News

Daniel Hernandez, an openly gay 21-year-old University of Arizona student, was just five days into his new job as an intern for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) when, during a routine “meet & greet” with her constituents in a suburban Tucson shopping center, a mentally disturbed man open fired in an assassination attempt on Giffords, killing six people among the gathered crowd, including a federal judge…

This year, while several individuals who were outspoken in their support for LGBTQ rights, there was one quiet and unassuming figure, who stood out for his forceful, determined and unwavering support of gay and lesbian persons being able to proudly wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces of the United States — Admiral Mike Mullen, LGBT Nation’s choice for Ally of the Year.

From the repeal of “Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell,” a policy which had banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the U. S. military, to winning strategic battles in gaining civil unions and full marriage equality for same-sex couples in several states, victories in a significant series of elective offices across the country, 2011 ended on an upbeat note for the nation’s LGBTQ community.

One leading advocate called 2011 an “epic” year for marriage equality. Was it? While only one state — New York — enacted full marriage rights for same-sex couples, it was the most populous state to do so. Five other states also moved closer to marriage equality than ever before. Public opinion shifted dramatically towards supporting equality. And the Obama administration announced that it no longer considers a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act constitutional.

Few in the GOP field could rival President Obama with their records on LGBT issues, and yet, the outcome of the Republican presidential race riveted the attention of LGBT people in 2011. Many of the contenders were notoriously anti-gay. They were often asked about, or were inclined to share, their positions on gay-related issues.

“President Obama has long relied on his oratorical gifts to ease him through tricky political situations. But on the emotionally charged issue of gay rights, Mr. Obama has been content recently to let his lieutenants do the talking. And they have said some striking things,” reported Mark Landler, Senior White House Correspondent for The New York Times, on Friday.

Continuing a series of posts on the significant developments in the LGBT community in 2011, there were numerous advances around the world in the rights and visibility of transgender and intersex people.

HONOLULU — In a private ceremony set for just after midnight on Sunday, January 1, four same sex couples will enter into civil unions as the state’s new civil unions law takes effect.

As 2011 comes to a close, it is time yet again count down those special moments in which the religious right and other assorted members of the anti-gay industry made complete asses of themselves on video…

MOSCOW — As tens of thousands of protesters braved sub zero temperatures across the Russian Federation last week to protest against the alleged election fraud and corruption by the Putin led government, demanding more freedom and democracy, leading Russian LGBTQ activists claimed that the opposition movement leadership excluded them.