The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S 909 which became S 1390) passed the Senate on July 23, 2009. Gender, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity would become protected categories under federal hate crimes law once the bill is signed into law. The bill allows federal support to be provided to state and local authorities investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.
Senator Barbara Boxer was a co-sponsor of the bill originally introduced by Ted Kennedy (MA). Senator Boxer commented, "Tonight's vote to combat hate crimes is a great step forward in our journey to form a more perfect union. Violent acts based on gender, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity are hate crimes propelled by bias and bigotry, and they can never be tolerated in a fair and just society. This legislation will help law enforcement investigate and prosecute hate crimes across the country. More than 10 years after the senseless and brutal death of Matthew Shepard, this vote bring us closer to the day when we will truly be able to say there is equal justice for all."
The law was tacked onto the 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill (S 1390), which increases the chances of the act passing the House and becoming law. The law was supported by the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which was founded by the parents of Matthew Shepard, Dennis and Judy Shepard, after their son was murdered in a vicious anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in 1998. The foundation works to teach understanding and tolerance while working for equality in society.
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