Today the Oregon Senate joined the Oregon House of Representatives in voting unanimously for HJM 22, the Oregon Hate Crimes Bill. Next stop the Governor's desk.
This is the first Bill in the United States that includes both "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to pass unanimously by any State. We should all be proud of the work we have put into this and the job that we have done as grass roots activists.
A HUGE Thank you goes to Basic Rights Oregon for their help, guidance and working the Halls of the Capitol to make this bill successful. Thank you also to Rural Organizing Project for working with activists all over the state to make constituent calls. Kitchen table activism rocks!!!
After the Governor's desk it's off to Congress for HJM 22 to encourage the passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (otherwise known as the Matthew Shepard Act).
