Hate crimes bill covering gays would get Senate vote Thur.
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote as early as July 16 on hate crimes legislation that not only would expand protections for homosexuals and transgendered people but could threaten religious freedom.
The measure was introduced July 15 as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, S. 1390, and the Southern Baptist Convention's public policy entity quickly issued an e-mail alert urging opposition to the proposal.