LGBT Activism: Past, Present, Future

What does "progress" mean on hate crime legislation necessarily mean? More legislation? What does it call for? What are the benefits, as well as the setbacks, of these types of legislation, or legislation at all? Here, I also mean same-sex marriage. What I mean is this: We as activists cannot believe that legislation and the law is the ultimate telos of humanity and human emancipation from oppressions, whatever they may be. Even though anti-discrimination is codified, it does not mean that when a transgender/lesbian/gay/woman/black/hispanic/asian/immigrant/muslim is fired their employer would say, "I am firing you because you are a transgender/lesbian/gay/woman/black/hispanic/asian/immigrant/muslim." Ultimately, although this "progress" may certainly be progress, we must also remember that the law and politics (in the American sense) is not a direct reflection of society. My question then: what else can we do? This is perhaps the time-old question of activism groups. Furthermore, perhaps we must also remember to straddle the line of action and curiosity very carefully. What are the ramifications of passing legislation? What are its normalizing effects and who does it leave out? Just thoughts. Train of thoughts really.