Military's DADT policy repealed
On Sept. 20, the nearly two-decade policy prohibiting gays and lesbians from serving openly in the United States Armed Forces finally came to an end. Don't Ask Don't Tell, created in 1993, was repealed and now service men and women cannot be discharged simply because of their sexual orientation. The policy made headlines throughout 2011 as experts studied the effects the repeal may have on active military personnel. Since its repeal, no major issues surrounding out soldiers have been reported in any U.S. Military branch.
NY Marriage equality marks milestone
While it's not the first state to recognize same-sex marriage, it is definitely the most populous. New York State legalized same-sex marriage in June, prompting literal dancing in the streets outside Stonewall Inn, the bar credited as the site of the birth of the LGBT equality movement. The vote was broadcast on cable news networks late into the evening and many legislators' votes were influenced by constituents' calls and an online HRC campaign featuring celebrities as â┚¬Å”New Yorkers for Marriage Equality.â┚¬ÂÂ
DOMA comes under fire
The Obama Administration announced this year that it would no longer battle the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, prompting Republican House Speaker John Boehner to pour money into defending the law making marriage laws a state issue. In its wake, the decision by the administration prompted a move toward the repeal of DOMA, which outlaws federal recognition of same-sex unions. Whether that will prove successful remains to be seen.
Anti-gay rhetoric rampant among GOP candidates
While the field of candidates for the Republican presidential nomination fluctuated throughout the year, one thing seemed to remain constantâ┚¬â€Âtheir attacks on gay marriage rights. Rick Santorum, Michelle Bachman and Newt Gingrich have all pledged to fight marriage equality and Rick Perry recently released an ad about â┚¬Å”family valuesâ┚¬Â and the dangers of same-sex marriage in America. In December Mitt Romney was asked by a 14 year old bisexual girl chided the former Massachusetts governor about his opposition to marriage rights just days after the GOP hopeful ambushed a Vietnam Veteran and his husband during a dinner to ask for their support.
Ugandan â┚¬Å”Kill the Gaysâ┚¬Â bill gets media spotlight
In Uganda, homosexuality is punishable by up to life in prison. In 2011, the Ugandan parliament constantly pushed a bill that would make homosexuality punishable by death. The law, which has not been passed yet, has been condemned by human rights organizations around the globe while has seen support from some Christian religious leaders from the United States. While the bill was killed in May after it didn't make it to a debate, it was reintroduced in December in the wake of the U.S.'s threat of removing financial support related to the mistreatment of LGBTs.
