Recently in Hate Crimes Category

Presidential hopeful John McCain might be seen by many as independent, but he’s actually conservative, the Associated Press (AP) wrote today. The story pointed out that though McCain does not support a federal ban on marriage for gay and lesbian couples, he is by no means an advocate for the gay community in large part because he does support statewide marriage bans. In a CNN interview last month, he said he was “proud to have led an effort in my home state to change our state constitution to protect the sanctity of marriage as between a man and a woman” and that as President, he “will continue to advocate for those fundamental principles.”

The AP story, which was picked up by dozens and dozens of papers across the country, goes out of its way to remind Americans that likely Republican presidential nominee McCain is not an independent at all, but that he falls in line with conservatives. It points out his support of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, his opposition to hate crimes legislation, and his opposition to protecting gay and transgender people from job discrimination.

The article grouped McCain’s anti-gay stances with his anti-abortion, pro-war, and gun control stances. The fact that the AP spent considerable time discussing McCain’s stances on gay issues right alongside other social issues places our community at the forefront of the election. The article’s use of the gay issues as one of four categories of controversial social issues may serve to again position the gay community as a wedge with voters. The media’s regular reporting on the candidates and the gay community may influence voters with opinions on gay issues (for better or for worse).

Paul Karr is the Director of Media Field Strategy 

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