The Matthew Shepard Act, also called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act, will be voted on in the US Senate very soon.

If passed, the bill would create the first federal protections for LGBT Americans. The bill would add sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability to existing federal hate crimes law.

Today, the Matthew Shepard Act, also called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act, was passed in the Senate judiciary Committee by a vote of XX to XX.

When passed, the bill will provide the first ever Federal protections for LGBT Americans. The bill would add sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability to existing federal hate crimes law.

On April 29th, the Matthew Shepard Act (H.R. 1913), also called the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act, was passed by the House of Representatives (249-175). Thanks to your calls and e-mails, a majority of the Florida Congressional delegation supported the bill.

Now it is the Senate's turn.

Our opponents working to make sure this very good bill does not pass. Don't let them be the only voices heard! Take action today and make sure that the LGBT community is protected and has the resources to seek justice when victimized by hate crimes.

This same bill has been before Congress many times before but this year we have an excellent, real chance of seeing it become law. President Obama has indicated he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk. This vote is the next major hurdle.