Matthew Shepard was killed because he was gay.

So you know those days when you’re kicking back with your friends and something in the news riles you up, and you say something like, “Someone should do something!” or “That’s not right!” or “We need a law to fix that!” or “Why doesn’t Congress do more to help GLBT’s?”?

Well, this is your chance to indeed make sure that something gets done.

It is VERY likely that the Senate will vote on the Matthew Shepard Act today. Watch HRC’s video about hate crimes and hate crimes legislation here. As some of our commentators have noted, the law isn’t perfect. But it’s a step toward adding GLBT’s to the protected classes. If both the Matthew Shepard Act and ENDA pass, we can count this legislative season as a real success.

Do you want your Senator to vote in favor of gay-friendly hate crimes legislation?

Then call them. Look up the number for your Senator here.

This is when your voice really matters. Your call counts.

Remember former America’s Next Top Model contender Kim Stolz from several cycles ago? She was the openly gay gal who liked to smooch around with her modelish competitors… Well, these days she’s working the news runways for MTV2 and MTV News, out on the campaign trail. Go Kim! She told us over a year ago that she wanted to pursue a TV news career. How cool that she’s on her way, eh?

Anyway, she’s been hanging with Prez wannabe John Edwards on the campaign trail (which sort of makes Iowa like a big loft apartment where the White House aspirants are hoping to be “America’s Next Top Presidential Candidate”), and recently filed these video reports.

First, at the risk of sounding sublimely superficial, both Edwards and Stolz look fab here. If they had drinks in hand they could be chatting at a cocktail party. And I think Kim looks grrreat with her longer hair and fancy, blousy dress. Sharp!

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The bishops of the Episcopal Church USA who just voted to adopt a resolution on the ordination of gay bishops may well have taken the most consequential step in the history of Anglicanism since Henry VIII broke from Rome.

The actual language of the resolution was anything but revolutionary; in fact, it was at least in part simply a restatement of the status quo. According to the Episcopal News Service, “the House of Bishops on September 25 agreed overwhelmingly by voice vote to reiterate the 2006 General Convention Resolution B033 that said they would ‘exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.’ They also pledged not to authorize public rites for same-gender blessings ‘until a broader consensus emerges in the Communion, or until General Convention takes further action.’”

But significantly, the bishops also deplored “incursions into our jurisdictions by uninvited bishops and call for them to end” and called for “unequivocal and active commitment to the civil rights, safety, and dignity of gay and lesbian persons.”

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Bill O’Reilly realizes blacks have ten fingers

Never been a fan of Bill O’Reilly. For some reason shouting as a debate tactic irks me. And I’m sorry, no matter how much he repeats it the so-called “War on Christmas” is pure hokum. So when Media Matters, described by the O’Reilly as “a far left smear Web site,” took the “No Spin Zone” master to task recently about comments he made on his radio program I paid attention. Apparently O’Reilly and the Rev. Al Sharpton recently dined at Sylvia’s, a famous eatery in Harlem, and O’Reilly was shocked (I said SHOCKED people!) that a person can have a lovely meal at a black owned restaurant.

“And I couldn’t get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia’s restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City,” O’Reilly said. “I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it’s run by blacks, primarily black patronship.”

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Melissa Harris-Lacewell, a professor of African American studies at Princeton, calls today for black Christians to support the Matthew Shepard Act, which would extend hate crime law to cover crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity bias.

It’s surprising they don’t - the NAACP supports the bill, now currently before Congress, as do most state attorneys general and law enforcement agencies.

But Harris-Lacewell points out that a small group of conservative African-American pastors are taking action against the bill, claiming that it would label their anti-gay sermons as a hate crime.

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Reno rocks the Grammys in 2005.

And you thought it was just an old SNL sketch with Will Ferrell in drag! Actually, Janet Reno has released a CD box set (really, she was one of the producers who put this together) entitled Song of America, which “tells the history of our country through song, from 1492 through modern times.”

Reno and her nephew, music producer Ed Pettersen, compiled these new versions of 50 classic American folk songs interpreted by current artists, who span from classical to country to hip-hop. Old southern folks tunes are included, as well as more recent classics like “The Message” by Grand Master Flash, re-envisoned by Shortee; and Martha Wainwright delivering “I Am Woman.”

Reno explains, “I thought that music would be a great way to engage listeners, especially young listeners, and spark their interest so they could gain a greater understanding and appreciation for our history. I am very proud to be associated with this collection of inspired performances.”

Here’s a little sampler!

Rock out, Janet!

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