September 22, 2004: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed into law the Omnibus Hate Crimes Act of 2004. SB 1234 creates a uniform definition of a hate crime that includes crimes against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, broadens what a hate crime is to include crimes against individuals based on their assosciation with people who are gay or transgender (as well as association based on other protected categories), and provides tools designed to reduce such crimes.

Equality California sponsored the legislation, which was introduced by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica). SB 1234 received bipartisan support in the legislature during the final days of the legislative session. This action comes just a day before the United States House of Representatives takes up the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA, S. 966/H.R. 4204). SB 1234 reflects the recommendations of several high profile commissions and studies of hate crime in California. This bill enjoyed the support a coalition of prominent organizations including the Anti-Defamation League, Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Crime Victims United, and numerous labor and LGBT organizations, including the Log Cabin Republicans of California who actively worked with Equality California (EQCA) to ensure that this legislation became law.

"Hate crimes are acts of violence or terrorism, directed at an individual victim, because of their perceived association with a group or community," said Senator Sheila Kuehl. "While every hate crime represents a personal tragedy for the victim, hate crimes also are an attempt to intimidate a larger group or community of people. Hate crimes tear at the fabric of our society and it is important that we have a strong and effective response to them."

Statement from EQCA: "Equality California greatly appreciates Governor Schwarzenegger's continued support of legislation designed to reduce discrimination and violence against LGBT Californians. We hope his action sends a strong message to any members of Congress who may not be inclined to support the federal Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act," said Geoffrey Kors, Executive Director of Equality California. "President Bush's call for writing discrimination into the United States Constitution has resulted in anti-gay rhetoric that fuels hateful activity, and we hope that this bi-partisan effort on preventing hate crimes will help reverse this trend." Human Rights Campaign statement

Grassroots activists hope that the signing of SB 1234 into law will help to create a climate in which people are not killed for being who they are, such as Delicious, aka Tony Green. Governor Schwarzenegger himself is infamous for his recent and ongoing references to political "girly-men."

Equality California | Anti-Defamation League | Muslim Public Affairs Council | Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund | Crime Victims United | Log Cabin Republicans of California