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E-mail a friendYOUNG VOICES
Anti-Hate Crimes Bill Should Include Gays
Last week the House of Representatives voted 237-180 to pass an extension of the U.S. anti-Hate Crimes law. Hate Crimes legislation at the Federal level and at state levels increases the penalties for crimes that are proven beyond a reasonable doubt to emanate from hatred.
Clearly, everyone who murders has some serious hate in their hearts. But our legislatures have chosen to have severe penalties for crimes committed on the basis of race or religion.
We have special penalties for people who take time to plot and plan their murders (1st degree) versus those who commit their crimes in the heat of passion. We have special penalties for those who murder on purpose versus those who murder based on some accident or negligence. It is necessary and proper to distinguish between types of murder, because our society judges murderers differently based on the circumstances of the crime. Should we eliminate all these distinctions because they don't "equally" punish the murderer?
The core principles of our democracy are not just that we are ruled by a majority of the governed, but that we also defend the rights of all who find themselves in a minority. Hate crimes legislation are not a "special protection," or a plot against preachers who disapprove of gay life. The hate crimes bill is a rational recognition that while all victims and defendants should get equal protection under law, but convicted criminals should not get the exact same punishments. The President should sign this bill into law.
Read a different opinion on expanding the hate crime law.