Philadelphia: Rally Scheduled in Support of LGBT Inclusion in Hate-Crime Law

As public outcry continues to grow regarding the gay bashing incident in Center City last week that sent to gay men to the hospital, the subject of Pennsylvania's hate crime law and it's lack of inclusion of LGBT folks is getting a lot of attention.

Not only from pubic citizens but the state's elected officials.

From Philly.com:

"The gay guy in me and the Philly guy in me are pissed," said state Rep. Brian Sims, "but I'm a legislator, and my job is to change policy.

"If we can do anything to draw enough attention to this to give the hate-crime bill some buoyancy, we need to do it."

Sims, a Democrat whose district includes the site of the attack, is organizing a rally Thursday in LOVE Park, at which officials and members of the city's LGBT community will push for change in Pennsylvania's hate-crime law.

He's joined in his efforts by state Sen. Larry Farnese - a Democrat whose district serves parts of North Philly, Center City and South Philly - who will hold a news conference inside the Capitol on Tuesday.

"It upsets me that it takes something like this, a horrific assault, to cast light on the fact that Pennsylvania is woefully behind in protecting its people," Farnese said last night.

"We should not have to hold press conferences on equality in 2014."

The rally will take place in LOVE Park on Thursday, September 25th at 2pm.

In addition to state legislators, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf (currently 24 points ahead of Gov. Corbett in the polls) has announced his support for amending the state's hate crime law.

Via press release:

As governor, I will work to level the playing field by promoting legislation like House Bill 300 that makes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression a protected class and House Bill 745 that amends Title 18 of the Ethnic Intimidation Act to include sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity.

And I will be a vocal advocate for the right of all Pennsylvanians to be treated with dignity and respect. I wish a full and speedy recovery for the two victims, and I hope the people responsible will be brought to justice swiftly."