The GOP-controlled House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill S.47, which re-authorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), by a vote of 286 to 138. This bi-partisan version of the measure includes protections for LGBT people, as well as undocumented immigrants and Native Americans.
Those provisions had been stripped from an earlier House version of the bill.
“In a landmark shift in national politics, the House today, for the first time in history, passed sexual orientation and gender identity non-discrimination protections,” said Terra Slavinof the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. “In each and every state in the country, sexual orientation and gender identity will now no longer be a legitimate basis for denial of VAWA victim services.”
Sharon Stapel, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, added that the legislation, “says to all survivors of violence: you matter and there is support for you.”
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President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.
1EqualityUSA
Scalia will say that they really didn’t mean to vote for this…as if he has xray eyes into the motives of politicians’ hearts.
Katbox
Gotta love those republicans. wait. no you dont.
BJ McFrisky
Congratulations—we’re now in the same category as battered women*. With progress like this, we’ll soon have the same respect as the homeless and the integrity of food-stamp mommies.
*In full disclosure, I must admit I prefer marinated women to battered women.
jwrappaport
@1EqualityUSA: Nope, he’s not a fan of looking into legislative history to interpret statutes.
@BJ McFrisky: I think this is progress insofar as it represents a willingness to address the unique problems faced by LGBT people. Small steps, but better than nothing. Also, your joke at the end will likely bring down upon you the wrath of the lesbians and feminists. You should have instead posted that YouTube montage of James Bond slapping women.
1EqualityUSA
BJ McFrisky, I’ve never been battered, but it never even occurred to me that being included in laws to protect LGBT is considered a negative. My self-esteem may have something to do with it. Any inclusive laws to protect our community and be seen as worthy of protection is o.k. so quit your aimless banter and just appreciate the work others are doing on our behalf.