A report revealed by the FBI found that hate crimes commited based on sexual orientation has increased 6 percent in 2007 (16.6% of total hate crimes reported). This only raises the volume on the argument for LGBT protections in hate crimes legislation.
The report also found that, from the time of Matthew Shepard's death because of a hate crime, the FBI has reported "over ten thousand hate crimes based on sexual orientation alone." Even with this startling number, there is still no federal hate crimes legislation. And with that, those reports were given by local and state authorities which are voluntary. So, that number of 10,000 is probably only a fraction of the real number.
While the nation is focused on the economy (which it should be); we have to be aware that, with this election, we have a clear choice of who will better serve as a leader on civil rights, particularly LGBT rights and protections. John McCain has had a clear record of opposing federal hate crimes legislation (voting three times against it). Even when it was passed in the House and Senate, while it wasn't enacted because of President Bush's veto threat, he stood firm against it. In Barack Obama, we have a candidate who will pass federal hate crimes legislation, as well as many other issues that are of importance to the LGBT community.
The reason why I wanted to post this is to remind everyone of the reasons why we are so personally invested in this election. We have been hearing for months now about the debate over marriage equality. While the rulings in California and Connecticut are historic moments for LGBT Americans, we must not forget about the other issues that affect us everyday. High school students who are gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgender are at a much higher risk for bullying and harassment. And this leads into adulthood, with many men and women feeling that, because of the constant attacks, the government is not acting quickly enough to help them. Luckily, I have never been a victim of a hate crime, but I know what it feels like to be harassed because of ignorance and hostility. So, while marriage equality is an important aspect of the fight for equality, I believe that fair minded legislation protecting LGBT Americans from abuse, and prosecuting those who commit hate crimes, is just as crucial to moving forward in this country.