http://lawdork.net/2009/07/13/ag-holder-lgbt-equality-advances-our-best-ideals/ Same dork, new year! Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:38:37 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 http://lawdork.net/2009/07/13/ag-holder-lgbt-equality-advances-our-best-ideals/#comment-1321 Manos Torgo Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:02:52 +0000 http://lawdork.net/?p=2495#comment-1321 I'm not surprised at Holder's stance as he's shown he is very serious about the law and legal principles in general.Which I think can sometimes be a mixed blessing with Obama too. Obama even with his popular election has continued to show restraint to many people's disappointment. Holder exhibits much of the hesitancy for celebration that I myself have had in regards to discussions of race, sexual orientation and other social issues magically being solved with one election. The Shepard Act is something that should certainly be based to augment the current Civil Rights enforcement... But I think its entirely misleading to use the term "prevention" in both the name of the Act and in describing it, as it allows for prosecution and not actual prevention. It it an important first step in reminding all citizens that they enjoy the same protection within the law. I've always had issues with modern hate-crimes discussions in terms of the social divisions created and those same divisions which it does not address through more important action such as education and awareness campaigns.As well as issues of Federal encroachment upon local law enforcement. Skipping such a discussion though, I am cognizant that it is necessary, but the most important thing we can do once its passed is to remain vigilant as the election of Obama has not erased racism, so too will such laws be enough to stem the tide of discrimination or hate towards the LGBT community. The road to meet our ideals is a long and ever present struggle. I’m not surprised at Holder’s stance as he’s shown he is very serious about the law and legal principles in general.Which I think can sometimes be a mixed blessing with Obama too. Obama even with his popular election has continued to show restraint to many people’s disappointment.
Holder exhibits much of the hesitancy for celebration that I myself have had in regards to discussions of race, sexual orientation and other social issues magically being solved with one election. The Shepard Act is something that should certainly be based to augment the current Civil Rights enforcement… But I think its entirely misleading to use the term “prevention” in both the name of the Act and in describing it, as it allows for prosecution and not actual prevention.
It it an important first step in reminding all citizens that they enjoy the same protection within the law.
I’ve always had issues with modern hate-crimes discussions in terms of the social divisions created and those same divisions which it does not address through more important action such as education and awareness campaigns.As well as issues of Federal encroachment upon local law enforcement.
Skipping such a discussion though, I am cognizant that it is necessary, but the most important thing we can do once its passed is to remain vigilant as the election of Obama has not erased racism, so too will such laws be enough to stem the tide of discrimination or hate towards the LGBT community. The road to meet our ideals is a long and ever present struggle.

]]> http://lawdork.net/2009/07/13/ag-holder-lgbt-equality-advances-our-best-ideals/#comment-1319 Chris Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:22:26 +0000 http://lawdork.net/?p=2495#comment-1319 You think the people at the NAACP convention don't know who Matthew Shepard is? He didn't mention the "disability" part of the bill either. What do you read into that? You think the people at the NAACP convention don’t know who Matthew Shepard is? He didn’t mention the “disability” part of the bill either. What do you read into that?

]]> http://lawdork.net/2009/07/13/ag-holder-lgbt-equality-advances-our-best-ideals/#comment-1315 Don Gaudard Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:50:13 +0000 http://lawdork.net/?p=2495#comment-1315 It's fine as far as it goes. BUT notice that he didn't mention the words gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. I wonder how many of the people there even know what the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act is. What is it with these straight people; does even mentioning the word "gay" contaminate you? It’s fine as far as it goes. BUT notice that he didn’t mention the words gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. I wonder how many of the people there even know what the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act is. What is it with these straight people; does even mentioning the word “gay” contaminate you?

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