PUSH FOR UPDATE OF PA’S HATE CRIME LAWS

The Pennsylvania House LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is pushing for an update to the state’s hate crime laws in response to the murder of a transgender teen in Mercer County.  The caucus is urging the state Senate to pass a measure previously approved in the House that adds gender expression and sexual orientation to the list of traits protected under the commonwealth’s ethnic intimidation statute.  State police say 14-year-old Pauly Likens, a transgender girl, was killed and dismembered by 29-year-old DaShawn Watkins when the two met in person after getting in contact online.  Advocates want hate crime charges filed against Watkins, but the Mercer County District Attorney says they do not apply because Watkins is an openly gay man.