My name is AJ Minton, and I am a junior at Shrewsbury High School and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I am sharing an urgent concern that our community needs to address. With the recent increase in LGBTQ+ hate crimes across the country, it is evident that everyone need to take action to prevent these incidents from happening. Together we can take to make a meaningful impact and promote an environment of acceptance for all.

I need your help in getting a question on the Massachusetts ballot, the question seeks to expand the state's current hate crime laws. If approved, the law would increase penalties for hate crimes, and require law enforcement to undergo training on identifying and responding to hate crimes. Addressing hate crimes requires a coordinated, community-wide response to prevent bias-motivated incidents and promote diversity and understanding.

As a high school student, everyday I see the need for more education in schools on hate crimes to raise awareness and help prevent them from happening; organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center offer opportunities to volunteer and learn about hate crimes and how to combat them. By taking action at both individual and systemic levels, we can work towards reducing the prevalence of hate crimes and creating a safer and more inclusive society.

Your support of the hate crime ballot question is invaluable, because it will help raise awareness about the need for stronger hate crime laws in Massachusetts. By signing this petition, you are sending a message that hate crimes will not be tolerated in Massachusetts and that perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions. This will help to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents of the state.