The Council for Global Equality welcomes the important legislative victory this week that expands our country’s federal hate crime statute to allow Justice Department support in prosecuting crimes directed at individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability. The bill – long associated with the brutal killing eleven years ago this month of Matthew Shepard – is a milestone on our march toward full equality and a fitting memorial to Matthew and to the many other Americans who have been killed simply for being themselves.  It also sends a message on the global stage.  Earlier this month, at a human rights conference in Poland, the United States spoke of the need to address violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Eastern Europe and beyond.  This new law will provide a powerful example of our country’s own commitment to fighting hate crimes, and it lends additional credibility when the United States speaks out against violence directed at LGBT communities beyond our borders.  The Council for Global Equality looks forward to working with the State Department to give international voice to our new domestic resolve.