Senate Overwhelmingly Passes the Matthew Shepard Act. Cochran and Lott Vote 'Nay'

This morning the Senate overwhelmingly voted to pass the historic Matthew Shepard Act, expanding federal hate crimes protection to include sexual orientation. The vote was 60 for, 39 against.

I’m sure you recall the young man for whom the act is named. Matthew Shepard was only 21 when two men brutally beat him to death simply because he was gay.

Shamefully, Mississippi's two senators Cochran and Lott were among those voting against the Matthew Shepard Act. Their votes are particularly inexcusable in light of the 2004 beatings of gay men here in Jackson by two Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents. That ugly case received national attention, attracted the Department of Justice and generally reinforced Mississippi's reputation as a state where minority rights are wantonly disregarded by our government. Cochran’s and Lott’s ‘nay’ votes did nothing to improve that reputation.

Fortunately, 60 other senators from across the country—senators of different races, genders and sexual orientations—voted in the affirmative.

Compromises must now be made between the House and Senate versions of the legislation. In the meantime, those opposed to the Matthew Shepard Act will likely step-up their misinformation campaign, particularly the claim that the Matthew Shepard Act restricts freedom of anti-gay expression. In reality, this legislation is not only a victory for protecting lesbians and gays, it's a great victory for the First Amendment because it targets only actions, not speech.

Once the compromise language has been agreed upon? Then we we wait to see if President Bush, as he has vowed to do, vetoes the Matthew Shepard Act.