According
to the Associated Press, Bishop Carlton Pearson of
Tulsa, Okla., led hundreds of clergy members from
all 50 states in a rally urging Congress to pass the
Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of
2007, which would extend federal authority for investigation
and prosecution of hate violence to those crimes based
on the victim's actual or perceived sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.
The bill was reintroduced in the Senate last week by
Democrat Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Republican
Gordon Smith of Oregon. Current federal hate-crimes
law cover crimes motivated by race, religion, and
national origin.
At the gathering, held Tuesday across from the
U.S. Capitol, Pearson called passage of the
measure one of the most important civil rights
issues of the century.
"The issue of not special, but equal, rights for
God's same-gender-loving children is a moral
imperative in every community in America," said
Pearson. His comments were met with applause and
shouts of "Amen." (The Advocate)
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