Danville, CA: On an historic day when the U.S. Senate passed the Matthew Shepard James Byrd Hate Crime Bill on to President Obama for a signature, we met with a woman who sacrificed so much to see these new protections for gay and transgender people finally codified into law.
Blog
October 22, 2009 - 4:23pm
Today is a landmark day for people everywhere who are standing up to hate.
The United States Senate has passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first major piece of legislation providing federal protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. President Obama has pledged to sign the bill into law.
On this historic night, Not In Our Town will meet Judy Shepard, when she visits Danville, CA to read from her new book, The Meaning of Matthew. The event is a benefit for Not In Our Town, sponsored by Rakestraw Books, and we will be bringing our thanks and congratulations to Judy Shepard tonight.
If you would like to send a message of thanks to Judy, please share it in the comments below!
October 20, 2009 - 6:39pm
Brooklyn Park, MN: On September 23, 2009, 18-year-old Derrick Thomas, a young Minnesota man with mild autism, was riding his bike home when three white men pushed him off his bike and then stripped, beat and robbed him while yelling racial slurs. According to Thomas, the men repeatedly used a racial slur and told him they "hated black people and that they would beat up any black people who walk through the nearby park." When police found the three suspects, they were in the process of assaulting a second black man, 40-year-old Johnney Robinson.
October 20, 2009 - 5:16pm
In Cleveland, Ohio, Not In Our Town partner Facing History is unveiling an exciting new exhibit: Choosing To Participate, “a multifaceted educational and civic initiative that challenges us to think deeply about what democracy means and what it asks of each of us.” Consisting of a travelling multimedia exhibit, public events, and a website that allows users to participate in the exhibit and access online resources, Choosing To Participate is a truly innovative and essential new initiative.
October 19, 2009 - 3:55pm
After a hate incident, Fairview Park spreads a message of inclusion