Philadelphia City Council Passes Hate Crimes Bill

The bill adding sexual orientation, gender identify and disability to the list of hate crimes passed unanimously.

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Philadelphia City Council today unanimously passed a hate crimes bill that adds additional penalties for criminal conduct motivated by hate for someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The bill was introduced after the assault on a gay couple in Center City last month.

Pennsylvania does not include sexual orientation in its hate crimes law.

Council members Blondell Reynolds Brown and Jim Kenney introduced the bill. “Philadelphia is known all over the world as a city that celebrates and values diversity and we will not allow a few thugs to tarnish that reputation,” Reynolds Brown said in a statement. “It is shameful that this legislation is necessary in 2014.”

Read the full text of the bill below.