Washington governor
Chris Gregoire
signed a bill
on Wednesday to add protections for transgender people to the
state's hate-crimes law.
Currently, it is a
felony in Washington to threaten, damage the property
of, or physically injure someone because of ethnicity,
nationality, religion, gender, disability, or sexual
orientation. The new measure adds "gender expression or
identity" to the definition of sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 5952 passed
the legislature with bipartisan support. It is expected to take
effect three months after this Sunday, the scheduled end of the
legislative session.
At least 12 states and
the District of Columbia have enacted hate-crimes protections
based on a victim's perceived gender identity or
expression.
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