Clergy gather in DC to lobby for gay rights
By BRIAN WESTLEY | Associated Press Writer
7:52 PM CDT, May 4, 2009
WASHINGTON - Months after giving an invocation at a kickoff event for President Barack Obama's inauguration, the U.S. Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop returned to Washington on Monday to persuade Congress to pass an expanded hate crimes bill.
V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire is among more than 300 clergy members from different faiths who planned to spend Tuesday lobbying on Capitol Hill for support of a bill that broadens the definition of hate crimes to include those motivated by a person's sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. The House passed the legislation 249-175 last week over conservatives' objections.
A weaker bill died two years ago under a veto threat from President George W. Bush. In contrast, Obama is urging the Senate to support it, saying it would enhance civil rights protections.
Current law only permits federal prosecutions against crimes based on race, religion, color or national origin -- and only when the victims are engaged in federally protected activity such as voting. The bill aroused the ire of conservative religious groups and pastors. Several Republicans argued those leaders could face criminal charges for speaking out against homosexuality or, at the very least, would be reluctant to state their views.
Clergy members on Tuesday also plan to push for legislation providing protections against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
"They're not here to grind political axes," said Harry Knox of the Human Rights Campaign, which is sponsoring the event. "They're here out of a pastoral concern for real people in their congregations who have to deal with the ramifications of hate violence."
Conservative groups such as the Family Research Council have criticized hate crimes legislation as unnecessary, with president Tony Perkins saying in a statement last month that "All violent crimes are hate crimes, and every victim is equally important."
Several Republicans argued those leaders could face criminal charges for speaking out against homosexuality or, at the very least, would be reluctant to state their views.
The second Clergy Call on Capitol Hill in recent years comes amid significant victories for the gay-rights movement, including the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Iowa and Vermont.
On Tuesday, the District of Columbia City Council is expected to hold a final vote on legislation recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. The vote will place the issue before Congress, which has final say over the city's laws.
Robinson said that despite recent momentum, the struggle continues for gay rights supporters in the religious community because their message is often overshadowed by many on the right.
"Religion in general still presents the greatest obstacles we face in full equality," he said Monday during a speech at the Calvary Baptist Church in downtown D.C. "Ninety-five percent of the oppression that we know in our lives comes from the religious community."
Robinson's 2003 consecration has divided the Episcopal Church in the United States and abroad. Last year, theological conservatives upset by liberal views of U.S. Episcopalians and Canadian Anglicans formed a rival North American province.
Robinson said he continues to deal with threats. On Monday, he spoke of a scare earlier this year in which a man was arrested while driving with a sawed-off shotgun, a map to Robinson's home, and photographs of the bishop and his partner taken from the Internet.
By BRIAN WESTLEY | Associated Press Writer
7:52 PM CDT, May 4, 2009
WASHINGTON - Months after giving an invocation at a kickoff event for President Barack Obama's inauguration, the U.S. Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop returned to Washington on Monday to persuade Congress to pass an expanded hate crimes bill.
V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire is among more than 300 clergy members from different faiths who planned to spend Tuesday lobbying on Capitol Hill for support of a bill that broadens the definition of hate crimes to include those motivated by a person's sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. The House passed the legislation 249-175 last week over conservatives' objections.
A weaker bill died two years ago under a veto threat from President George W. Bush. In contrast, Obama is urging the Senate to support it, saying it would enhance civil rights protections.
Current law only permits federal prosecutions against crimes based on race, religion, color or national origin -- and only when the victims are engaged in federally protected activity such as voting. The bill aroused the ire of conservative religious groups and pastors. Several Republicans argued those leaders could face criminal charges for speaking out against homosexuality or, at the very least, would be reluctant to state their views.
Clergy members on Tuesday also plan to push for legislation providing protections against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
"They're not here to grind political axes," said Harry Knox of the Human Rights Campaign, which is sponsoring the event. "They're here out of a pastoral concern for real people in their congregations who have to deal with the ramifications of hate violence."
Conservative groups such as the Family Research Council have criticized hate crimes legislation as unnecessary, with president Tony Perkins saying in a statement last month that "All violent crimes are hate crimes, and every victim is equally important."
Several Republicans argued those leaders could face criminal charges for speaking out against homosexuality or, at the very least, would be reluctant to state their views.
The second Clergy Call on Capitol Hill in recent years comes amid significant victories for the gay-rights movement, including the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Iowa and Vermont.
On Tuesday, the District of Columbia City Council is expected to hold a final vote on legislation recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. The vote will place the issue before Congress, which has final say over the city's laws.
Robinson said that despite recent momentum, the struggle continues for gay rights supporters in the religious community because their message is often overshadowed by many on the right.
"Religion in general still presents the greatest obstacles we face in full equality," he said Monday during a speech at the Calvary Baptist Church in downtown D.C. "Ninety-five percent of the oppression that we know in our lives comes from the religious community."
Robinson's 2003 consecration has divided the Episcopal Church in the United States and abroad. Last year, theological conservatives upset by liberal views of U.S. Episcopalians and Canadian Anglicans formed a rival North American province.
Robinson said he continues to deal with threats. On Monday, he spoke of a scare earlier this year in which a man was arrested while driving with a sawed-off shotgun, a map to Robinson's home, and photographs of the bishop and his partner taken from the Internet.
