This is a moment of great triumph, as finally gay Americans are protected by inclusion under Federal Hate Crime legislation, added to a defense appropriations bill today!
President Bush had been unwilling to sign such a bill, but President Obama will sign the bill as a first step on his mission to promote gay rights in America.
So now a person can be prosecuted by the federal government for assault on anyone because of sexual orientation or gender identity. This is in memory of Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager beaten to death in 1998.
Some religious groups are concerned that someone could be prosecuted for language condemning homosexuality, but that is totally silly. The only thought that comes to mind, however, is why would a “religious” person promote hate, rather than tolerance, of others? This is the contradiction in so called “religious” people that they are often willing to promote hate and intolerance rather than open up their hearts to the idea that while they may disagree with a lifestyle, they should not be promoting narrowmindedness and hate because of their personal viewpoints. Religion should not preach hate, but love of thy fellow human being, whether or not one agrees with his or her way of life.