"The brutal murders last year, of an African-American, James Byrd, in Texas and a gay man, Matthew Shepard, in Wyoming are recent tragic examples but surely they are only the tip of the iceberg. We need strong laws at every level - federal, state and local - to prevent these vicious crimes."

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D) MA

Senator Kennedy made that statement as he introduced the Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the U.S. Senate. The law would permit federal prosecution of violence motivated by prejudice against the victim's sexual orientation, gender, or disability. It's a badly needed law and deserves our support.

While our representatives in Washington push for a national hate crimes law, many activists are working locally to get states to either enact hate crime laws, or add sexual orientation to laws already on the books.

Today, I will take part in a prayer service at Georgia's state capitol to call for our lawmakers to pass a hate crimes bill. As part of the demonstration each person will read a one minute prayer. This is what I will say:

We come to you today, O God, to beg for justice, to plead for mercy and to ask for understanding. Just as you heard Abel's blood crying out from the ground we ask you to open the ears of the legislators in this building. Let them hear the blood of Matthew Sheperd, Billy Jack Gaither and all the other gay, lesbian, bi and trangendered people, killed or attacked in the name of hate, as it cries from the ground for justice.

Have mercy, dear God, on the souls of those lost in a hatred so deep that they feel justified in taking the life of another. Give us a deep understanding for these people, God, that we may know the suffering that led them to be filled with such hatred for themselves and their fellow human beings.

Grant us justice, God. Let us spread mercy and give Georgia's lawmakers a deep understanding of the special hatred reserved for your gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered children. Give them the wisdom to use the power they have been given to end crimes motivated by blind hatred. Open their eyes to the suffering of your gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered children so they will hasten to deliver justice, mercy and understanding by passing a law that quickly and severely punishes anyone who commits a crime motivated by hatred.

We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.