2013: A Retrospect

From great accomplishments to disheartening setbacks and all the ups and downs in between, it has been quite a year for the LGBT community all over the world. Between disappointing and heartbreaking political decisions in Russia and Australia to an additional 9 states making same-sex marriage legal in the US, the year brought the good and the bad along with it.  

  

I thought it might be nice to take a look back at all that happened in 2013 so we can remember, reflect, and be ready for the new year. 

Here's to a final look back at 2013:

January - 

*Maryland begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

February – 

*Austria legalizes step-child adoptions for same-sex couples (meaning one's partner's biological child).

*Germany expands adoption for same-sex couples to include successive adoption (previously only step-children adoptions were allowed.

April - 

*The NBA's Jason Collins becomes the first active professional male athlete in North America to come out as gay.

*The National Assembly of France legalizes same-sex marriage and adoption.

May - 

*Civil unions are legalized in Colorado.

*The first anti-homophobic rally is held in Georgia despite heavy opposition.

*Evangelical Lutheran Church of America elects their first openly gay bishop, Guy Erwin, to the Southwest California Synod.

*Same-sex marriage is legalized in Brazil.

*Nigerian parliament bans same-sex marriage.

June - 

 *Exodus International, an organization devoted to the "re-orientation" of homosexual desires, shuts down after issuing a statement which repudiated its aims and apologizing for the harm their pursuit caused the LGBT community.

*The US Government deems Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional (meaning same-sex marriages that are legal on state levels are recognized on a federal level), and dismisses California's Proposition 8 (making same-sex marriage legal again in California).

*Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, signs into law a bill banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors".

July - 

*Delaware legalizes same-sex marriage.

August - 

*Rhode Island legalizes same-sex marriage

*Minnesota legalizes same-sex marriage

*New Zealand legalizes same-sex marriage

*Uruguay legalizes same-sex marriage

*Some counties in New Mexico begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

*The WWE's Fred Rosser (Darren Young) comes out, making him the first ever openly gay pro wrestler.

September - 

*More counties in New Mexico begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples

October - 

*New Jersey legalizes same-sex marriage.

November - 

*Hawaii legalizes same-sex marriage.

*Illinois legalizes same-sex marriage.

December -

*Xavier Bettel is appointed prime minister of Luxembourg, making him the third head of government in the world to be LGBT, after Iceland's Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and Belgium's Elio Di Rupo.

*The Supreme Court of India overrules the Delhi Court in re-establishing section 377 of the Indian penal code, once again making homosexual activity illegal.

*The Supreme Court of Australia overrules the Australian Capital Territory's law allowing same-sex marriage making any same-sex marriage annulled.

*The Parliament of Uganda approves the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill making homosexuality punishable by death or life in prison.
*The ban on same-sex couples applying to adopt children is lifted in Northern Ireland.

*U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby ruled that Utah's ban on gay marriage violates the due process and equal protection under the 14th Amendment for gay and lesbian couples, making same-sex marriage legal in Utah.

*Same-sex marriage becomes legalized statewide in New Mexico. 

And just for a little fun :)  - Celebrities that came out in 2013: 

1. Robin Roberts
2. Tom Daley (bisexual)
3. Bob Harper
4. Wentworth Miller
5. Maria Bello
6. Fred Rosser (Darren Young)
7. Raven Symone
8. Jason Collins
9. Matt Dallas
10. Jodie Foster
11. Andrew Scott
12. Clive Davis
13. Michelle Rodriguez (bisexual)
14. Charice
15. Robbie Rogers
16. Ben Whishaw
17. Lucas Cruikshank
18. Jenna Wolfe
19. Maulik Pancholy
20. Brian Boitano
21. Tuc Watkins

Despite the setbacks and letdowns in some places, overall I feel 2013 was a fairly good year for the LGBT Community. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of injustice and upsets, but for once it seems the amount of good that occurred for the community balanced out, or even outweighed, the bad.

2014 is beginning to give me hope  ;)

Happy New Year to you all. Thank you for all your support this last year! I hope this next year brings you all plenty of good and happy times.

