One of the more idiotic arguments I’ve heard against extending hate crime legislation to include gender orientation is that religious leaders “might be prosecuted for what they preach.”  There’s an easy way to test if that’ll be true, however … race and religion are already protected by similar laws, right?  Well, has anyone in the KKK or other white supremacist groups been arrested or put in prison simply for what they’ve said or written?  If not, then why would religious leaders get in trouble for preaching heterosexual supremacy?  Even when the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Bill becomes law, I assume that the First Amendment will still protect freedom of expression.  The opponents of equality need to stop their lying.  If you’ve got a real argument, let me hear it.  Otherwise, let’s get together and move this nation forward.

P.S.  I apologize that this space has been silent for so long, with so many important events going on in the world concerning GLBT equality and civil rights.  I don’t want to promise anything, but I’ll try to do better from now on.