Dec 11 2009

1. Hate Crimes Passage/ HIV Ban Lifted: The historic passage of the first piece of pro-LGBT legislation to be passed by Congress and signed by the President is without a doubt one of the top stories of the year. It is a milestone. Add the President lifting the shameful HIV Travel ban and that makes this the top story of the year.

March


2. Marriage Equality Battles: Running an extremely close second is the continuing and epic struggle for freedom for the LGBT community. The battles in Maine, New York and New Jersey combined with the continuing struggle in California puts this story front and center. The Olsen/ Bois lawsuit on Proposition 8 adds to the importance of this story.

3. National Equality March: Anytime you get 200,000 young people to Washington, DC to march for full equality is a big deal. The fact that so many of the attendees were students marching side by side with their straight friends made the story even more powerful. In addition, the march was the first Internet organized March on Washington and came in under budget by over $80,000!

4. Proposition 8 Generation: The emergence of an entire new generation of activist and creative leadership after the defeat of Proposition 8 and the release of the film "Milk" continues to change the face of the LGBT freedom movement as we know it. Their 'calling card' was the National Equality March but that was just the opening number.

5. President Obama Speaks At HRC Dinner: When you have CNN covering live a speech by the President of the United States to the HRC dinner, then that is a big event. One can argue on substance but his speech stirred many in the country.

6. The Vanishing of the LGBT Print Media: All over the country LGBT newspapers, bookstores and magazines are vanishing. The Advocate is cutting back to once a month and others print outlets have just closed shop.

7. Emergence of LGBT Blogging Community: In good part the vanishing of the print media is due to the emergence of the LGBT blogging community and the Internet. Such bloggers sites as JoeMyGod, PamsHouseBlend and Towleroad became the source for news for the LGBT community.

8. Friction between Democrats and LGBT Community: For over two decades, the LGBT community has basically been an unquestioning key constituency for the Democratic Party providing huge margins and tons of cash from the LGBT community to the Democrats. This is the year that alliance has been seriously harmed if not changed forever.

9. International Oppression: Uganda, Iraq and Iran: More than any other year I can remember, this was the one where the American LGBT community really understood the persecution of our brothers and sisters in other countries. The hangings and beatings in Iraq and Iran were horrifying. However, the oppressive proposed legislation in Uganda not only rallied the world community but also showed us we might have successfully removed the worst parts of the proposed Bill Number 18.

10. Transgender Community/ Chaz Bono: This year the "T" in LGBT became even a more vital and important voice for our community. Not only have they borne the brunt of hate crimes but they have made their journeys even better known to the American people. Chaz Bono, in many ways, symbolized this courage. Chaz is doing his transition with dignity and courage.