Sad News In Australian Captial Territory

Earlier today some extremely disheartening news came out of Australia. The High Court has overturned the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Parliament's bill from October that made same-sex marriages legal.

The federal government claimed their reason for the overturn was that the bill was "inconsistent with federal laws". This refers to the federal law passed in 2004 that stated marriage was between a man and a woman. The ruling by the High Court was decided unanimously.

The bill just went into effect last weekend, but it was enough time for 27 couples to get married. Now those couples are facing their marriages becoming null and void.

Australian Christian Lobbyists claim keeping marriage between a man and a woman is "good for society and beneficial for governments to uphold in legislation." as well as insuring future generations can be raised by their biological parents. Frankly, I find this kind of talk complete nonsense. Marriage is about love not gender, and some kids are much better off away from biological parents with people that will actual love them and look out for them. Unfortunately, even though it's nearly 2014, not everyone seems to understand this way of thinking.

Thankfully, a large portion of Australians support same-sex marriage, many of which are part of the younger generations. This gives me hope that things will change for same-sex couples in Australia in the future.

Lots of love to those effected by this ridiculous nonsense.


XOXO


  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25344219

 

New Gender Option On German Birth Certificates

As of this month, Germany has become the first nation in Europe to issue birth certificates with third gender distinction.

This means parents who have children that are born with indeterminate genders will no longer be forced to choose between "male" or "female" gender options. They instead can decide to leave the gender space blank. This also allows the children to replace the blank with male, female, or neither once they are grown and have determined which gender they identify with.

This amendment to Germany's Civil Status Act was voted upon on May 7, 2013 by the German legislature. However, until recently, this amendment received little attention in the media. That changed when certain groups started to point out the legal change's shortcomings.

A German Family Law Journal, FarMZ, pointed out that those who choose the "blank" option will experience a host of bureaucratic headaches when traveling outside of Germany. It has been suggested that Germany use an "X" to designate third gender on its passports to make traveling a bit smoother.

This change seems to have mixed reviews. Some people don't think this is enough for Germany's third gender population. However, others applauded their effort and believe it will help make things easier for third gender citizens in the future. I believe this amendment will help bring awareness to other countries as well.

Not very many places in the world seem to acknowledge third gender citizens from any standpoint, much less a legal one, but Germany isn't the only country to start making a change this year alone. Earlier this year, Nepal started issuing third gender citizenship certificates. Additionally, Sweden instituted a third-gender pronoun, "hen". The term is used as an alternative to the masculine "han" or feminine "hon" and was added to the Swedish National Encyclopedia. In general, the concept of being third gender isn't easy for some to comprehend, but, the more it's talked about and acknowledged, the more people can be educated and the better things can get.

All over today's world, changes are being made for all kinds of sexual minorities. Some people might not see these changes as a big deal, but I think every change counts for the bigger picture. Even tiny changes help bring awareness and add equality to the world. 

National Coming Out Day

HAPPY NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY !!

(I know I posted about this last year, but I thought I'd do it again :) )

Today is October 11 which is observed as National Coming Out Day amongst the LGBT Community and it's allies. The day is a civil awareness day meant to celebrate and recognize those in the community that have come out, whether it's to themselves or to others, and to help raise awareness of the LGBT Community. Today, it is sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign with their National Coming Out Project, which offers resources to LGBT individuals, couples, parents, youth as well as straight friends and relatives that promote awareness of LGBT families living open and honest lives.

NCOD (National Coming Out Day) was founded in the US in 1988 by two men - Robert Eichberg, a psychologist from New Mexico and founder of the personal growth workshop called The Experience, and by Jean O'Leary, an openly gay political leader from Los Angeles and then head of the National Gay Rights Advocates.

The date was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. In it's first year, 18 states participated in recognizing NCOD and 21 states participated the second year. Due to a large media push, all 50 states, as well as 7 other countries, celebrated National Coming Out day by 1990. Also in 1990, NCOD merged their efforts with the Human Rights Campaign. In 1995, Candace Gingrich became the spokesperson for National Coming Out Day.

Today, NCOD is observed in the United States, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and many others.  

