United States, North America

Owing to the United States' federal system and the diversity in attitudes toward LGBT rights, the status of LGBT civil rights in the U.S. is at present a patchwork. At the federal level, there is no recognition of same-sex unions and no laws forbidding employment discrimination against LGBT persons. Some states have enacted such laws, however. State legislatures in Connecticut (2005), California (1999), Hawaii (1996), Maine (2004), New Jersey (2006), Washington (2007), New Hampshire (2007), Oregon (2007) Vermont (1999) and the District of Columbia (2001) have enacted either civil unions or more limited domestic partnership options for same-sex couples. Since 2004 marriage is open to gays in Massachusetts; Connecticut made it available in 2008. More states are debating it currently. For more, click here.

 

News & Reports:

 

The UN’s LGBT expert has advocated for a global partnership to end violence

He advocated for unity in his keynote speech at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) in Bangkok. Vitit Muntarbhorn said: “resolute action is required to stop the violence and discrimination affecting not only LGBT communities but also the human rights defenders working with them… “this goes hand in hand with the… Read more »

Son Of Immigrants Is First Openly Gay Man Elected To Georgia Legislature

A huge step toward equality. Samuel Park (D), the son of Korean immigrants, made history on Tuesday after he was elected the first openly gay man to the Georgia legislature. The Georgia native defeated three-term incumbent Rep. Valerie Clark (R), with 51percent of the vote, becoming state representative for House District 101 in Gwinnett County.… Read more »

Hillary Clinton unveils plan to stamp out homophobic bullying in schools

Hillary Clinton has unveiled a plan to stamp out bullying and discrimination in schools. Campaigning in North Carolina ahead of next week’s Presidential election, the former Secretary of State unveiled a major plan to tackle bullying and discrimination in schools. The ‘Better than Bullying’ plan involves more than $500 million in new funding to help… Read more »

White House Staff ‘Goes Purple’ To Support LGBT Youth

White House staffers on Thursday were among the elected and public officials who went purple for Spirit Day. Spirit Day supports efforts to combat the bullying of LGBT teens. Supporters were encouraged to wear purple on Thursday. Since its inception in 2010, GLAAD has played a prominent role in promoting Spirit Day. The White House’s… Read more »

Hundreds find comfort, community at Dallas’ other gay pride festival, for Latinos

For the hundreds of residents who turned out for Dallas’ Texas Latino Gay Pride event, Saturday brought a sense of comfort — and plenty of cumbia. Music was ever-present at the third-annual festival, held from 2 to 10 p.m. at Reverchon Park in Oak Lawn. The crowd sang and danced along with cumbia, merengue and… Read more »

Quakers believe that all are born equal and our love is equal too

For Quaker Week, the Religious Society of Friends is advertising on PinkNews in a bid to reach out and welcome LGBT people. They explain their stance below: Quakers welcome lesbian, gay and bisexual, non-binary and transgender people. We affirm the love of God for all people, whatever their sexuality or gender identity. In 2009 we… Read more »

Pro skateboarder comes out as gay

Professional skateboarder Brian Anderson has come out as gay. Anderson, who took the skating community by storm in the late 90s with his daredevil moves, revealed his sexuality on Vice Sports’ ‘Reda for the World’. He believes that he was able to avoid speculation because he doesn’t fit the stereotype of what a gay man… Read more »

Billboards claim being gay is a choice; Texas LGBT community protests

Waco, Texas (KCEN) – A pair of billboards are causing controversy in Waco, Texas’ LGBT community. They read “Ex-Gays prove change is possible.” The billboards are sponsored by PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays), a Virginia-based volunteer group. The group has a handful of billboards in Texas The group believes people are not born gay… Read more »

Orlando Mayor Wants City To Create Permanent Memorial At Pulse Nightclub

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Wednesday that he wants the city to create a permanent memorial at the Pulse nightclub to honor the victims of a mass shooting that took place there. Dyer told WMFE that the city should purchase the gay nightclub, “then make some determination, with a lot of input, on what a… Read more »

Obama in Orlando: We must challenge violence against LGBT people across the entire world

President Obama has delivered a speech after visiting victims of the mass shooting in Orlando’s Pulse nightclub. 49 people were killed and 53 injured in the shocking terrorist hate crime attack over the weekend,which saw a gunman open fire inside The Pulse gay bar in Orlando, Florida. With over 100 people dead or injured, it… Read more »

Ex-Wife Says Orlando Shooter Might Have Been Hiding Homosexuality From His Family

“There were things he would do in his daily life that most straight men don’t do” Omar Mateen’s sexuality was the least of Sitora Yusufiy’s worries. Their five-month marriage was abusive from the start. He was controlling. He kept her from seeing her family. He beat her, pulled her hair, dug his fingernails into the… Read more »

Did Orlando shooter have his own gay urges?

