Philadelphia to expand hate crimes to include gay and trans* attacks

Philadelphia to expand hate crimes to include gay and trans* attacks

IN light of recent gay hate attacks that grabbed worldwide headlines, Philadelphia City Council is poised to pass legislation that would classify crimes motivated by a homophobia or transphobia as hate crimes.

Councillor Blondell Reynolds Brown told BuzzFeed that the proposed ordinance — which also includes hate crimes motived by a victim’s disability — to expand the US city’s hate crime ordinance would likely become law by November.

The news comes after a gay couple was violently assaulted by a group in Philadelphia’s Center City neighbourhood in early September.

Three suspects were brought before a court to answer criminal charges regarding the incident, including multiple assault, but were eventually released after posting bail.

The homophobic incident attracted international headlines because one of the suspects, Kathryn Knott, was reported to have been the daughter of Pennsylvania’s Police Chief Karl Knott. Her lawyer confirmed that her father worked in law enforcement, but did not specify where.

Due to Pennsylvania state law, the three suspects did not face what would have been more severe hate crimes charges.

Reynolds Brown told BuzzFeed that the proposed ordinance would ensure that hate crimes based on a victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity will lead to criminal charges in addition to existing ones such as 90 days imprisonment and $2000 fine.

There is also a push to expand hate crime law in Pennsylvania state parliament, but because the current session expires in the coming months, chances appear to be slim.

H/T BuzzFeed

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