I came out as asexual to myself, and a few close others, in August 2012, but I didn't come out on this blog until February 2013. Some people might see coming out as ace less scary or worrisome then coming out as another orientation, but it was still hard for me and I still received negativity for it. No matter what your orientation is, telling other people, or even admitting it to yourself, can be a monumental yet frightening thing to do.

Never let anyone pressure you into coming out. Do it on your own time and at your own pace. You are all amazing in your own ways, and you should celebrate that.

xoxo <3 br="">

Bisexual Pride Day!

HAPPY BISEXUAL PRIDE DAY EVERYONE !! =D

Since 1999, September 23rd is recognized worldwide as Bisexual Pride (or Visibility) Day. It was first created by three US activists; Wendy Curry of Maine, Michael Page of Florida, and Gigi Raven Wilbur of Texas. The idea behind celebrating a day for just bisexuality was a response to bisexual prejudice in both the straight and LGBT communities.To date, Bisexual Pride Day has been recognized and celebrated in Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom besides the United States.  :)

Today isn't just for bisexuals either. It is also for those that fall under the bisexual "umbrella". This includes those that identify as fluid, queer, pansexual, omnisexual, heteroflexible, homoflexible, polysexual, and bi-curious as well as those that also fit under the asexual "umbrella" like biromantic, panromantic, omniromantic, bisensual, pansensual, and many more!

Since it appears like bisexuality isn't discussed as much as other orientations, this seems like a good time to remind people of something else that doesn't get discussed much.

Biphobia - aversion toward bisexuality and bisexual people.

We hear about homophobia, and even transphobia, fairly often, but it's rare to hear of biphobia in today's world. It's important to remember it does exist, and we need to work towards getting rid of it as much as we do other LGBT orientation phobias.
 
I really don't understand biphobia. Well, I don't understand prejudice towards any orientation, but biphobia truly perplexes me. To straight biphobes, if you are bi and with someone of the SAME gender then you don't belong in the straight community, but, to LGBT biphobes, if you are bi and with someone of the OPPOSITE gender then you don't belong in the LGBT Community. It's ridiculous! The way I see it, those that are bisexual are lucky since being bi just means you have more choices when it comes to finding someone to date or marry, and more of a chance to find someone you are compatible with. =) That isn't always easy nowadays.

Personally, it really bothers me when people are weary or uncomfortable having bi friends. Those that feel like that have some pretty lame excuses, like, if that person is attracted to the same gender that they identify as then they might hit on them, oh no!  .......ridiculous right? I think so too. My very best friend, B, is a bisexual girl. I have never felt like that was an issue. I've never thought she might take something the wrong way if I gave her a compliment or hugged her, nor have I ever felt like she was being more the a friend by doing the same. I love that girl like a sister, and I know she feels the same.

So If you have family or friends that identify as bisexual, or anything under the bisexual "umbrella", tell them you are proud of them and that you love them. If you bisexual, or under the bisexual "umbrella" - BE PROUD! You are amazing and awesome just as you are!

Love you all!
xoxo

LGBTQ Connect

Something pretty amazing is gearing up to happen this October in San Francisco, California. On October 7, the city will conduct an event called LGBTQ Connect. This event will help connect LGBTQ homeless people with the services they need in a one day walk-in convention. The services that will be provided include access medical, dental, employment, and housing services.

All over the United States, as well as the rest of the world, the number of homeless LGBTQ youth is steadily rising. However, in San Francisco the problem is even more dire because the homeless that are LGBTQ aren't just primarily youth. The numbers for homeless LGBTQ youth, adults, and even seniors are all high. It is approximated that 29% of the city's homeless identify as LGBTQ.

According to the Coalition for Homelessness's Jennifer Heidenbach, our nation needs more centers specializing in LGBTQ homeless. “What we get from this is that homelessness is a queer issue,” she said. “And when we look at our system, it’s not particularly gay-friendly.”

This convention is thought to be the first of it's kind in the nation and hopefully will inspire other cities to take action to help our LGBTQ homeless. This growing problem is something we need to take action and do something about.

The convention will take place October 7, 2013 at the LGBT Community Center - 1800 Market Street - from 10am to 3pm.
 

 

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/09/22/us-san-francisco-to-launch-its-first-ever-support-event-for-homeless-lgbt-people/