Will the Orlando Massacre Move the Needle on Hate Crime Legislation?

While politicians might decry efforts to politicize the massacre in Orlando, Florida, government could not fail to take action after such a horrific tragedy. Chris Murphy, Democratic Senator from Connecticut, led Senate Dems in a 15-hour filibuster Wednesday to secure votes on two amendments that would expand background checks and prevent terror suspects from buying firearms.

Local and state governments sprang into action, too. The Jackson City Council in Jackson, Mississippi, expanded citywide non-discrimination protections to include gender identity and sexual orientation. The unanimous vote means that gay, lesbian, queer, non-binary, transgender, and other individuals cannot be subject to discrimination in housing, employment, and public services. The new ordinance also adds gender identity to the hate-crime code in Jackson.