Congressman Brady introduces legislation to expand Federal hate crime laws for the LGBT community

Philadelphia --- Spurred by a recent attack in Philadelphia where two men were assaulted and called homophobic slurs for their perceived sexual orientation, Congressman Bob Brady (D., PA) today has introduced legislation that would expand the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The Brady legislation is designed to provide greater protections in all circumstances, not just those that involve interstate or foreign commerce.

"Because Pennsylvania’s hate-crime law does not protect those attacked due to their sexual orientation, the assailants could not be charged with a hate crime. This is a travesty," Brady said. "Since Pennsylvania is one of the 14 states that has no law against hate crimes committed based on sexual orientation, this bill would fill an important gap and protect all Americans from these vicious crimes."

Passed in 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act expanded U.S. federal hate-crime protections to victims targeted because of their actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. However, as other bias-based violence has decreased in frequency, crimes against the LGBT community have increased. In 2012 alone, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reported 2,016 incidents of violence and 25 homicides committed because of individuals’ LGBT status. These numbers are likely underestimated because most of these crimes are either unreported or unrecognized.

In 2014, only 15 states and the District of Columbia have laws that address hate or bias crimes based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. "Federal law must send a stronger message to the states. The time is now to expand Federal hate crime protections for all LGBT Americans" Brady said.