I am happy to say that after 10 years there is finally progress on the Hate crimes bill. With pressure from voters and a mostly sympathetic congress we finally have a real chance:

Despite many people’s insistence that crimes of all sorts are covered by state laws and there is no need for hate crimes legislation, the Congress, or at least the Democratic majority, disagree. Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy is pushing to attach the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act to the must pass Defense Reauthorization Bill. Such a move is not uncommon, and is usually meant to give cover to Senators who want to vote for such legislation, but would feel less that able to given their home state or their district.lezgetreal.com, Shepard Bill To Be Attached To Defense Bill, Jul 2009

You should read the whole article.