[Nat]

Thank you to the Byrd family of Jasper, Texas for advocating that orientation and gender identity be included in the James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Act within the state of Texas. At a recent Equality Texas meeting, I was told that it was only because of the Byrd family's insistence that orientation and gender identity were not excluded. Their advocacy paved the way for the passing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act which became federal law last fall. I am deeply grateful that this family, having endured the pain of losing a son/father in such a terrible way, has provided such staunch support for us all.

Sidenote- James Byrd jr.'s son is also an advocate for abolishing the death penalty for which I am also very grateful.