Hate Crimes Bill including sexual orienatation and gender identity approved by Senate

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/22/hate.crimes/index.html

The expanded federal hate crimes law now goes to President Obama's desk. Obama has pledged to sign the measure, which was added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill.
The bill is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten in October 1998, and James Byrd Jr., an African-American man dragged to death in Texas the same year.

This is good news to finally see the hate crimes including sexual orientation and gender identity finally become law.  Now if the Employment Non-Decrimination Act (ENDA) can pass then we will be on to something serious for sure.