Some good news...

The Senate cleared a historic hate crimes bill for President Obama's signature Thursday, approving new federal penalties for attacks on gays and lesbians.

The legislation, which was attached to the conference report for the bill outlining the Pentagon's budget, marks the culmination of a years-long fight by civil-rights groups to codify the expanded protections. The law broadens the current definition of federal hate crimes—which covers attacks motivated by race, color, religion or national origin—to include those based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It would also create a new federal crime to cover attacks against U.S. military personnel because of their service.

The measure was approved, 68 to 29, with a majority of Republicans voting against it. The House passed the same bill Oct. 8, also with most Republicans opposed.

Let's be clear: being added to a hate-crimes law doesn't "expand protections" for anyone. It's not like this law creates a force field around homos; nor does it make it super-extra-illegal to beat up a gay person. It allows for additional charges to brought—federal charges—when someone is targeted for a crime on the basis of his or her real or perceived sexual orientation. The language in the law reads sexual orientation, not homosexual orientation. Straight people are rarely singled out for attack because of their sexual orientation but that doesn't change the fact that this law also covers heterosexuals who might be, you know, "straight bashed" by one of those marauding gangs of gay teenagers.

Obama has indicated that he will sign this bill into law. That's nice—that's great (honest)—but it's not a laurel that the president can rest on. A hate crimes law does not represent the change and fierce advocacy that we were promised during the campaign. This law, a law that will have very little impact on the day-to-day lives of most gays and lesbians, is a step in the right direction, a positive development, and a good sign. But it already made it out of the House and Senate once before, only to be vetoed by George Bush. A signing ceremony beats a veto, for sure, and we should celebrate this development. We shouldn't, however, be mollified by it.

Pass ENDA. Repeal DOMA. End DADT.