by Evelyn Bailey
The month of April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month. For many of us this topic is not easy to consider.
Perhaps more than any other self identifier, our sexuality defines who we are in our own eyes and in the eyes of others. The perceptions, images, and understanding we have about our own sexual identity is integral to who we are.
Our right to be free, to be who we are was finally recognized on April 29, 2009 when the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Matthew Shepherd Local Law Enforcement Hates Crimes Prevention Act.
Accomplishing this first step had happened before. This time however would be different. In July, 2009 the U.S. Senate would also pass the Local Law Enforcement Hates Crimes Prevention Act, and on October 28, 2009 the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law.
