Despite intense opposition from family advocates — including more than 5,000 e-mails from CitizenLink readers — the U.S. House voted 249-175 today to create a new class of crimes based on the traits of the victim, including "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."
Eighteen Republicans voted for the bill, while 17 Democrats voted against it. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced a similar bill in the Senate on Tuesday.
Under the "hate-crimes" legislation, pastors could be prosecuted for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. Similar laws have been used to prosecute religious speech in the U.S. and abroad.
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, hosted a special meeting last night to highlight the dangers and concerns related to the bill.
“Under this legislation, justice will no longer be equal," he said before the meeting. "Instead, justice will depend on the … protected status of the victim, setting up different penalties for the same crime.
"I support continuing the American tradition of equal justice under the law, and I oppose this unconstitutional ‘thought crimes’ bill.”
— Jennifer Mesko
