Senate Votes On Matthew Shepard Act Tomorrow

I received this letter in my email from HRC, then I called my Senators. If you live in Texas, the numbers are below to call Senators Cornyn and Hutchinson. If you live somewhere else, go here for the correct numbers for your Senators.

		The Senate is finally going to vote on the Matthew Shepard Act. Zealots are calling on Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Hutchison to sideline the bill. Last chance to call your Senators!

Dear Gerry,

This just in: the Senate will vote on the Matthew Shepard Act TOMORROW.

We've worked for years to get this bill through both houses of Congress, and we're finally incredibly close.

Now that Senate action is imminent, anti-GLBT groups are activating their misinformed grassroots base once again.

Remember, they've convinced thousands that this bill will muzzle preachers and send pastors to jail for reading certain parts of the Bible. If we don't call right now, critical votes COULD BE LOST to these scare tactics.

CALL BOTH YOUR SENATORS RIGHT NOW:

Neither Sen. Cornyn nor Sen. Hutchison has declared their support for the Matthew Shepard Act. You're calling to urge them both to vote YES.

1. For Sen. Cornyn, call (202) 224-2934.
   Then, for Sen. Hutchison, call (202) 224-5922.
2. For each office, tell the staffer who answers:
   
   

• As a constituent, and a supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, I hope the Senator will vote YES on the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 1105).
• I hope the Senator understands that this bill does NOT threaten free speech or weaken the Constitution.
• This bill would only apply to violent attacks based on the victim's gender, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity.
• It would also provide funding to help law enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute violent hate crimes.
• This legislation has been endorsed by over 280 civic, religious, and law enforcement organizations.
• I hope the Senator will do the right thing and vote YES on S. 1105 when it comes to a vote.

3. Click here to tell Human Rights Campaign how your calls went. Please don't skip this step - this information will help us know whose vote we can really count on.

We cannot allow our Senators to be intimidated, misled, or swayed by an extremist minority. Thank you for making your calls, and thank you for being a voice of reason today.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President