----- Original Message -----
From: AFAM@chartermi.net
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 2:47 PM
Subject: UPDATE -- KALAMAZOO GAZETTE -- Rep. Robert Jones seeks broader,tougher hate-crime law
UPDATE: I just spoke to Rep. Tom McMillin, a long-time pro-family activist and AFA-Michigan supporter. Rep. McMillin today submitted an amendment to the so-called "hate crime" bill declaring that the term "sexual orientation" could never be interpreted to provide special "protected class" status to child molesters. Tom's amendment threw into disarray the House Democratic leadership, who a few minutes ago removed the bill from today's House schedule. Salute and thanks to Rep. McMillin. Action on the bill now will not occur until at least next Tuesday. Please contact your state representative between now and them, perhaps at home over the weekend.
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This bill is scheduled for a possible vote this afternoon (Thurs., May 14).
If you haven't already, please contact your state representative
right now and urge a NO vote on House Bill 4836.
Contact info: http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp
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"The (so-called 'hate crime') measure is drawing fire from the American Family Association of Michigan for including gays, lesbians and transgender individuals as a proposed protected class. ...The measure also would impose tougher sentences for people convicted of bias-motivated crime. ...'The notion that some victims are worthy of greater protection than others, especially if it's based on their choice of sexual behavior, is simply outrageous,' said Gary Glenn, AFAM president.
AFAM officials also contend the bill could be used to prosecute as accessories 'pastors and others who speak out against the homosexual agenda... any time a violent crime is committed against an individual who's involved in homosexual behavior or cross-dressing.' ...(The bill's sponsor) said e-mail on the bill is already coming in to legislative offices from supporters and opponents. Most of it is based on the AFAM's objections, he said."
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KALAMAZOO GAZETTE
Kalamazoo, Michigan
May 14, 2009
Rep. Robert Jones seeks broader, tougher hate-crime law
by Kathy Jessup | Kalamazoo Gazette
LANSING -- A Kalamazoo lawmaker is looking to expand Michigan's hate-crime legislation and impose steeper penalties when crimes target a victim's race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or military status.
A bill authored by state Rep. Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo, to give "law enforcement and prosecutors more tools to deal with hate crimes" was reported out of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
A similar bill was approved by the Democrat-controlled House in the last legislative session, but it failed to pass the Senate, which is majority Republican. Jones and then-state Rep. Lorence Wenke, R-Comstock Township, were co-sponsors for that bill.
The measure is drawing fire from the American Family Association of Michigan for including gays, lesbians and transgender individuals as a proposed protected class.
The AFAM has issued an e-mail alert to its members this week opposing the measure, saying it would give unwarranted protected-class status to homosexuals.
House Bill 4836 would make it a hate crime to specifically target victims based on gender or gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, race, color, ethnicity, religion or status as a military veteran.
Michigan's penal code was amended in 1989 to add the current hate-crime category known as "ethnic intimidation."
Under Jones' bill, a defendant could be charged with "bias-motivated" crime if prosecutors believe the victim was targeted based "in whole or in part" on any of the protected classes listed in the bill.
The measure also would impose tougher sentences for people convicted of bias-motivated crime. For example, 50 percent more prison time would be added to the current mandatory sentencing range for felony convictions.
The AFAM -- which is also challenging a movement to pass a gay-rights ordinance in Kalamazoo -- sent an alert to its members Monday, urging them to contact lawmakers to oppose the bill.
The AFAM said the measure would "create special 'protected class' status for individuals who engage in homosexual behavior or cross-dressing."
"The notion that some victims are worthy of greater protection than others, especially if it's based on their choice of sexual behavior, is simply outrageous," said Gary Glenn, AFAM president.
The alert made no mention of other proposed protected classes listed in the bill, however.
AFAM officials also contend the bill could be used to prosecute as accessories "pastors and others who speak out against the homosexual agenda ... any time a violent crime is committed against an individual who's involved in homosexual behavior or cross-dressing."
Jones called that charge untrue.
"What family doesn't have someone with a disability or an ancestry of different national origins, ethnicity, race or religions, members with different veteran's status or sexual orientation?" Jones said. "All hate crime is wrong, and if we cannot say that or we want to exclude someone, I'm not for that."
Locally, the Kalamazoo Alliance for Equality says studies show that 40 percent of transgender people report experiencing physical abuse or violence, 80 percent say they have been verbally abused or harassed, and nearly half claim they regularly feel unsafe.
Jones said e-mail on the bill is already coming in to legislative offices from supporters and opponents. Most of it is based on the AFAM's objections, he said.
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