The Alaska Hate Crimes Bill (SB 202) has a second hearing before the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 17. Alaskans Together asks us to contact our state senators in support of SB 202 with gender identity added.
Senator Bettye Davis introduced SB 202 earlier this month, and five people testified in favor of the bill at the first committee hearing. The full text of the bill is HERE.
Please send a message today in support of SB 202. Ask the Judiciary Committee to add gender identity and expression and to pass the amended bill out of committee.
Here are 2 ways to contact the senators in support of the Alaska Hate Crimes Bill. Alaskans Together provided the contact info and a suggested message:
1. Send an email message to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee plus the bill's sponsor, Senator Davis. It is always a good idea to copy your own state senator as well.
Senator Hollis French
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator Dennis Egan
Senator Lesil McGuire
Senator John Coghill
Senator Bettye Davis
2. Another option is a Public Opinion Message or POM, a short and easy-to-send 50 word message that should be addressed specifically to the Senators listed in the previous paragraph. Send the POM from the Alaska State Public Opinion Message System.
Your POM could say something like:
"I strongly support SB 202 with an amendment that adds gender identity and expression to Section 11.76.150(a). Please pass this bill, with a gender identity amendment, out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 17th."
Alaskans Together supports the amendment of SB 202 to add the phrase "gender identity and expression" to Sec. 11.76.150 (a) because:
a) it covers crimes motivated by prejudice, bias, or hatred based on the victim's sexual orientation as well as on other inherent characteristics, but does not yet cover gender identity.
b) people who are perceived as gender variant, whether heterosexual or gay, seem "different" to some people and may evoke a violent emotional response leading to harm.
c) a substantial number of crimes have been documented that are based on the societal perception of someone as "too feminine" or "too masculine," or transgender. These crimes can include bullying in schools as well as assault and battery throughout Alaskan communities.
Alaskans Together supports the Alaska Hate Crimes Bill (SB 202) because:
a) it covers crimes motivated by prejudice, bias, or hatred based on the victim's sexual orientation as well as on other inherent characteristics.
b) we recognize that hate crimes are not limited to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community but occur throughout minority communities and are designed to create fear. This bill emphasizes that Alaska has no tolerance for such acts.
c) the Alaska court system has primary jurisdiction over crimes of assault and battery which may result in prosecution as hate crimes when occurring in Alaska.
d) Alaska prosecutors and law enforcement officials need the support and force of an Alaska statute in order to most effectively investigate, prosecute, and track all potential hate crimes within the state.
If you have questions on SB 202, please contact Alaskans Together.
Good news: Alaska Hate Crimes Bill (SB 202) passed out of the Senate Judiciary committee this afternoon, with the gender amendment added! Senators French, Egan & Wielechowski voted with us, Senators McGuire & Coghill voted against. Thank you for sending messages, POM's and testimony.
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