In the Aftermath of Tragic California Shooting, Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Call for Greater Protections for LGBT Community

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton recently underscored the need for LGBT-inclusive federal hate crime legislation in the wake of the tragic shooting death of openly gay California junior high student Lawrence King (left). On Feb. 12, a classmate shot King in what prosecutors have called a premeditated hate crime based on King’s perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.

“I was deeply saddened by the recent death of 15-year-old Lawrence King who was killed at his school in Oxnard, CA,” Hillary Clinton said in a statement. “No one should face intimidation or violence, particularly at school, because of their sexual orientation or the way they express their gender identity.”

“We must finally enact a federal hate crimes law to ensure that gay, lesbian and transgender Americans are protected against violent, bias-motivated crimes,” Clinton went on to say. “We must send a unified message that hate-based crime will not be tolerated.”

In a statement, Barack Obama also called for hate crime legislation that equally protects LGBT people:

It was heartbreaking to learn about Lawrence King's death, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. King's senseless death is a tragic example of the corrosive effect that bigotry and fear can have in our society. It's also an urgent reminder that we need to do more in our schools to foster tolerance and an acceptance of diversity; that we must enact a federal hate crimes law that protects all LGBT Americans; and that we must recommit ourselves to becoming active and engaged parents, citizens and neighbors, so that bias and bigotry cannot take hold in the first place.  We all have a responsibility to help this nation live up to its founding promise of equality for all.

Although the Los Angeles Times, CNN and The New York Times have covered the many vigils honoring King, the Democratic candidates' discussion of inclusive hate crime legislation has yet to garner national media attention.

We will continue working with the media to call attention to the broader issues of hate crimes and bullying and will continue urging the press to question the candidates on their positions concerning these issues.

Cindi Creager is the Director of National News