WASHINGTON — A Republican-controlled House panel beat back measures on Tuesday that would have made LGBT protections part of legislation aiming to extend federal authorization for domestic violence programs.
The House Judiciary Committee voted down several measures that would have made the House version of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization LGBT-inclusive.
One amendment that was offered by Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) — voted down on a 14-18 vote — would have prohibited domestic violence programs receiving funds under VAWA from discriminating against someone based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
“The Violence Against Women Act needs to be an inclusive bill that covers all of today’s families, whether those families are composed of a man and a woman, or two women or two men, and that’s why I’m offering this amendment,” said Polis, who’s gay.
Polis continued, “It doesn’t say anything about a particular lifestyle that members of the committee may not agree personally agree with. It simply says the law needs to be applied equally.”
Prior to the vote on the amendment, anti-gay Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) voiced opposition, saying other characteristics such as race and sex are immutable, but sexual orientation and gender identity are “self-professed” identifications.
“I also make the point that this is supposed to be the Violence Against Women Act,” King said. “Even though that is the case and that needs to be the subject of this discussion; we still are bringing up the subject of sexual orientation and gender identity when people no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity are covered under this bill.”
King called for more data that LGBT non-discrimination protections are needed for domestic violence programs and said other vehicles would be more appropriate for dealing with this bias other than the Violence Against Women Act.
But Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) responded by saying the committee shouldn’t be “in the business of limiting” protections that would be afforded under the legislation.
Another amendment came from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) that would have explicitly included the LGBT community in VAWA’s “STOP Grant Program.” It was voted down along party lines by a 12-15 vote.
“With this addition, STOP grant recipients would be able to offer programs to target members of the LGBT community who are not otherwise being served,” Nadler said. “This would not be a requirement of any STOP grant recipient, but would allow entities to use STOP grants for this purpose if they so choose.”
The “STOP Grant Program” is the largest program funded under the law and provides funding to care providers who collaborate with prosecution and law enforcement officials to address domestic violence.
Yet another amendment from Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) would have explicitly included sexual orientation and gender identity as part of the underserved groups protected under VAWA. Like the others, the measure was voted down on a party-line basis, 13-16.
In his remarks introducing the amendment, Quigley criticized the House version of VAWA reauthorization for not going far enough to protect LGBT victims of domestic violence as well as other groups.
“Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life, whether they are gay, straight, immigrants or tribal members,” Quigley said. “Everyone deserves to be protected. Sadly the bill being considered by the committee today fails to meet the mark.”
Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) voiced opposition in particular to the Quigley amendment, saying “there is little data” to support the need for “special protected status” for LGBT people.
“There’s nothing under current federal law to prevent LGBT victims of domestic violence from receiving federal resources and services,” Smith said.
The House version of VAWA aims to extend programs authorized under the existing law — first enacted in 1994 — to assist victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. But civil rights groups have criticized the House version of the bill for not going far enough and failing to provide explicit protections for minorities, including LGBT people.
Filed under: National Headlines
Florida teen fighting criminal charges related to same-sex relationship
Harvey: Gays deserve to be fired for displaying their lifestyles to everyone
Wash. florist who refused flowers for gay couple’s wedding files suit against state
Anti-gay marriage activist commits suicide on alter at Notre Dame cathedral
Texas judge enforces ‘morality clause’ to split up lesbian couple
Catholic school: Transgender student must wear girl’s graduation gown
ACLU, attorney condemn prosecution of teen who had sex with minor girlfriend
Sex and the teenage girl: The Kaitlyn Hunt tragedy
UPDATED: Police call fatal New York City shooting an anti-gay hate crime
Iowa anti-gay activist explains his opposition to gay marriage: ‘It’s awful’
Details emerge in case against teen accused of lewd behavior with girlfriend
BREAKING: French president signs marriage equality bill into law
Everything is bigger in Texas – even the homophobia
Obama delivers LGBT-inclusive commencement address at all-male college
Pa. school still refuses to announce transgender grad by his chosen name
They’re hoping that The Gays will beat each other to death. What is wrong with these people?
what the hell?
Bad news day all around, I see…
of course business as usual huh :-(
of course. we value violence and guns in this country. instead of waiting for terrible situations of suicide ideation let’s just get right to the point and allow for direct violence against LGBT. fuck fuck fuck
Isn’t violence violence? No matter who, what you are ?? We are all people. people!!!
WTF?!
I’ve had it with these fucking a-holes. We need to run them out or something. I’ve had it with these pricks. If they can’t respect anyone’s rights or happiness or who they are, then they should pack up and gtfo. Seriously people, this is the 21st century. Keep up with the times morons!! -_-
The Republicans are just adding nails to there political demise
How can people think it’s still ok to discriminate. Have we not learned anything about diversity, acceptance, or tolerance. Apparently the Republicans have not! Shame on them! Shame, shame, shame!
We need some good news after the last two days
Why do I get the feeling like the GOP is trying to hold back the inevitable? They will realize decades later that they will be seen as being on the wrong side of history, just like everyone else that blocked human rights before them.
wow unbelievable…….
Republicans have no heart
God Damn what is this hate on the gays week? For fuck’s sake It’s not okay if you get the shit beat of you by your spouse/boyfriend etc but hey It’s all cool if you’re gay? Well only one thing to do now…Canada ._.
That is so sad. Sometimes my heart just breaks when I hear what my country won’t do for people. :(
I honestly think this is more “reverse” sexism than it is homophobia.
I knew you the Repuclicans were elected to protect us from something.
in other words its okay to beat o your child if they’re gay. and if your in an abusive LGBT relationship they think the issue isn’t the abuse but the gender of your partner and therefore you brought it on yourself. sound familyer?
DV is just as real in same sex couples… why don’t people understand that.
Shame3.
Nothing is going to change with the Republicans. They are so caught up in their own selfs that they are blind. The only way that we can hold them accountable is get rid of them completely. They are all “God fearing” when in reality they are the ones going against his teachings. Now what they need is is to be slapped across the head with their fake bibles.
The government really pisses me off !!! Everyone should have equal rights and protection and service no matter what sexual orientation, skin color, religion, male or female or trans gender!
now i wonder how would those republicans feel if their wife/husband beat the shit out of them and they could not do nothing but suffer in silence, some people sickens me, every time i read stuff like this it gets me more angry. just because a certain group of people are of the minority does not mean they don’t deserve rights and protection. they may have their fun now but one day things will change and there will be nothing that they can do about it.
Comes as no surprise. Republicans continue to damage relationships with the LGBT community.
just like the republican trash party. nothing but anti american terrorists
I am that the GOP is playing games with domestic violence. My extended family is riddled with a history of domestic abuse. What do they gain by hurting us like this?