The father of the guy who shot and killed scores of men at a gay nightclub in Orlando the other night said yesterday that his son became especially enraged a few years ago at the sight of two men kissing. This suggests to me that the shooter perhaps suffered from a certain form of homophobia… Read more »

The hate behind the Orlando massacre

Omar Siddiqui Mateen’s attack was more of a hate crime than an act ordained by his religion. On early Sunday morning in Orlando, Florida, a lone gunman opened fire in a gay nightclub. The shooter, Omar Mateen, killed 53 people – the overwhelming majority of whom were Latina/o, Black and Brown members of the LGBTQ… Read more »

Nightclub shooting in Orlando is the worst in American history

The Murder in the early hours of June 12th of at least 50 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, apparently by a 29-year-old American-born Muslim wielding an assault rifle and handgun, was swiftly and loudly seized upon by political partisans as a vindication of everything that they already believe about Muslims, the fight… Read more »

2016 Orlando nightclub shooting

On June 12, 2016, a mass shooting occurred inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, United States. Fifty people died, including the gunman, who was killed by Orlando police after a three-hour standoff. An additional 53 people were injured. It was the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in the United States, and… Read more »

Orlando Gunman Attacks Gay Nightclub, Leaving 50 Dead

Orlando, Fla. — A man who called 911 to proclaim allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group, and who had been investigated in the past for possible terrorist ties, stormed a gay nightclub here Sunday morning, wielding an assault rifle and a pistol, and carried out the worst mass shooting in United States history, leaving… Read more »

Mass. Senate passes transgender bill

After an emotional debate, the Massachusetts state Senate on Thursday passed a controversial bill that would prohibit discrimination against transgender people in sports arenas, gas stations, movie theaters, bars, malls, and other public accommodations. The vote was 33-4. The measure would update state anti-discrimination law. So, just as a restaurant or theater can’t refuse service… Read more »

Gay couple win high-profile surrogacy battle in Thailand

A court in Thailand has awarded custody of a baby to a same-sex couple after a high-profile custody battle with a Thai surrogate mother. The Thai surrogate handed over the baby girl to Gordon Lake and Manuel Santos after her birth last year – but ten days later, she refused to sign the documentation needed… Read more »

The Art of Reading Russian Obituaries

A journalist was killed in St. Petersburg last week, but no one called for an immediate and full investigation. No one seemed to suspect that he was killed because of his work. In a country of frequent and varied violence, this was a different kind of crime, a murder that dare not speak its name.… Read more »

Same-Sex Couples Can Now Adopt Children In All 50 States

A federal judge ruled Mississippi’s ban on same-sex adoption is unconstitutional. A federal judge ruled Thursday that Mississippi’s ban on same-sex couples adopting children is unconstitutional, making gay adoption legal in all 50 states. U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan issued a preliminary injunction against the ban, citing the Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide… Read more »

Texas and Alabama love watching lesbian porn, don’t love protecting lesbians from discrimination

A study has revealed that lesbian porn is incredibly popular in states with no discrimination protections for lesbian couples. Pornhub, which is one of the most popular porn websites in the world, released a breakdown this week of the most popular search terms used on the site, across the 50 US states. The study explains:… Read more »

In a Gay-Friendly Age, Poor LGBT New Yorkers Still Struggle

Marriage equality is progress, but the LGBT movement needs to tackle economic oppression as well if it is to achieve broader equality. Our society’s image of the gay urban dweller is often white, educated, and financially comfortable. But despite the patina of social progress, there’s a tale of two cities for queer New York, too.… Read more »

Misterbnb: Gay travel revolution takes on homestays

(CNN) Most travelers pack an extra pair of socks, a rainy day itinerary, and some spare cash, planning for the worst when on vacation. Few have to worry about preparing a contingency plan for their accommodations if an Airbnb host decides they don’t approve of their lifestyle. But when Frenchman Matthieu Jost and his partner… Read more »

Two High-Ranking Divers Come Out as Gay and In a Relationship

University of Miami diver Tanner Wilfong and Jamie Bissett, a diver who recently graduated from Purdue University, have publicly come out as gay and in a relationship. Bissett is the reigning Canadian national 3-meter champion in diving. Wilfong is the first active athlete in the history of University of Miami to come out as gay,… Read more »

Where Can Queer Muslims Go to Pray?

Groups around the U.S. are pushing back on the deep-rooted stereotype that LGBTQ identity is incompatible with Islam. In the media, being queer and Muslim often seems to amount to being a victim. In articles on violence against LGBTQ people in Muslim-majority countries, or pieces on the challenges of coming out, the queer person’s connection… Read more »

Puerto Rico adopts same-sex marriage too!

