THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 27, 1996 TAG: 9602270315
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Gay and lesbian activists said Monday that recent attacks on Richmond area houses of worship point out a void in the state's hate crimes statute.
Last weekend, two synagogues in Richmond and a church that draws many gays and lesbians were vandalized. Windows at the synagogues were broken. One church window was smashed. Recently, windows at another synagogue were broken by a cinder block.
Attorney General James S. Gilmore III asked the Virginia State Police to help local authorities investigate the attacks,at the request of Henrico County Del. Eric Cantor.
If the vandals are convicted under the state's hate crimes statute, they could receive enhanced penalties, Gilmore said.
But the attack on the Metropolitan Community Church, a Christian church that has a predominantly gay congregation, might not qualify as a hate crime under the murky statute.
Gay rights advocates said the law - which excludes sexual orientation and gender from the statute - is unclear in instances where gay churches are attacked.
``I hope that events such as the ones that occur this weekend helped members of the General Assembly understand the connections between hate crimes and racism, religious bias and prejudice,'' said Shirley Lesser, manager of Virginians for Justice, a gay and lesbian advocacy group.
Gilmore said he didn't know if the vandalism could be prosecuted as a hate crime, but that vandalism laws could be enforced.
Cantor, a Republican, was among the legislators who earlier this session voted to carry over until next year a bill that would have expanded the hate crimes statute to include attacks motivated by bias against sexual orientation or gender.
Cantor said if prosecutors could prove the attack on the church was marked by religious bias, then the vandalism could be considered a hate crime. Gilmore, Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr. and Jewish officials appeared at a news conference at the Jewish Community Center to express outrage about the recent attacks.
Sam Kaplan, a representative from the Anti-Defamation League, said anti-Semitic crimes reported in Virginia rose 45 percent in 1995 over the previous year. About 80 percent of those who perpetrate hate crimes are under 20, he said.
The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Anti-Defamation League each has offered $1,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandals. by CNB