Wash. OKs transgender hate-crime protection

[FreeState]

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Attacks against transgender people could be prosecuted as hate crimes under a bill approved Wednesday by Washington's Legislature.

The state's hate-crime law says it's a felony to threaten, damage the property of, or physically injure someone because of ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

At present, the hate-crime definition of sexual orientation covers gay, straight or bisexual people. The bill approved Wednesday adds "gender expression or identity" to that definition, making the law apply to attacks on transgender people.

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The bill passed the House by a vote of 68-30, with six Republicans joining all House Democrats in favor of the bill. The measure was approved by the state Senate last month.

It now heads to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it into law. The change would take effect three months after the end of the 2009 legislative session, which is scheduled to adjourn April 26.

http://www.theolympian.com/northwest/story/813825.html