love conquers hate.

Last Night I had the opportunity to attend Love Conquers Hate at the Human Rights Campaign. It was a landmark day for civil rights and LGBT rights because President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. This has been a long time coming, and it is now over eleven years since Shepard's ordeal and tragic death. Daniel and Judy Shepard spoke about hope and progress in the incredibly moving and emotional ceremony.

What is the Hate Crimes Prevention Act?

The new law gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability (HRC).

I wanted to call attention to this because it is important to write congress and let them know that we want to keep moving forward for equal rights. This victory is great, but hopefully there are many more to come.