Governor Of Puerto Rico: ‘My Duty As A Christian’ To Sign Anti-Discrimination Laws

The newly-elected Governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro García Padilla (image, above,) today signed two bills banning anti-LGBT discrimination into law, calling it his “duty as a Christian.” The legislation also adds “sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to the U.S. commonwealth’s domestic violence laws,” Michael K. Lavers at the Washington Blade reports:

“The dignity of being a human being is inviolable because we are all the same and we must be equal under the law,” the governor said in a tweet before he signed the measures at his official residence in San Juan. “Today is a great day for Puerto Rico. I feel that I have fulfilled my duty as a Christian to sign these laws.”

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“It’s a new day in Puerto Rico,” Pedro Julio Serrano of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force told the Washington Blade before García signed the measures into law. “After years of struggle, we are on the brink of equality. Puerto Rico will be a place for all.”

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz and singer Ricky Martin are among those who have also applauded the passage of the two bills.

In 2009, the murder of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, the teen whose body was found decapitated, dismembered, and burned, drew national attention. Governor Padilla’s predecessor’s refusal to classify the horrific murder as a hate crime almost forced federal officials to invoke the newly-passed Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes law in the case.

In June of 2011, at least three gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender Americans were been murdered in Puerto Rico in one week, which brought the total to a staggering 18 for the previous 18 months.