First convictions under the the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act; updated policy for gender markers on immigration documents; and other Bent Alaska news of the day.

Hate crime guilty pleas in eastern Kentucky

Two women plead guilty in a case involving the first known application of the Matthew Shephard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The women aided and abetted the kidnapping and assault of a gay man by two men to whom they are related; the men were indicted last week on charges of conspiracy, kidnapping and committing an act of violence based on the victim’s sexual orientation.

• RT @LGBTQNation: Two Kentucky women plead guilty in hate crime against gay man – http://t.co/dGDknvvv  #

Policy update for gender markers on immigration documents

U.S. policy on immigration document gender designations for transgender people has been updated to align with the U.S. State Department’s passport policy, which does not require sex reassignment surgery.

RT @sdgln: Victory for #transgender immigration documents and marriage benefits http://t.co/lKjbYnbR  #

Other news

• RT @gaycivilrights: Why (Some) Straight People Think Gay People Think Straight People Hate Us: http://t.co/ICfpo5AJ #fb #
• RT @Blabbeando: Study challenges political perceptions about Latinos and LGBT issues http://t.co/eepXDq1e  #