Hate Crime Protection for Gays Is Rejected
From Times Wire Reports
The state House of Representatives killed a bill that would have extended a hate crimes law to protect gays.
The bill would have made it a crime to target people based on such factors as age, economic condition, disability, gender or sexual orientation. It was rejected, 54 to 46.
Republicans, who accounted for all but five of the opponents, argued that the bill would stifle speech and could prevent clergy from speaking out against homosexuality in their sermons.
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