High-profile murders targeting victims based on their sexual orientation have prompted the passage of hate crimes legislation, notably the cases of Sean W. Kennedy and Matthew Shepard. Kennedy's murder was mentioned by Senator Gordon Smith in a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate while he advocated such legislation. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law in 2009. It included sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disably status, and military personnel and their family members. This is the first all-inclusive bill ever passed in the United States, taking 45 years to complete.
HIgH-pRofiLe murders tarGEtiNg VIctIms baSed on theIr sExuAl orientatiON hAVe prOmpted the Passage OF haTE CRimes lEgIslaTion, notaBly tHe CaseS Of sean w. kennEDy AND mAttheW sHepard. kennEdy's murdEr waS MenTioned by senator GordOn smITh In a spEeCh oN THe FlOoR OF the U.s. seNate WHilE he adVOCaTeD such lEGisLATion. tHe MAttheW sHEpArd And JAmeS bYrd, jr. hate crImes PrEvEnTion act wAs sIGned Into law iN 2009. it InCludeD sEXuaL oRiEnTaTIon, GENdEr iDeNTitY ANd exPresSIon, disably statuS, And miLiTary PerSonnel anD thEir fAmily members. tHIs iS tHe FirST AlL-incLUsivE bill eVeR pAsSeD in the UnIted stAteS, takIng 45 years To comPLete.