Dec 07, 2007Quickie Link: Gay Hate Crimes Legislation Withdrawal
By vanrozenheim
(USA) - Judy and Dennis Shepard, parents of Matthew Shepard, the young Gay man who was brutally murdered in 1998 because of his sexuality, expressed their 'sadness' that the proposed federal legislation 'The Matthew Shepard Act' had been withdrawn. "We are truly dismayed to find that Congress now will put aside its leadership on passage of federal hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation and gender identity," they said in a statement. "At this time of year that fills us all with hope for humankind, we are sad to find that a Congressional majority of each House who have already adopted the Matthew Shepard Act cannot yet come together. "
