Thank you, Texas Rep. Talmadge Heflin for having the common sense to speak out against the Hate Crimes Bill. Rep. Heflin voiced concern over the Senate amendment that instructs the attorney general and the Texas Education Agency to develop a program about state laws on hate crimes. We will also be putting a vehicle in place, which teaches our students to accept illegal activity.
Sodomy is still illegal in Texas.
Either homosexuality is a dangerous lifestyle which leads to an early death and educators need to be encouraged to inform students of dangerous lifestyle choices, or we need to tell students to accept and be tolerant of any illegal behavior that people decide to practice. We can't have it both ways. Some are saying that Gov. Perry should sign the Hate Crimes Bill because the TEA-designed program will be optional for schools. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. If the offense is a Class A misdemeanor, the minimum term of confinement for the offense is increased to 180 days.