Statement of Bruce Anderson on the death penalty in hate crimes legislation
Bruce Anderson, Interim Executive Director
The Center’s Board President and Interim Executive Director, Bruce Anderson, made the following statement about the inclusion of the death penalty in hate crimes legislation:
“The Center has been on record as an anti-death penalty organization since 1999, a position prompted by the outcry by some in our community for the death penalty for Matthew Shepard’s murderers. To attach a death penalty provision to a bill carrying Matthew Shepard’s name does his memory no justice. The Center believes that the application of the death penalty is inordinately biased and serves no useful purpose as a deterrent. The use of sexual orientation as a reason to call for the death penalty further exacerbates our historic position as people the judicial system treats unfairly and often without regard for our basic human rights. Putting someone to death for the murder of an LGBT person doesn’t “elevate” the LGBT community to equal status in this country. It demeans us. The answer to homophobic violence is not more violence. It is education.”
Read statements from other organizations:
Read more about the inclusion of the death penalty in hate crimes legislation:
LGBT Hate Crimes Bill Foes Add Death Penalty Measure to Derail Bill, Towelroad, July 21, 2009
Senator Sessions Looking to Add “Poison Pill” Amendments to Hate Crimes Legislation, Pam’s House Blend, July 20, 2009
