Hate Crimes Law: Wake-Up Call for Pastors?     9/28/2004
By Robert Knight and Elaine McGinnis

California measure signed into law could suppress discussion of homosexuality.

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Concerned Women for America’s (CWA’s) California leaders hope the hate crimes law signed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) will wake up the state's pastors. CWA and other pro-family organizations had opposed the bill because it includes "sexual orientation" and lays the groundwork for suppression of speech critical of homosexuality.

"We had hoped that Gov. Schwarzenegger would veto this bill that could silence the voices of those with politically incorrect convictions," said Penny Harrington, legislative liaison for CWA of California. "Regrettably, the governor has now revealed his socially liberal side, as this is the second bill catering to the homosexual agenda that he has signed. While this is not the outcome we would have desired, we have confidence that the attention drawn to this issue will serve to embolden our pastors and awaken our people to rise up and say, 'No more!' Californians, it's time to speak!"

The bill, SB 1234, also:

• Defines “sex” and “gender” as a “person’s gender identity and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned birth sex.” Sex is no longer determined biologically, but is what a person feels that he or she is; blurs the lines of male and female.
• Separates homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals into separate classes with increased penalties for crimes committed against them. Fines can be assessed anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000, or individuals could serve a minimum of one year in jail if convicted of a “hate crime.”
• Includes “threats, intimidation and coercion” as “hate crimes.” This definition is based on the perception of the victim and allows for the possibility of Christians being convicted of “hate crimes” for expressing their beliefs.
• Requires any employer who hires five or more employees to enforce “hate crime” law. Nonprofit or religious associations are exempt from SB 1234, but Christian bookstores or Christian schools can be prosecuted under “hate crime” laws. If an employee expresses disapproval toward homosexuality, he or she is vulnerable to SB 1234.

Take Action

Courtesy of our California state chapter, these are a few more bills that CWA opposes. They are on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s desk awaiting approval or disapproval. Please contact Gov. Schwarzenegger to urge him to veto these remaining bills.

AB 358 (Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara) requires our state to adopt the principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The CEDAW treaty is a global equal-rights amendment that includes universal abortion on demand, frowns upon men as heads of households, advocates for legalization of prostitution and supports children’s autonomy from parental decision- making, among other dangerous social experiments. The states have never ratified the treaty, yet Ms. Jackson wishes California to implement its principles here.

SB 1343 (Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk) establishes a task force, headed by the state superintendent of public instruction, to develop a state “master plan” for infant and toddler care, birth through age 3. This unnecessary plan for a state-run child-care system will coordinate with a “Preschool for All” task force and work toward implementing other health and developmental screenings for children. In a big victory for pro-family groups, an actual “Preschool for All” program and other components of a “Master Plan for Education” died in committee, and the only surviving language merely establishes committees and task forces to study such proposals (which are still a waste of resources, since Sacramento has too many committees to count). Still, SB 1343 is another step toward cradle-to-grave government intervention (or intrusion) and deserves the governor’s veto.

SB 1418 (John Vasconcellos, D-San Jose) outlines the “purpose” of California’s educational system from preschool to postsecondary education. (Note the persistence in establishing universal preschool programs.) The bill repeals the current simple yet comprehensive statement of purpose and replaces it with a lengthy list of feel-good self-realization gibberish, including the “six R’s” our children should demonstrate as “outputs” of this system. They are, “Reading, ’Riting, ’Rithmetic, self-Respect, personal Responsibility, and human Relations.” Oh, goodness! With a remediation rate in the California State University system hovering at nearly 60 percent for English, math or both, a disciplined focus on academics is the key. Ask the governor to veto SB 1418.

Contact Information for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R)

If you have the ability to fax your views, this is the preferable method. Fax: 916-445-4633.

Or phone:

Sacramento office: 916-445-2841 (Dial “0” when you hear the message begin and you will be connected to staff.)
Los Angeles office: 213-897-0322
San Francisco office: 415-703-2218
San Diego office: 619-525-4641
Fresno office: 559-445-5295
Riverside office: 909-680-6860

Or e-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov or click here.

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