Wish Pam A Speedy Recovery!

Pam Spaulding is one of the great treasures among bloggers and netroots activists, and someone I'm honored to call a friend. Many of you who listen to the show know her as a regular contributor, someone who gives us a lot of insight on LGBT politics, race, gender and and all the other "third rails" that the bloviators, politicians and pop stars are often stepping on. Pam and I have spent many hours IMing about the absurdity of it all, often cracking up at the computer screen. It's what I love about her: In addition to offering sharp political analysis she just plain makes me laugh. She does her job well and she has fun doing it.

I'm thinking about Pam today because she's heading into surgery and I'm happy to be part of a blogswarm sending her love and best wishes. My thoughts are with her and her wife Kate, and their doggies, as Pam recuperates. Please send her some good vibes and well wishes, and if you can, make a contribution to PamsHouseBlend as Pam is going to be on unpaid leave for a month. The work Pam does on PamsHouseBlend, in addition to having a day job, provides an incalculable service. As a citizen journalist and blogger she's done an enormous amount to foster truth and advance LGBT rights. We love you Pam! Get well soon!

Congrats to Pam!

Pam Spaulding has been honored by Women's Media Center, along with Christiane Amanpour, Rachel Maddow, Tina Fey and others.

Pam is one of the most committed LGBT bloggers I know, and I am privileged to have become a friend in recent years. I rely on her point of view and, honestly, we also have a lot of laughs! I love, above all, people who not only are committed to the work we all do, but who also have fun doing it.

Pam, you are a great asset to us all and I salute you.

On Today's Show: Zapata Murder Trial

4:40 ET: Autumn Sundeen, covering the trial in the brutal murder of transgender woman Angie Zapata, joins me from Greeley, Colorado. The trial opens today and this is the first application of Colorado's transgender-inclusive hate crimes law. Sundeen will be covering the trial for PamsHouseblend.