LGBTQ Allies - Recognition and Thanks

Nat · 06-11-2010, 08:47 AM

Thank you to the Byrd family of Jasper, Texas for advocating that orientation and gender identity be included in the James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Act within the state of Texas. At a recent Equality Texas meeting, I was told that it was only because of the Byrd family's insistence that orientation and gender identity were not excluded. Their advocacy paved the way for the passing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act which became federal law last fall. I am deeply grateful that this family, having endured the pain of losing a son/father in such a terrible way, has provided such staunch support for us all.

Sidenote- James Byrd jr.'s son is also an advocate for abolishing the death penalty for which I am also very grateful.

06-11-2010, 08:47 AM	#3
Nat Senior Member How Do You Identify?: bigender Preferred Pronoun?: whatevs Relationship Status: in a relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tx Posts: 3,535 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,042 Thanked 13,962 Times in 2,589 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Thank you to the Byrd family of Jasper, Texas for advocating that orientation and gender identity be included in the James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Act within the state of Texas. At a recent Equality Texas meeting, I was told that it was only because of the Byrd family's insistence that orientation and gender identity were not excluded. Their advocacy paved the way for the passing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act which became federal law last fall. I am deeply grateful that this family, having endured the pain of losing a son/father in such a terrible way, has provided such staunch support for us all. Sidenote- James Byrd jr.'s son is also an advocate for abolishing the death penalty for which I am also very grateful. __________________ I'm a fountain of blood. In the shape of a girl. - Bjork What is to give light must endure burning. -Viktor Frankl