California senate passes two pro-gay bills

News 2006-08-31 California senate passes two pro-gay bills The California senate has recently passed two pro-gay bills. The Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act would instruct the judi

The California senate has recently passed two pro-gay bills. The Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act would instruct the judicial council to provide instruction to jurors stating that a defendant’s bias against a person's sexual orientation or gender identity should not be considered when deciding a verdict. The bill also states that the Office of Emergency Services must create training manuals for district attorneys to address the use of so-called panic defenses in hate crimes. The panic defense, in which a defendant claims to have panicked when discovering the victim’s sexual orientation or identity, was a major factor in the case of Gwen Araujo—a transgender teen who was brutally murdered in 2002.

Authorized by assemblywoman Sally Lieber and sponsored by Equality California, the bill is due to return to the assembly this week for agreement by members and then be sent to the governor’s office for approval.

"This bill will help ensure that those who commit heinous acts of violence, like those inflicted upon Gwen Araujo, will no longer gainthe sympathy of a jury by appealing to bias and prejudice as a way to avoid punishment for their crimes," said Equality California executive directorGeoff Kors. "In conjunction with California's existing hate-crimes law, this bill makes it clear that violence based on bias andhate will not be tolerated in California."

The other bill, Assembly Bill 2051, calls for a fee on domestic partnerships. The registration fee will provide education andservices to victims ofsame-sexdomestic violence. "AB2051 is the first bill of its kind in California, and I commend my colleagues for taking a stand against domestic violence in all its forms by passing this bill,” said assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn. "Domestic violence is a serious issue for all Californians, and targeting some resources to same-sex couples is not only necessary but just simply good public policy.” (The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (0) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

More Online Only

Commentary Progress in the Midwest
A city native and strong supporter of Kalamazoo's effort to keep an anti-discrimination law reflects on a hard-won campaign.

Commentary What Marriage in Maine Meant for Me

Dana Hernandez is a straight white married mother of two young children. But in campaigning for No on 1 and reporting Election Night outcomes for Advocate.com, defeat hit her like a ton of bricks.

Marriage Equality Terri White Stages Her Leather Encore

Last year, acclaimed stage performer Terri White was homeless and living in a public park. On Sunday, she and her partner held a leather-themed commitment ceremony onstage following her triumphant Broadway turn in Finian’s Rainbow.

Music Ghost Story

Out singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile discusses working with her childhood mentor, coming out publicly, and joining next year's Lilith Fair.

News View From Washington: GOP Upheaval

Now that the only pro-marriage equality candidate in New York's 23rd Congressional district, Republican Dede Scozzafava, has dropped out of the race, Tuesday's election holds any number of political lessons for both the GOP and the LGBT community.

Books Hot Sheet: Ditto Knocking 'Em Dead

This week might not bring anything to the screen other than a Boondock Saints sequel, but there are plenty of reasons to sit at home on the couch or head to your local concert venue.

News Features Sailor Speaks Out
Sailor Joseph Rocha endured years of hazing until he spoke out — then he was discharged for revealing his homosexuality. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is itching to suit back up.

Music Rainbow High

Busy Broadway heartthrob, gay rights activist, and former Advocate coverboy Cheyenne Jackson chats about his Finian’s Rainbow revival, his politically charged cabaret CD, and laying around in his underpants (pic on page five).

Marriage Equality For Maine, The Time is Now
Money is on their side and the polls look optimistic, but volunteers fighting to preserve marriage equality in Maine are prepared for a fight to the finish.

Television Another Tough Broad

After being outed by a Nazi and locking lips with a hook-up three times in one episode, Christine Woods's tough-talking FBI agent Janis Hawk on ABC's FlashForward might just be prime time's best gay offering — who isn't in Glee club, that is.

Books In Sickness and in Health

Mary Cappello’s memoir Called Back takes readers on a white-knuckle journey through the experience of cancer treatment in America — especially disorienting to navigate as a woman and a lesbian.

Books An American Crime

Best-selling novelist Patricia Cornwell made headlines last week when she filed suit against a New York investment firm for losing $40 million of her money. But she'd much rather talk about her new book, hate-crimes legislation, and Angelina Jolie.

Comedy Gilded Lily

After conquering Broadway, movies, and television, out funny lady Lily Tomlin prepares for the final frontier — Las Vegas.

Entertainment News Ricky Martin, No Shirt and a Baby
Ricky Martin knows how to get the camera's attention. Take a look at the many pictures of Ricky uploaded to his Twitter account in the past three months, always shirtless, frequently carrying one (or both) of his babies.

Television Fresh Blood
With True Blood a bona-fide cultural phenomenon, producer Alan Ball offers tantalizing hints about what to expect on season 3.