28 October 2009
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act Signed
Legal International
President Barack Obama signed the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, expanding federal hate crime statutes to cover crimes motivated by sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability — the first time these categories received federal hate crime protection in the US. Named for Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr., both murdered in 1998, it represented over a decade of campaigning.
Impact & Significance
Established federal protection against hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ people for the first time in US history, setting a legal standard adopted by other nations.
Reference Record
- Date
- 28 October 2009
- Era
- 2000-2009
- Sources
- 1
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