Only a few groups would have the balls to oppose legislation intended to protect victims from hate crimes. Some of those are conservative Christian groups who (once again) see themselves as the victims.
Check out this PDF from the Illinois Family Institute (when they go after my Republican Congressperson Judy Biggert, you know it’s a big deal to them).
My favorite excerpt:
The bill is not about stopping crime, but about giving sexual preference the same legal status as race. This legislation is just a stepping stone to regulate the speech of people who support family values, as in the case of the Philadelphia 11, a group of people holding signs about freedom from homosexuality at a gay pride event in Philadelphia who were arrested and charged with hate crimes, even though no crime was committed.
…
Miss California, Carrie Prejean, could have been charged with a “hate crime” for her views on same-sex marriage if H.R. 1913 was already law. What could constitute a “hate crime” under this bill is a “gay” man or woman claiming they were discriminated against and hurt by what was said.
First of all, you can read about the “Philadephia 11” here. They’re not as innocent as IFI claims.
Secondly, Miss California would be completely fine to speak her mind.
IFI must have a short attention span since they obviously didn’t read the very last part of the legislation:
Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.
The groups that oppose this legislation must be hitting rock bottom as organizations or are desperate for donations from their base.
Christian “Prophet”: The Military Will Soon ..."
The Christian God Has a Lot of ..."
The Christian God Has a Lot of ..."
Christian “Prophet”: The Military Will Soon ..."