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Obama signs bill expanding hate crimes to sexual orientation
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The Christian Science Monitor
10/28/2009
"The gay community applauded President Obama’s signing Wednesday of a hate-crime law that covers crimes against people based on their gender identity and sexual orientation, real or perceived.
"The law, known as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, gives the Justice Department the ability to investigate and prosecute such crimes. It expands on a 1969 federal hate-crimes law that covered crimes motivated by race, color, religion, national origin, and disability.
"'Certainly, this is a really important first step,' says Kevin Cathcart, executive director of Lambda Legal gay rights organization. 'It is something that we have needed and wanted for many years. It's a day that deserves celebration.'"
Read more on csmonitor.com