Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., is trying to give special rights to homosexuals by sneaking hate-crimes legislation into a major Defense Authorization bill. The tactic has been tried before; last time, the hate-crimes amendment was dropped from the Defense bill.
"They want to sneak it under the radar and force the president's hand," said Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues at Concerned Women for America.
The hate-crimes legislation would create a category of crime for actions said to be motivated by prejudice based on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity."
Peter Sprigg, vice president for policy at the Family Research Council, said it's a freedom of speech issue.
“It sends a very serious message, disturbing message, that opposition to homosexuality constitutes hate," he said.