The U.S. House Judiciary Committee voted in April in favor of legislation that would create a new class of crimes based on the victim’s “actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.” Under “hate-crimes” laws like H.R. 1913, ministers could be prosecuted for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. Similar laws have been used to prosecute religious speech in the U.S. at the state level and abroad. “Every human being in the world deserves to be equally protected, no matter who they are,” Representative Louie Gohmert (Texas), said in opposition to the measure. Evangelical Press News Service