The overseas United States territory of Puerto Rico will join the US in allowing same-sex marriage. After the Supreme Court decision that brought same-sex marriage to all 50 states, Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla has said the territory will follow suit. He acknowledged that was opposition to the move in the largely Catholic island,… Read more »

Supreme Court Legalizes Gay Marriage Nationwide

Washington – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Friday that it is legal for all Americans, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, to marry the people they love. The decision is a historic victory for gay rights activists who have fought for years in the lower courts. Thirty-seven states and the District of… Read more »

The week that changed the nation

Washington (CNN)  The times, they are a changing, suddenly at whiplash speed. After a momentous week, same-sex couples can now marry in all 50 states, the Confederate flag’s historic hold on the political institutions of the Deep South is fraying by the hour and Obamacare, after defying another attempt to dismantle it, is now reaffirmed… Read more »

The Supreme Court on Friday Struck down state bans on gay marriage.

In the 5-4 decision written by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the high court said that the U.S. Constitution guarantees gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, praised the ruling in a written statement. “Today’s ruling is a transformative triumph decades in the making, a momentous victory for… Read more »

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Forgotten Anti-Gay Sex Crusade

The Newport Sex Scandal of 1919 targeted men having sex with men in the Navy, prefiguring the legalized persecution of LGBT citizens in and out of the armed services. It was one of the first 20th-century anti-gay witch-hunts, a panic that gripped the American Navy between 1919 and 1921. The Newport Sex Scandal, taking its… Read more »

New York’s Stonewall Inn To Get Official Landmark Status

New York — New York City’s landmarks commission has voted to grant official status to the Stonewall Inn, the Greenwich (GREN’-ich) Village bar where resistance to a police raid sparked the modern gay rights movement. The unanimous vote Tuesday marks the first time a site has been designated as a landmark in the city because… Read more »

New ‘State Of Change’ Documentary Short Takes An Intimate Look At South Carolina’s LGBT Community

The Huffington Post is proud to debut GLAAD’s new mini-documentary that examines the triumphs and tribulations of South Carolina’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The 20-minute film, “GLAAD Presents: State of Change — South Carolina,” was produced as part of GLAAD’s Southern Stories program and is the first in a six-part series of… Read more »

Indianapolis Rallies Around Its Gay Citizens After a Law Sets Off a Flood of Support

In a state perhaps best known for its hallowed speedway and lean-to-the-right politics, the pageantry of the past week might have seemed unexpected. On Wednesday, a standing-room-only crowd snacked on rainbow-colored fruit skewers at a forum on transgender issues. On Thursday, men donned blond wigs and high heels at a drag show to raise money… Read more »

Alibaba Helps Chinese LGBT Couples Say ‘We Do’ in West Hollywood

Beijing – It took a trip across the Pacific, but this week seven Chinese same-sex couples finally had the chance to say “I do” in West Hollywood. In an event co-sponsored by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba and the Chinese gay dating app Blued, the lucky couples won the chance for a destination wedding and star… Read more »

West Hollywood marries seven contest-winning gay couples from China

West Hollywood, Calif. Seven gay and lesbian couples from China were married in the Southern California gay capital of West Hollywood on Tuesday after winning a contest sponsored by a pair of Chinese Internet companies. The seven couples were selected from among more than 2,000 based on videos they submitted detailing their love stories, after… Read more »

The Beautiful Way Hawaiian Culture Embraces A Particular Kind Of Transgender Identity

In traditional, Western culture, gender identity is often considered a binary concept: You are either male or you are female. This restrictive and defining construct makes it difficult for our society to understand people like Bruce Jenner, who recently came out as transgender, because they don’t always fit neatly into a box. While some transgender… Read more »

Harvard Study Reveals that All Homophobic People are Gay

A shocking, double-blind study released by Harvard, in collaboration with MIT, has revealed that all people who are homophobic are actually homosexuals themselves. The study, which was carried out over the course of 5 years and involved nearly 5,000 male subjects, is being accepted by the American Psychological Association as being “scientifically irrefutable.” This lengthy,… Read more »

It Is Now Illegal For A Federal Contractor To Fire Someone For Being LGBT

Washington – For the first time, companies that have contracts with the federal government are now prohibited from firing or discriminating against employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, thanks to an executive order that takes effect Wednesday. President Barack Obama signed the order in June 2014 banning workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay,… Read more »

In far-flung US territories, gay marriage hasn’t arrived

While more than 70 percent of U.S. states now allow same-sex marriage, the waves of change have yet to reach America’s far-flung and socially conservative territories in the Caribbean and Pacific. Of the five territories, only Puerto Rico has faced a lawsuit seeking the right for gay and lesbian couples to wed, and a federal… Read more »

US: Barack Obama to appoint LGBT rights envoy

Barack Obama is to create a new envoy role within the State Department, to promote LGBT rights around the world. The US President is expected to announce later this month that he will appoint the first LGBT rights envoy. According to an official within the State Department, the envoy will be an openly gay Foreign… Read more »