For Immediate Release -- October 15, 1998

Contact: Kris Roehling,
202-986-7186
KrisR@BiNetUSA.org

CLIMATE OF HATE MUST END

BiNet USA adds its voice to the choir of outrage surrounding the recent brutal hate crime perpetrated against Matthew Shephard in Wyoming. People of conscience everywhere share the horror of this savage murder. However, the national advocacy network of and for bisexuals in the US believes this crime should not be viewed in isolation.

"The climate of hate, fear and misunderstanding regarding people who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered contributes to these attacks," said Jon Spinner, National Coordinator for BiNet USA. National leaders of the GLBT community and their supporters have continued to assert that recent full-page national ads are filled with misinformation perpetuate a climate of intolerance. Radically right Christian organizations have added insult to injury through their statements on this issue. By carefully asserting that their condemnation of the violence in no way means that they accept homosexuality, they have nullified their original message and left the citizenry with the tacit acceptance of hatred against members and supporters of the GLBT community.

The passage of federal, state and local hate crimes legislation would send a clear message to such hate mongers that civilized society will not tolerate such biased, targeted violence. BiNet USA joins other organizations across the country calling for our members and supporters to contact their legislative representatives and demand passage of legislation like the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

BiNet USA is a national organization of by and for Bisexual people and their allies. BiNet USA collects and distributes information regarding bisexuality, and works for the equal rights and liberation of bisexual. We are committed to being affirmatively inclusive of a multicultural constituency and political agenda. For more information on BiNet USA and Bisexual issues, visit the BiNet USA web site at www.binetusa.org

# # #

Contact your Senator and oice your opinion on the Hate Crimes Prevention act. A list of Senators and their email addresses is available at http://www.senate.gov/senator/state.html