Now that 2010 is officially here, I thought it would be interesting to look back at 2009 to see how far we have come as an community. For a lot of us (me included) 2009 was a horrible year, there were some positives that we can embrace. This top 10 listing was culled from research done at the Bilerico Project blog and writer Bil Browning:
Number 10: Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga & Chaz Bono reveal themselves to the world!
Lambert, Lady Gaga and Bono
So what happens when you don’t tuck properly – you get embarrassed (or at the least) you shock your adoring audience. Thus the country’s revelation that Lady Gaga is bisexual or transgendered. Did it hurt her career? Not in the least, as she continues to sell records by the thousands. Adam Lambert of American Idol fame came out of the closet and also caused quite a stir by simulating a sex act at the American Music Awards – thus confirming the double standard that its okay for straight folks to do it in public but gay folks can’t. Finally, Chaz Bono came out stating he was beginning his “transition” thus helping to bring the issues of transgendered people to the forefront.
Number 9: Stonewall Riots – history repeat itself once again.
The police are at it again
The Stonewall Riots may have occurred in 1969 but that hasn’t stopped history from repeating itself again. Texas ABC agents and Ft. Worth Police stormed the opening of a gay bar sending one man with brain injuries to the hospital. Texas ABC ended up firing two of its agents for the incident while the Ft. Worth Police maintained the patron brought the injuries onto himself. Is police brutality on the rise? Is police brutality against gay folks on the rise? Ask many people and they will tell you yes.
Number 8: Can California overturn Prop 8?
It was originally a 2008 story- California voters denying same-sex marriage. In 2009, attempts were made and failed to overturn Prop 8 with the right hiring top gun lawyers and forming all kinds of new political action groups. Will a new measure hit the ballots in 2010 or 2012? Only time will tell. The most important question to ask is “will the people of California finally realize that gay marriage is not something to be scarred of.”
Is Obama for Gay Rights?
Number 7: The Justice Department says DOMA is okay?
Although this created a stir in the gay community and a backlash against President Obama, it’s result comes as no surprise. DOMA is legal and on the books; so when the Justice Department had to make a statement because of a legal challenge – surprise- they had to defend the current law. Who would have thunk it!! Somehow (of course) that defense was translated to Obama doesn’t want to help the LGBT community and all of a sudden, the community is up in arms. Will DOMA get overturn on Obama’s watch? Hopefully. Will don’t ask, don’t tell get repealed? Probably. But 2009 was a nightmare for the country and you can only do so much. I think our community needs to have just a little patience – after all – if McCain was in office – we would never get what we want.
Number 6: The LGBT print media doesn’t recognize changing times.
The LGBT print media suffered from the same fate as its hetero counterparts. Not recognizing that the public has steadily moved away (for years) from print media in favor of the more convenient online services. It is surprising considering that many LGBT folks get their information exclusively online, you would think that publications like “The Washington Blade,” TWIT,” David’s Magazine,” “Southern Voice,” – would realize this and change their strategy. Nope, didn’t happen and as a result many respected and important voices in the gay community were silenced. 11 papers and counting – not to mention that the advent of the gay book store is suffering as well (my partner and I have always wanted to run our own book store and cafe). It’s all about the internet now!!
Number 5: Congress says “yes” to HIV travelers.
When it comes to basic civil liberties for LGBT folks, it seems that the world gets it right before the U.S. does. It took a while, but Congress this year finally repealed the ban on HIV + travelers to this country. The ban represented one of the darkest moments for this country as we systemically discriminated against people with HIV while there was no scientific basis for the ban. The rest of the world admonished us for it – Obama recognized it was wrong and ended it.
Number 4: A March on Washington Returns!
I remember when I was a field producer in 1993 helping to produce a video for the March on Washington in ‘93. It was an amazing experience considering I was struggling with coming out to myself. I wanted to be in Washington in 2009 for this historic march – the National Equality March that brought over 250,000 people to the nation’s capital. What was extraordinary about this march? It was originally shunned by many, fearing cost and support. But a grass-roots campaign and national support from celebrities got the ball running and in 6 short months, the march was put together at a cost south of $200,000. Far cheaper and faster than any major march for LGBT rights on record.
Number 3: Activist win the fight in Washington and Kalamazoo – but lose in Maine.
Of course, if you listen to the right – gay folks are out to ruin the nation and convert our children and their was not shortness of rhetoric in the 2009 year. But a few victories were achieved. Kalamazoo upheld their law outlawing discrimination against LGBT people. Washington “upgrades” its domestic partnership law which includes many (if not all) of the benefits and protections afforded heterosexual couples. Maine on the other hand, overturned the same-sex marriage law – leaving only Civil Unions in place.
Number 2: And then there was 6?
So you are a gay couple and you want to get married. A few years ago, you had to travel to Canada or take a trip to the Netherlands. Not anymore. 6 states have allowed same-sex marriages: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (despite the Republican Governor’s veto), New Hampshire and Washington DC. Progress is slow but it’s coming.
Number 1: Pro Gay Legislation makes history!
President Obama signed into law the first pro-LGBT piece of legislation in United States history when he put his signature on the
A Victory for the Shepard Family
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The legislation was first proposed a decade before after Shepard, a gay college student from Wyoming, was beaten and tied to a fence to die. Contributor Cathy Renna was one of the first LGBT activists to reach Matthew’s hospital bedside and worked with his mother, Judy Shepard to ensure passage of the legislation. The new law has already been instrumental in forcing an investigation into the death of Puerto Rican teenager Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado.
So there you have it – 10 issues that have made a difference in the live of gay and lesbian people all over the country. Here’s hoping for bigger and better things in 2010.
Thomas
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