The Ministry of Magic had to enforce Muggle Protection Acts to prevent the killing and torturing of Muggles by wizards, but at the same time, they would pass laws that made it harder for Lupin, a werewolf, to find job.

Once again, the similarities between the Harry Potter world and ‘the real’ world become more apparent. Muggle governments enforce laws preventing discrimination, and yet we still need laws that better protect the LGBT community, different ethnicities and people with disabilities from hate crimes. It took 10 years, but we are now closer than ever to having an anti-hate crimes bill passed by congress and signed by our President.
The US House passed the Matthew Shepard Act – A bill that would not only protect gays and lesbians but also transgender people who are a part of the community that is left out more often than not. Now, the Matthew Shepard act is on its way to the Senate, and it will be their turn to vote on whether or not this should go to the President.

You may say, “Well, this act is a good thing! That should be no problem.” In reality, it has taken 10 long years for this Act to get this far. Many times, there would be deal offers, like it would have a better chance of passing if they took out the ‘transgender’ part of it. Thankfully, the people that have been fighting from the beginning refused to not have an all-inclusive bill. And they are right.

If you, like many others, believe that it is time for a federal law to protect those that haven’t been protected in the past, please visit the HRC Action Center to contact your senators and urge them to pass the Matthew Shepard Act. President Obama has already pledged to sign it; all we need is the Senate to see the light and realize that this Act is long due on the President’s desk.

Please take some time and watch this video, it will not take more than two minutes, but it has a very powerful message from Matthew Shepard’s mother.

“Prove that love conquers hate”
Judy Shepard

It was two years and six days ago that Harry Potter and the Dark Lord WaldeMart was released by my former comedy group.

Then about eight months later came Lord WaldeMart II. This video was at a faster pace than the first, with more jokes, more talking points, and more characters. The WaldeMart videos have received well over 2 million views, they’ve been featured on the front cover of the Chicago Tribune Business Section, and they’ve helped make more people aware of many of Wal-Mart’s unethical business practices.

Now tomorrow, Halloween 2008 comes Lord WaldeMart III. In this one, we are tackling Wal-Mart’s PR campaign that they have a new and improved health care plan. In reality what they have is a very expensive public relations campaign that could actually go to improving the health care of their employees. In writing WaldeMart III my colleague Seth Reibstein and I decided it was time to try something different. We made the second one at a faster pace. How could we differentiate this one from the first two? Well, we came up with an idea that made most people think we were crazy. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it.

Remember, November was supposed to be the month that Half-Blood Prince was coming out. And even though it’s sad that isn’t, we still have the summer to look forward to and in the mean time, I’m happy to be showing you a new WaldeMart video.

For the record, the WaldeMart videos are not an official HP Alliance project. They are, however, produced, written, and starring me and Seth Reibstein who cofounded the HPA and is an HPA Board member. I hope you’ll like it. Keep your eyes peeled for it tomorrow!