2004: GAYS MADE PROGRESS
A new report weighing the effects of anti-gay measures nationwide against the positive ones has concluded that 2004 wasn't that bad after all.
The report was prepared by the Human Rights Campaign. It shows that on a variety of fronts - from family rights to workplace protections - there has been consistent progress made in obtaining LGBT legal rights, in spite of reports characterizing last November’s election as a ‘backlash.’
“Even with the setbacks at the end of last year, we’ve seen more progress in the past 12 months than we’ve seen in any other year since 1992,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese .
“In spite of the best political maneuverings of those on the ultra-right, there is undeniable progress across the spectrum from family rights to workplace protections to rising polling — hearts, minds and laws are slowly changing for the best.”
The report showed, among other things, that 14 state legislatures defeated anti-gay constitutional amendments in 2004 (compared to the 13 states where these measures passed) and six state legislatures have defeated them already in 2005.
Two states, Connecticut and Maryland, legislatively approved civil unions and domestic partner benefits, respectively. Two other states are considering legislation granting rights to same-sex couples this year so far - California is debating a marriage bill, and Oregon a civil unions measure.
Four state legislatures have passed or strengthened workplace protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees: Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois and Maine.
In addition, polling on election day last November showed that a high-water mark of 60 percent of the country supports either marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples, the report says. Similar polling in Massachusetts and New Jersey has shown that a majority of residents in those states favor marriage equality.
“Clearly, we still have a long way to go,” said Solmonese. “But the American people over time always value fairness over discrimination, and we continue to see that dynamic play out all across the country.”
The report was prepared by the Human Rights Campaign. It shows that on a variety of fronts - from family rights to workplace protections - there has been consistent progress made in obtaining LGBT legal rights, in spite of reports characterizing last November’s election as a ‘backlash.’
“Even with the setbacks at the end of last year, we’ve seen more progress in the past 12 months than we’ve seen in any other year since 1992,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese .
“In spite of the best political maneuverings of those on the ultra-right, there is undeniable progress across the spectrum from family rights to workplace protections to rising polling — hearts, minds and laws are slowly changing for the best.”
The report showed, among other things, that 14 state legislatures defeated anti-gay constitutional amendments in 2004 (compared to the 13 states where these measures passed) and six state legislatures have defeated them already in 2005.
Two states, Connecticut and Maryland, legislatively approved civil unions and domestic partner benefits, respectively. Two other states are considering legislation granting rights to same-sex couples this year so far - California is debating a marriage bill, and Oregon a civil unions measure.
Four state legislatures have passed or strengthened workplace protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees: Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois and Maine.
In addition, polling on election day last November showed that a high-water mark of 60 percent of the country supports either marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples, the report says. Similar polling in Massachusetts and New Jersey has shown that a majority of residents in those states favor marriage equality.
“Clearly, we still have a long way to go,” said Solmonese. “But the American people over time always value fairness over discrimination, and we continue to see that dynamic play out all across the country.”
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 9:42 PM.
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Byso gays have made progress over the years what about the law that is in texas(where I live) that states that sex between two men is Illegal and is punishable by up to 6 mounth in jail and or a fine up to 5000$! but it is Legal for a man to have sex with his sheep and and it is also Legal for a man to wed his sister or mother
By
Oh and if anybody needs proof about this law visit a web site called worthlessfacts.com and it will give you any further information that that you may need
By
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that sodomy laws are unconstitutional on June 26, 2003.
This case was Lawrence v. The State of Texas. All sodomy laws in the US are now unconstitutional and unenforceable when applied to non-commercial consenting adults in private.
Here is the U.S. Supreme Court Decision:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/02pdf/02-102.pdf
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