WASHINGTON -- So-called "hate crimes" are rare in the Valley, but they will be punished more severely under legislation passed Thursday by the House of Representatives.
The provision expands an existing federal hate-crime law, which covers race, religion and ethnicity. Now, hurting any member of these specially protected populations could lead to a 10-year federal prison sentence on top of other sentences.
"This law says it's no longer appropriate to treat gays as social pariahs," said Jay Hubbell, founder and treasurer of Fresno Stonewall Democrats. "I think it's important, because it will create momentum for full equality; it's saying gay people are entitled to the same civil rights as others."
Supporters and opponents, though, clash sharply over the prevalence of hate crimes as well as the wisdom of enhancing penalties to protect some populations more than others. On the one hand, the FBI counted a total of 7,624 hate crime incidents in 2007, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
But within individual cities, particularly those in the Valley, the number of reported incidents is low.
Fresno, for instance, reported a total of nine hate crimes in 2007, one of which targeted sexual orientation. Modesto reported 10 hate crimes that same year, four of them targeting sexual orientation, and Merced reported no hate crimes at all.
The FBI already has been collecting information on hate crimes targeting sexual orientation, although until now it hasn't been covered by the federal hate-crimes statute. Hate-crimes legislation advocates believe the number of crimes, particularly targeting gays, is probably underreported.
In 2006, for instance, Fresno reported three hate crimes targeting sexual orientation; neither Modesto nor Merced reported any.
Throughout California, a total of 263 sexual orientation hate crimes were reported in 2007, with about one-sixth of them occurring in Los Angeles.
In April, Democratic Reps. Jim Costa of Fresno, Dennis Cardoza of Merced and Jerry McNerney of Pleasanton voted for a standalone version of the hate-crimes legislation, while Republican Reps. Devin Nunes of Visalia and George Radanovich of Mariposa opposed it.
The local lawmakers were the targets of local lobbying, with the Fresno Stonewall Democrats successfully urging Costa to support the hate-crimes bill.
"Years ago, I was beaten up here in Fresno and left in a Dumpster," Hubbell said, "so it's kind of personal."
The defense bill now goes to the Senate for final passage, and then to the White House.
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