Yesterday, President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepherd and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act into law, adding disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity to the federal list of hate crimes. Predictably, the Human Rights Campaign, a chief backer of the legislation, says “we’ve got more work to do,” referring to the group’s advocacy for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the federal ban on same-gender marriage.

Yes, Joe Solmonese, that’s a brilliant point. You know, I was worried that the nation’s queers were going to sit back and admire the great things we’ve just accomplished when so many people are loosing their jobs in, say, California (see below) because of their gender identity, or when racism and homophobia are seen as legitimate campaign tactics in the town next-door, or when we keep being told that we need to wait for our civil rights. Good to know that we shouldn’t punch out and head over to the bar quite yet.

But, ask the folks over at The Grio, now that the HRC is finally getting around to supporting an inclusive ENDA, does their advocacy go far enough? Even if we become a “protected class,” will that help average, hard-working LGBTQ folks (like those Californian trans folks, below) get and keep jobs without discrimination — whether that’s because of their race, class, sexual orientation, or gender?

Elsewhere…

NYC – Bea Arthur always was a classy gal… (After Ellen)

Michigan – Michigan school district bans LGBT history month displays, then reverses their decision after a tap on the shoulder from the ACLU. (GLSEN)

Michigan – November 3rd may not see any presidents, senators, or representatives elected, but it’s shaping up to be a landmark day in LGBT rights. Kalamazoo will be joining Washington State and Maine in putting our rights to a popular vote. (WOOD-TV)

California – A new report by the San Francisco-based Transgender Law Center finds that, despite it being illegal in CA to fire someone based on their gender identity, it keeps on happening. (Bay Area Reporter)

67 percent of the people who responded to a 2008 survey said they had experienced workplace harassment or discrimination directly related to their gender identity. Only 15 percent of those respondents had filed a complaint, according to the report.

Alabama – Going as a bigot for Halloween? Need a character name? Look no further… (Montgomery Advertiser)

D.C. – Mayor Adrian Fenty seeks, pockets the drag vote. Who knew those queens and kings had such power? (Politico)

Palm Beach – Coming soon, “Sugar Daddy Ken” to add new dimension to parents’ fears about their sons’ sexuality. (The Advocate)

Teh Internets – Need some pro-choice Halloween costume ideas? (NYC Unrated and Unfiltered)