Hate Crime Bill Passed, at last!

President Obama signed his first civil rights legislation on October, 28, 2009, making the assault of people based on sexual orientation, gender and gender identity a federal hate crime. The new measure expands the the scope of a 1968 law that applies to people attacked because of their race, religion or national origin. The U.S. Justice Department will have expanded authority to prosecute such crimes when local authorities don't.

The provision, called the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is attached to a defense authorization bill. It is named after Matthew Shepard, a gay college student tortured and killed in 1998, and James Byrd Jr., a black man who was chained to a pickup truck and dragged to his death the same year.

In a statement, Judy Shepard praised the President and the Senate for finally passing the bill, she said: "We are incredibly grateful to Congress and the president for taking this step forward on behalf of hate crime victims and their families, especially given the continuing attacks on people simply for living their lives openly and honestly. But each of us can and must do much more to ensure true equality for all Americans."

Watch Video of President Obama deliver his remarks after signing Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.