Progress in the LGBT Community

2013

June 26

The Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, an act President Obama previously declared unconstitutional and refused to defend.

February 11

The Obama administration’s directive on same-sex domestic partner benefits opened the door for the Defense Department to extend legally available benefits and allowances to same-sex domestic partners of members of the Armed Forces.

2012

July 19

The Obama administration announced nearly 80 million in additional grants to fund HIV/AIDS care and end ADAP wait lists.

June 26

The Pentagon celebrated LGBT Pride month for the first time.

May 3

Under the directive of the Obama administration, our prison system added an LGBT representative to the diversity program at each of the nation’s 120 federal prisons.

May

President Obama and Vice President Biden announced their support for same-sex marriage.

May 17

The Obama administration finalized rules implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act providing specific protections for LGBT Americans.

April 23

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission extended the gender-based employment discrimination protections of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to transgender employees.

March

The Administration ensured transgender veterans receive respectful care according to their true gender through the Veterans Health Administration.

March 16

President Obama came out against North Carolina’s Amendment 1, which prohibits same-sex marriage in the state.

March 15

Michael Fitzgerald was confirmed to the federal bench in California, becoming the fourth openly gay nominee under President Obama, and second confirmed, after Alison Nathan.

February 7

The Obama administration promoted equal access to health care by enabling searches for health plans with same-sex partner benefits on healthcare.gov.

February 2

The White House announced an LGBT Conference Series to address issues affecting LGBT Americans, including health, housing, and safety.

January 28

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a new rule protecting against housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

2011

December 6

President Obama issued a presidential memorandum that directs all Federal agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons.

December 1

On World AIDS Day, President Obama recommitted the U.S. to creating an AIDS-free generation.

November 1

In his presidential proclamation of National Adoption Month, President Obama called for equal treatment for same-sex adoptive parents.

October 1

President Obama addressed the annual Human Rights Campaign dinner for the second time.

September 30

The Obama administration permitted military chaplains to officiate same-sex marriages where legal.

September 20

The Obama administration implemented the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”

September 15

The Obama administration ended the Social Security Administration’s gender “no-match” letters.

August 18

The Obama administration clarified the meaning of “family” to include LGBT relationships, helping to protect bi-national families threatened by deportation.

July 19

President Obama endorsed the Respect for Marriage Act, a legislative effort to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

May 27

The Obama administration issued guidance to foster safer working environments for transgender federal employees.

March 31

The Obama administration completed an Institute of Medicine study on LGBT health, the first of its kind.

March 10

The White House hosted the first-ever Conference on Bullying Prevention in America’s schools.

February 23

President Obama declared the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and announced the Administration would no longer defend it in court.

2010

December 22

President Obama signed the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don’t Tell”

December 21

The Obama administration led a United Nations measure to restore “sexual orientation” to the definition of human rights.

October 21

President Obama recorded “It Gets Better” video to support LGBT youth experiencing bullying.

October 1

The Department of Health and Human Services awarded the largest grant ever to an LGBT organization, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. The funds went toward combating discrimination against LGBT youth in the foster care system.

July 19

Under the leadership of the Obama administration, our representatives successfully fought for UN accreditation of IGLHRC (the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission).

June 22

The Obama administration released America’s first comprehensive plan to prevent and end homelessness, which includes homeless LGBT youth.

June 22

The Obama administration clarified the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure family leave for LGBT employees.

June 9

The Obama administration allowed transgender Americans to receive true gender passports without surgery.

April

The Justice Department issued guidance stating that federal prosecutors should enforce criminal provisions in the Violence Against Women Act in cases involving same-sex relationships.

April 15

The Obama administration ensured hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights for gay and lesbian patients.

January 4

The Obama administration lifted the ban that prohibited people with HIV/AIDS from entering the United States.

January 1

The Obama administration banned discrimination in federal workplaces based on gender identity.

2009

November

President Obama sent an administration official to the Senate to testify in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the first time any official of an administration has done so.

October 30

President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act.

October 28

President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into Law, which extends the coverage of federal hate crimes law to include attacks based on the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

October 21

The Obama administration created a National Resource Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders.

August 12

President Obama awarded the highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, to Billie Jean King and Harvey Milk.

June 29

President Obama hosted the first-ever White House LGBT Pride reception.

June 17

President Obama ordered the federal government to extend key benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

June 19

The Census Bureau ended a policy that kept LGBT relationships from being counted, encouraging couples who consider themselves married to file that way and urging transgender Americans to identify their true gender.