Members of the LGBT community expressed concerns at the November 20th City Council Hearing on Hate Crimes.  Those providing testimony included Chris Farris, GLOV; Amy Loudermilk, Rainbow Response, Rick Rosendall, GLAA, and Alison Gill, DC Trans Coalition.

Farris began opened his testimony by stating: "I want to begin with a sad statement. I am unfortunately significantly less optimistic today about the city's willingness to tackle the difficult issue of hate crimes than I was a year ago. I do not see what I think is needed ... most importantly, leadership from the top, and a firm commitment to roll up our sleeves and treat the issue as it must be treated: holistically."

Many of those testifying expressed confusion and concern over the long-overdue report on Hate Crimes in the District of Columbia from the Mayor's office, released just before the hearing. Julius Agers, Alison Gill, and others expressed concern that the report listed hate crimes based on sexual orientation, but not gender-identity or expression. Rick Rosendall from GLAA stated: "The evident failure to document hate crimes based on gender identity or expression separately is unacceptable."

Rosendall described this as "a glaring omission that severely undercuts the credibility of the rest of the report."

View Testimony Online

Chris Farris, GLOV click here to view testimony
Amy Loudermilk, Rainbow Response click here to view testimony
Rick Rosendall, GLAA click here to view testimony
Alison Gill, DCTC click here to view testimony
Sampson McCormick click here to view testimony
Julius Agers click here to view testimony