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Hate Crimes Bill Passes;
Includes Gender Identity
The United States House of Representatives has voted 249 to 175 in favor of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H. R. 1913), moving one step closer to the passage of the first federal law to include gender identity and transgender people in a positive way. This bill would add sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability to the categories included in existing federal hate crimes law and would allow local governments who are unable or unwilling to address hate crimes to receive assistance from the federal government.
"This is a great day for America," commented Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, "as we make a clear statement that all lives are valuable and that no one deserves to be targeted for violence just because they are transgender. It is vital that we make it absolutely clear that violence motivated by bias is not tolerated in our country, because while this is a victory, the true victory will come when everyone is genuinely free from violence and discrimination. That's what we are working for."
Transgender people continue to be disproportionately targeted for bias motivated violence, and thirteen states and Washington, DC have laws which include transgender people in state hate crimes laws.
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In This Issue:
Page 1
Hate Crimes Bill Passes; Includes Gender Identity
Another Day, Another Victory
for Equality and Fairness for All!
Ministry Opportunities
Page 2
News from South Africa
Bishop Yvette Flunder Receives
MCC Clergy Credentials
MCCB's Vision, Mission, and Values
Page 3
Invitation to a Celebration
of Rev. R. David Smith
Abundance Report
Links
Page 4
Region 3 & 5 Conference
This Week at MCCB
Looking Ahead
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Another Day, Another Victory
for Equality and Fairness for All!
Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has signed into law LD 1020, An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom.
In a statement released along with the bill signing, Governor Baldacci declared, "I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage."
We know, as Governor Baldacci indicated, that civil unions are separate and unequal, which is why Equality Maryland is dedicated to achieving marriage equality for LGBT Marylanders and our Families.
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COME WORSHIP WITH US
Sundays at 9:00 & 11:00 AM
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Ministry Opportunities
The Children's Sunday School needs more people to share the teaching responsibilities. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the pastor or Ashley Fox.
Pride Weekend Coordinators. Pride Weekend is coming up June 20-21. MCCB usually participates in the parade on Saturday and has a booth at Druid Hill Park on Sunday. We need to have a coordinator for each event. If you are interested in coordinating either day, please contact the pastor.
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Ministers: Our Members & Friends
Contact: The World
Lead Pastor: Rev. R. David Smith
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