Hate Crimes and Discrimination

In light of the new bill about to be introduced to the United States House of Representatives, I feel it appropriate to discuss my thoughts on the subject. The bill is to be a Hate Crimes Prevention Act which will protect the rights of all individuals as the current one does, but would also include sexuality and gender identity as well as disability while taking out the part that requires it to be a federal offense.

Religious organizations across the country are battling this bill claiming that it would put a ‘muzzle’ on their rights of speech. They fear that if sexual orientation and gender identity are protected then they won’t be able to read passages from the bible or teach their congregation that homosexuality is against the word of God.

They even cite situations in other countries where pastors have been arrested for giving such sermons in their churches. Fortunately for the pastors that live in the United States of America, they are protected in their freedom of speech – the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Some are claiming that this bill would require law enforcement to spend extra money on crimes that are considered to be “Hate Crimes.” They claim that it creates a minority or a prejudice against those committing the crimes and is unfair. They claim that the term “Hate Crime” creates a prejudice and that all crimes should be prosecuted equally.

There are a few problems with this way of thinking. Currently, our entire judicial and punishment systems are based nearly entirely on motive. The different degrees of murder are determined by motive. Thinking out and preplanning a murder is held differently than a crime of passion, or even self defense. Someone could die because of your actions but based on your intent, motive and state of mind, you could face different punishments or even no punishment at all. Why would it be okay to exclude the motive of hatred for a large group of people based on how they are?

The problem with these anti-freedom organizations that wish to fight this Hate Crimes bill, is that they are completely discriminatory in their actions. There was no outcry from these organizations when the original bill (that passed and is currently in effect) classed these Hate Crimes as crimes committed against someone based on their race, religion, color, ethnicity or national origin. There was no fight when that bill was signed because they were the ones being protected.

Now that the protection is extending to groups that they deem to be ‘wrong’ or ‘immoral’ these organizations are screaming that the entire idea is wrong. They are so eager to limit the rights of people with opposing lifestyles that they are willing to overlook the fact that this bill would include people with physical and mental disabilities.

It is a disturbing thought that we, as humans, would want to limit anyone’s right to live free and safe without worrying for their safety just because of the way they are.

There are bills across the country being shot-down that are trying to make it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation, gender identification and/or disability when it comes to housing, employment, credit, public accommodations and services.
Reasons for voting against these bills range from “Those lifestyles are a choice” to “It’s not right in the eyes of God.” The second you mention ‘God’ in reference to laws, you have lost the argument. Discussing the religious side of this debate is not necessary.

Even if your sexuality is a choice, even if one chooses to identify with a different gender than they were ‘assigned’ at birth, at what point is that a reason to deny anyone basic human rights and fair treatment? Marriage aside, what about the right to work? What about the right to stay in a homeless shelter? What about the right to have a house or a credit card, or even buy a car? There is no reason to deny anyone these rights, and to discriminate against anyone for any reason in any of these cases only hinders our ability to progress as a society.

It amazes me that less than 50 years ago we were having this same debate, only, the issue wasn’t sexual orientation or gender identification, it was race. It is even more astonishing that less than 300 years ago humanity had reached the same point, but that time it was about religion.

Out of these terrible discriminations came some amazing progressions for society, but for some reason, here we are, still bound by our own fear and ignorance. My only hope is that one day society will see beyond the lines of religion, race, disability, sexuality and gender, and just see other human beings here for the same purpose. To live.