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Denmark
Denmark becomes the first country in the world to legally recognize same-sex unions, after passing a bill legalizing “registered partnerships” -
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres and her television character, Ellen Morgan, come out. Ellen becomes the first television show to feature a lesbian or gay lead character. The show
is cancelled the following year. -
NYC
NYC expands the definition of “gender” to include protections for transgender and gender non-conforming people in employment, housing, and public
accommodations in the NYC Human Rights Law. -
U.S Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court overturns sodomy laws, proclaiming rights to privacy and decriminalizing “homosexual” behavior. -
Massachusetts
Massachusetts becomes the first U.S. state to legally recognize same-sex marriage. -
U.S Military
The US military policy “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” officially ends. This allows lesbian, gay, and bisexual people to serve openly in the military. The repeal of “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell” does not lift regulations barring many transgender people from serving. -
2015...BIG year for LGBTQ
-MTV’s critically acclaimed series True Life airs an episode covering the topic of living and being genderqueer -Cincinnati votes to ban reparative/conversion therapy of LGBTQ youth. -The Supreme Court rules that states are required to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, legalizing marriage equality in all 50 states. -The US Department of Health and Human Services issues an official revision that shortens the deferral period for blood donation from men who have sex with men. -
U.S Military
Secretary of Defense Carter announces that the Pentagon is lifting the ban on transgender people serving openly in the US military. -
U.S Military
The Pentagon confirms that the first transgender person has signed a contract to join the US military. -
U.S Military
The Trump administration announces a new policy that bans most transgender people from serving in military. After several court battles, the Supreme Court allows the ban to go into effect in January 2019. -
That's Show Bizz baby
Billy Porter becomes the first openly gay black man to win the Emmy for best lead actor in a drama series.