Anuncio

Colapsar
No hay anuncio todavía.

Pennsylvania: Brian Sims Slams Pa. Lawmakers' 'BS' on Hate-Crimes Bill

Colapsar
X
 
  • Filtrar
  • Tiempo
  • Mostrar
Limpiar Todo
nuevos mensajes

  • Pennsylvania: Brian Sims Slams Pa. Lawmakers' 'BS' on Hate-Crimes Bill

    'There is no place in Pennsylvania where people are pretending that [LGBT people]
    don't exist more than they are here in the capitol,' says the out lawmaker.


    By "Advocate.com"

    Out Pennsylvania state representative Brian Sims, a Philadelphia Democrat, is
    sick and tired of his state being one of
    just 15 in the country where LGBT
    people aren't covered by hate-crimes law.

    At a press conference with Democratic colleagues Tuesday, Sims appeared
    agitated with the lack of rights — outside of marriage — granted to LGBT
    Pennsylvanians.

    "This state doesn't offer a single statewide LGBT civil right to people like
    me other than marriage, and that's ridiculous," Sims said, gesturing emphatically.

    "And what happens is attacks like this, on people like me, in my neighborhood,"
    Sims continued, referring to the
    September 11 attack on two gay men that left
    one victim with his mouth wired shut. Three suspects — including an
    area police
    chief's daughter
    — have been charged in the attack.

    "Don't let people tell you that we only have six or seven days left in session,"
    Sims added. "That's B.S.!"

    "We're a full-time legislature," Sims continued, pointing and slamming his fist
    on the podium. "We are here until November 30. We've got 60-some-odd days
    left in session, and if we can't pass a law like this, to protect basic citizens in
    their home, then we're not doing our job."

    Repeatedly enumerating the LGBT acronym, Sims acknowledged that he often
    uses the acronym to be "palatable," especially in the halls of the state capitol in
    Harrisburg.

    "I want to say it very loudly," Sims went on, raising his voice. "Lesbian, gay,
    bisexual, and transgender. Because there is no place in Pennsylvania where
    people are pretending that we don't exist more than they are here in the capitol."

    The press conference, held in the capitol rotunda Tuesday afternoon, aimed to
    renew pressure on lawmakers to pass an
    amendment to existing hate-crimes
    law that would add attacks based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and
    disability to the list of those that can be prosecuted as hate crimes. That
    legislation was introduced in
    both chambers of the legislature in January 2013,
    but Republican leadership of the committees where the bill has stalled
    have
    indicated they have no intention of moving it forward
    .

    Incidentally, Sims's passionate speech took place at the same press conference
    where his Democratic colleague in the Senate, Jim Ferlo,
    publicly confirmed
    that he is gay
    , making him the first out member of the State Senate.





Trabajando...
X