Gay protection added to defense bill

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Conservative religious groups want President George W. Bush to veto legislation giving homosexuals additional protection under U.S. hate-crime laws.

The legislation was passed Thursday by the Democrat-led Senate as part of the defense authorization bill, The Washington Times reported Friday.

Conservative religious groups, including the Family Research Council, said the measure could criminalize the preaching of anti-homosexual sermons and give homosexuals extra rights.

Supporters said the measure targets violent acts, not speech, and seeks to fight bigotry and discrimination.

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., the measure's author, likened hate crimes to terrorism and said the defense bill was the right place for amendment, The Times reported.

"The defense authorization is about dealing with the challenges of terrorism overseas," Kennedy said. This bill is "about terrorism in our neighborhood."