URGE your Congressman to pass this Legislation

Dear Educators,

I write to you on this Monday morning to bring you an important message from GLSEN. Please take the time to read this important message and take action. Urge congress to support the Hate Crimes Legislation to help protect LGBT students.

-Justin

URGE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THE Hate Crimes Legislation

Action Needed: Monday through Wednesday!

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913) expands the coverage of existing hate crime laws to include not only victims of crime based on race, color, religion, and national origin, but also bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. H.R. 1913 also provides for federal involvement in prosecuting hate crimes in states where current law or local actions are inadequate.

At GLSEN, we know that students are not immune from these kinds of hateful attacks. A recent study documented that at some point three percent of all students nationwide have experienced physical assault because of their gender, three percent because of their sexual orientation, three percent because of their gender expression, and three percent because of their disability - the four categories that LLEHCPA would add to existing hate crimes law. Research shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students may be at even greater risk. In a 2007 survey of self-identified LGBT students, 9.2% percent reported being physically assaulted during the past academic year because of their gender, 22.1% because of their sexual orientation, 14.2% because of their gender expression, and 4.5% because of their disability.

Hate crimes cut across all of our communities and H.R. 1913 is needed to ensure that all people have the right to be safe and free from physical harm and intimidation.

Call your representative toll-free at 866-346-4611, Monday-Wednesday, April 27-April 29. You will need to tell the operator the name of your Representative. You can click here and enter in your zip code to find the name of your Member. Once you are connected with your Representative’s office, tell the staffer who answers the phone that you live in the Representative’s district and explain that you would like to urge the Representative to support H.R. 1913 to fight hate crimes and provide safety and security for all people.