The same day a Colorado man became the first in the nation to be convicted of the hate-crime murder of a transgender person, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a law paving the way for similar kinds of prosecutions in Washington. Senate Bill 5952 added “transgender” to the definition of sexual orientation in the state’s hate crime law, meaning people who commit violent crimes against someone because of gender identity or expression can be charged with hate crimes and face harsher penalties. Washington on Wednesday became the 12th state to have such a law. …

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