Physical attacks on people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity will now be considered a federal crime after a provision was passed yesterday in the Senate by a vote of 68-29.

The Hate Crimes Prevention Act represents a huge victory for the LGBT community and everyone who supports justice and equality for all, and is named in honor of Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who was kidnapped and beaten to death in 1998, and James Byrd, Jr., an African-American man dragged to death in Texas that same year. 

By broadening the definition of federal hate crimes to include those committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity, the provision provides members of the LGBT community the same long-overdue federal protection as those who are victimized because of their race, religion, or national origin.

The provision, which was attached to the annual defense policy bill, is currently on its way to the President Obama’s desk, and he has expressed his firm commitment to signing the measure into law.