It seems like everyone in the country is on vacation, but we’re not taking a break here on The Agenda . Tonight we’ll have Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass., a champion of ending the military’s discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that bans gay soldiers. XM’s John von Soosten of On Broadway will give us the inside look at the Great White Way. Then back to politics, I’ll talk with some young campaign workers getting ready to go into the field.

oe sits down with Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz of Malin+Goetz in Cup of Joe and then we’ll talk with two men who forged an unlikely friendship while working at L.A.’s Museum of Tolerance.

Last week President Bush signed a pension reform bill that will give same-sex couples rights previously reserved only for married couples under federal law. Jamey Delaplane will join us to sort it all out.

Finally, we’re going to dish some celebrity gossip and look at how the media handles all of the gay rumors. Perez Hilton of the wildly popular PerezHilton.com will be our guest along with Larry Gross, the director of the School of Communication at the Annenberg School at USC and author of “Up From Visibility: Lesbians, Gay Men and the Media in America.”

Don’t forget we’ll be taking your calls during the show live tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. Eastern - 877/9-AGENDA (877/924-3632). You can also e-mail us at TheAgenda@hrc.org.

We kicked off last night’s show with Rep. Chris Shays - a Republican moderate from Connecticut. He talked not only about the future of moderates in American politics, but also how gay teachers who influenced him growing up taught him important lessons about GLBT equality.

It’s a big week for HIV/AIDS activists with the International AIDS Conference taking place in Toronto. Rebecca Haag, the head of the national group AIDS Action and the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, joined us via phone from the conference. Listen to Mary and Joe’s chat with Rebecca.

In Cup of Joe I talked with acclaimed producer and director Lee Daniels, who brings us the new film Shadowboxer. Lee talked to me about the movie; dished a bit on the film’s star, Cuba Gooding Jr.; and gave us a preview of other projects he’s working on. Take a listen.

This week’s Skinny featured our furry friends and why GLBT folks are so into pets. Cindy Chang, a freelance writer in Los Angeles, talked about L.A. bars and restaurants catering to pet owners. Zack Grey, the owner of Urban Tails, took listener calls about doggie dos and don’ts.

Jesse Brune of Bravo’s hit new series Work Out filled in for Jackie Warner and gave us the lowdown on fitness, diets and being on one of the season’s hottest new TV shows. He also took some calls from listeners trying to beef up their workout routines.

Two amazing transgender authors and leaders joined us in Point of View to give us the 101 on being transgender in America today. Donna Rose and Paisley Currah talked about transgender lingo and gender stereotypes and shared their personal stories. Listen to the fascinating conversation.

Finally, given the focus on HIV/AIDS in the news this week, Joe asked us all to redouble our efforts to fight the disease. Go out and learn more about your local AIDS service organization and make a donation. And get tested. It’s everyone’s responsibility to know their status.

This Monday night at 6 p.m. Eastern on XM’s Channel 200, The Agenda with Joe Solmonese will feature our trademark mix of politics and lifestyle. We’ll get a live report from the International AIDS Conference in Toronto and an on-the-ground view of the ever-changing political landscape in Connecticut from Congressman Chris Shays, a GOP co-sponsor of hate crimes legislation on the Hill. Then Joe and Mary will head out to Los Angeles and switch gears by looking at Americans’ fascination (and spending) on their dogs and cats, and they’ll catch up with trainer Jackie Warner, star of the new Bravo series "Work Out." Also, a conversation with transgender leaders and a talk with Lee Daniels, the director of the current film "Shadowboxer." All that and the musical Upload on The Agenda, Channel 200, 6-8 p.m. Eastern, and only on XM Satellite Radio.