to make this right.”
Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law did include protections for LGBT people until 2008 when an an ti-gay Christian activist won a state Supreme Court case. The protections were removed on a technicality and no bill was been passed and signed into law restoring them.
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves to be treated with the same dignity and respect,” Policy Committee Chairman and today’s co-chair Mike Sturla said. “I applaud Representative Sims for attempting to correct the inequity where sexual orientation and gender identity are not covered in the state’s Hate Crimes law.”
Among those testifying at today’s hearing were Caryn Kunkle, a friend of the two men who were beaten on Sept. 11, and Philadelphia District Attorney R. Seth Williams.Â
Below, some tweets and social media posts from today’s hearing:
http://instagram.com/p/tqNj_sQVOm/?modal=true
Caryn Kunkle and Brian Sims
Caryn Kunkle wrapped up the testimony with her compelling letter from the victims. Not a dry eye in the house. #PAEquality…
— EqualityPennsylvania (@EqualityPA) October 2, 2014
As you heard about today, you can sign the @Change petition Caryn created to include #lgbt in PA’s hate crime law. http://t.co/V99oCF39XW
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
“Something needs to be done… In one week, the petition (for #lgbt #Hatecrime laws) has gained over 40,000 signatures”
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
“Often the voices that have not been heard are trans women of color” Sharron Cooks on #HateCrime laws & news coverage pic.twitter.com/Pjch6S7bjF
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
“People with disabilities fell victim to some 1.3 million nonfatal crimes in 2012” Thomas Earle, chair of the PCHR pic.twitter.com/JBmRtfcGR3
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
According to the FBI, sexual orientation is the second most common reason for a hate crime, the first of which being race. #lgbt #Hatecrime
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
.@DASethWilliams #LGBT protections are not “special” protections. All should be protected from #hatecrimes. #PAEquality #LoveOverHate
— EqualityPennsylvania (@EqualityPA) October 2, 2014
Now listening to our third panel on #lgbt #HateCrimes, starting with @templelaw Professor Leonore Carpenter pic.twitter.com/QruTkmG1wW
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
Honored to take part in #pahouse hearing on #HB300 and #HB177 with @RepSims.We must put these laws on the books in PA pic.twitter.com/QptOcoYSDm
— Steve McCarter (@RepMcCarter) October 2, 2014
“If there were a rash of straight beatings across the U.S., I’m sure sexual orientation would be included in the hate crime laws” @RepSims
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
“That attack is not just an attack on that one person.. it’s an attack on that person’s identity” Rep Kevin Boyle in Q&A w/ @DASethWilliams
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
“I think the issue of non-discrimination and hate crimes go hand in hand” @RepDanFrankel talking about #HB300 #lgbt pic.twitter.com/xc1txYjYLU
— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) October 2, 2014
.@DASethWilliams: Not passing #HateCrimes legislation says to Pennsylvanians that #LGBT people don’t count. #PAEquality #LoveOverHate
— EqualityPennsylvania (@EqualityPA) October 2, 2014
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