Connecticut Becomes 8th State To Protect Trans Citizens
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff


(Hartford, Connecticut)  Connecticut Gov. John Rowland has signed legislation making the state the eighth in the nation to include trans people in hate crimes law.

Connecticut's hate crimes statute already covered violence based on actual or perceived race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.  The law provides for increased criminal penalties when a person causes physical injury or property damage because the victim is a member of a class protected by the statute.

"Violence based on these personal characteristics is not only a heinous crime against an individual, but it also creates an environment of fear and intimidation for the entire transgender community," said Jennifer Levi, and attorney with the Boston-based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders who lobbied on behalf of the legislation.

"This law sends an unequivocal message to police, prosecutors, courts and the general public, that targeting individuals for violence solely because they are transgender or disabled is intolerable," Levi said. 


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Cardinal George Gives Cold Shoulder, Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles Welcomes the Rainbow Sash Movement to Communion

CHICAGO, May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rainbow Sash Movement (RSM) is deeply saddened by the response of Francis Cardinal George to the presence of gay and lesbian Catholics at the Cathedral for Pentecost Sunday, May 30, 2004 at 12:30PM. In wearing the Rainbow Sash we call Cardinal George to honor our experience, we continue to call on him to honor his commitment to Rainbow Sash Movement for ongoing public dialogue, and to work with us for justice and understanding.

ADVERTISEMENTCardinal Mahony of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has notified the Rainbow Sash Movement that his Cathedral will welcome Rainbow Sash Members as part of the Catholic Family to his Cathedral, and when RSM members present themselves for Communion they will receive It.

It saddens us to have to say Cardinal George no more understands us, than he does the gay and lesbian Catholic Community, as is exampled by his letter to all his pastors to promote Discrimination of Gay and Lesbian Catholics at the Eucharistic table. To instruct his parish pastors to judge people at the alter rail, and deny them Communion lacks pastoral awareness, as is emphasized by the Church's Teaching on the "Primacy of Conscience." Going to church and receiving Communion is a personal act of faith and we don't think it is good judgment to turn it into a tool of confrontation at the altar rail.