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 Clergy From All 50 States Call For Passage Of
Gay Hate & Workplace Bills
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: April 17, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET, updated 5:00
pm ET
(Washington) Clergy from across the country
gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday to call for passage of the Matthew Shepard Act
and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, as hearings began for the Shepard
hate crime bill.
"We are people of faith, and we also have a
commitment to truth," said the Rev. William Sinkford, president of the
Unitarian Universalist Association.
"Much of the rhetoric in opposition to these
bills is blatantly and inexcusably false. So let me be clear: These laws would
not create quotas or force churches to hire people who do not share their
religious values. These laws will not criminalize free speech or impede
religious expression in any way. These laws do not undermine a single
constitutional right. In fact, the contrary is true.”
The Matthew Shepard Act, also known as the Local
Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, was named for the gay college
student who was killed in a homophobic attack in Wyoming in 1998. It was
introduced in the Senate last week. (story)
A similar bill was reintroduced in the House last month. (story)
The bill would allow the Department of Justice to
assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting cases in which
violence occurs and add gays and lesbians to the categories protected under the
legislation.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would
address discrimination in the workplace by making it illegal to fire, refuse to
hire or refuse to promote an employee simply based on the person’s sexual
orientation or gender identity. It would reinforce the principle that employment
decisions should be based on a person’s qualifications and job performance.
"Jewish tradition teaches that we have an
obligation to protect the rights of workers. There are many laws in our Torah
that teach us of our obligations to be fair to workers. This legislation is
about fairness and justice," said Rabbi Denise Eger, of Congregation Kol
Ami in West Hollywood.
"My Lord and Savior, through words and
deeds, has taught me to stand with those who are oppressed," said the
Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre, a Southern Baptist minister and professor of ethics
and religion at Iliff School of Theology in Pueblo, Colorado.
"Because all are created in the image of
God, the imago Dei, violence committed against any one person is violence
committed against the very image of God. As a Latino, I know all too well the
stings of discrimination in the workplace and for that reason I have no choice
but to be here today advocating passage of the hate crimes bill and the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act," said Torre.
The religious leaders visited members of Congress
from their home states to lobby for passage of the two bills. They were
brought to Washington by the Human Rights Campaign.
"For too long, there has been a false
perception in American politics that faith and religion stand diametrically
opposed to equality for GLBT Americans,” said Human Rights Campaign President,
Joe Solmonese.
"The hundreds of clergy joining us are here
because they understand that we are all God’s children, and our differing
sexual orientations and our differing gender identities are not shameful sins,
but rather amazing gifts from God," Solmonese said.
"These two pieces of legislation do not
create special rights. They do not endorse any lifestyle and they do not
interfere with legitimate religious beliefs about moral behavior,"
said the Rev. Charles Bouchard, president, Aquinas Institute of Theology
in St. Louis, Missouri.
"They simply offer appropriate legal
protection for persons who are victims of violence because of who they are and
ensure that workers are judged on the basis of their job performance and not the
basis of prejudice."
The Shepard Act was the subject of a hearing in
the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
Subcommittee witnesses supporting this hate
crimes legislation included Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff; George
Washington University Law School Dean Frederick Lawrence; hate crime victim
David Ritcheson of Harris County, Texas; and Jack McDevitt, associate dean at
Northeastern University.
"Hate crimes attack more
than just the individual victim: they are an assault against
an entire group of Americans," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler
Nadler (D) the committee chair.
"No American should have to live in fear
because they are threatened with violence simply because of who they are.
As today's hearing will affirm, there is no place for violent bigotry and
vicious acts of hatred in our America."
The appearance of the religious leaders from all
50 states is part of a growing movement to speak out by people of faith who
support LGBT issues. On Monday 365Gay.com reported on a billboard campaign in
Indianapolis that features Biblical quotes supporting gays. (story)
©365Gay.com 2007
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