| "The U.S. Senate, on a 68-29 vote Thursday, approved language that would add federal penalties for attacks on gays and lesbians. The language, part of a conference committee report on the Pentagon budget, would broaden the current definition of federal hate crimes to include those based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, The Washington Post reported. It also would create a new federal crime to cover attacks against U.S. military personnel because of their service." (Source: upi.com, "Senate passes expansion of hate crimes," October 22, 2009) |
