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Does including sexual orientation in Hate Crimes Prevention Legislation give homosexuals special protection?

April 26, 2017crimes hate homosexuals legislation Orientation prevention sexual special

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Does including sexual orientation in Hate Crimes Prevention Legislation give homosexuals special protection?

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There is nothing “special” about wanting to live free of violence in our society. Evidence shows that lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans are frequent targets of hate crimes. It would be inappropriate and irresponsible to leave this community out of the solution. It’s well established that the term “sexual orientation” means homosexuality, bisexuality and heterosexuality. In the Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990, the term “sexual orientation” is defined as “consensual homosexuality or heterosexuality.” Also, the FBI collects statistics on hate crimes based on bisexuality. Hate Crimes Prevention Legislation adds sexual orientation, gender and disability to existing federal law regarding the government’s authority to the investigate and prosecute violent crimes. This authority already exists for crimes committed because of the victim’s race, color, religion and national origin. Hate Crimes Prevention Legislation brings more uniformity and fairness to the existing law.