Compiled by GayToday
Courtesy of NGLTF
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Washington, D.C.--With a majority of the nation's 50 legislatures either adjourned
or racing toward their final deadlines, the focus of activity on behalf of the
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community has shifted to the south
and the west, according to the latest National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Legislative Update. |
 Gov. Rick Perry of Texas: Considering state's Hate Crimes measure |
So far this year, NGLTF has tracked more than 500 GLBT-related and HIV/AIDS
measures, the majority of which continue to be favorable. Considering only
GLBT-related legislation, NGLTF has tracked 370 bills, of which 234 are
favorable and 136 are unfavorable.
Highlights include progress in several states to adopt hate crimes legislation
that includes sexual orientation; possible repeal of an antiquated sodomy law
in Arizona; passage of a civil rights measure in Maryland; and action in the
Rhode Island House of Representatives to ensure that the state's civil rights
law applies to the transgender community:
In Texas, the Texas Senate on Monday approved hate crimes
legislation that includes sexual orientation. Although the House already
has approved a separate hate crimes bill, it must now either concur
with the Senate's version, or negotiate the differences between the two bills
in conference committee. Final passage is expected later this month, at
which time a bill would be forwarded to Gov. Rick Perry for his consideration.
In Hawaii, which is one of five states with no hate crimes law whatsoever,
Gov. Benjamin Cayetano is deciding the fate of a hate crimes bill passed by
both the House and the Senate. Gov. Cayetano has until early July to sign the
bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature.
In Arizona, a bill repealing the state's antiquated sodomy law has passed
the House and Senate and is awaiting action on the desk of Gov. Jane Dee Hull.
Hull has reportedly been lobbied intensely by religious right activists to veto
the bill.
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In Rhode Island, the House of Representatives in early May voted 46-41
to expand the state's civil rights laws to prohibit schools, banks, employers
and other non-religious institutions from discriminating on the basis of gender
identity and expression. The measure now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
If the bill becomes law, Rhode Island would join Connecticut and Minnesota in
banning discrimination against transgender people.
In Massachusetts, a hearing has been scheduled for May 17 on an anti-GLBT
measure known as "Super DOMA." The measure would prohibit same-sex marriage or
legal recognition of same-sex relationships, even through civil unions or
domestic partnerships. Similar legislation is pending in Ohio.
In Maryland, Gov. Parris Glendening is expected to sign a civil rights
measure in mid-May. The bill will make Maryland the 12th state to ban
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Other civil rights bills
that have a chance to move through the legislative
process this year are pending in Illinois and New York.
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Related Sites:
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force: Legislative Update
NGLTF's state issue maps:
Gov. Rick Perry
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NGLTF Political Director Tim McFeeley noted that because 2001 is an
odd-numbered year, all 50 state legislatures were in session this year.
Legislatures in 18 states already have adjourned, with a majority of the
remaining legislatures scheduled to adjourn by the end of June.
"The first five months of 2001 have been one of the busiest periods in the
history of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement in terms
of state legislative activity," McFeeley said.
"The most significant development during this period is that we have
made progress in states where the political landscape for GLBT people historically
has not been favorable. This shows the increased sophistication and lobbying power of our state and
local GLBT groups, as well as a continued shift in our favor in public opinion
on GLBT-related issues."
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