Rep. James Sensenbrenner voted against a bill to add federal crimes for assaults and murders on the basis of sexual orientation. Why? He claimed it was a matter of supporting free speech, that criminalizing acts based on the ideas behind them violated the First Amendment. James Sensenbrenner is also the sponsor of H.R. 1772, a [...]
The following marks the measurable activity of the LGBT Equality Caucus in the House of Representatives from October 19 (the date of our last update on the caucus) to December 23, 2009: On October 28, President Barack Obama signed into law a Defense authorization bill containing legislation defining violence against people on the basis of [...]
There are some in Congress, like Representative Barney Frank, who want to keep the movement for equality hidden in the Congressional closet, taking place in whispered tones with paid lobbyists behind closed doors. The extreme antipathy of some members of Congress, such as Louie Gohmert, demonstrates that a soft, meek, deferential approach has not been enough.
Legislative News