The new millennium has been a boon for LGBT rights

The new millennium has been a boon for LGBT rights

At a glance, it may seem that 2009 was anything but a banner year for LGBT rights. Voters in every state with same-sex marriage on the ballot voted against us, and federal laws still don’t recognize same-sex marriages in the handful of states where it is legal.

‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ has yet to be repealed, and foreign partners of American citizens are not allowed to immigrate to the United States as spouses.

Many LGBT Americans are frustrated that Barack Obama hasn’t done more to ensure equal rights for our community. Others say the 44th President has his hands full with a struggling economy and two inherited wars. Whatever your view of the president’s first year, the state of LGBT rights can appear pretty bleak at a glance.

But, things actually aren’t as bad as they seem, especially if you look at advances in a historical context. According to the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks trends in the LGBT movement for equality, the first decade of the millennium has been stellar for LGBTs and their families.

“The remarkable achievements toward LGBT equality tend to be obscured by day-to-day struggles, and overall progress often goes unnoticed nationally” says Linda Bush, executive director of the organization. “By looking broadly at the last decade [we get] a much fuller perspective on where we are today—and how far we’ve come in just ten years.”

According to the MAP study, LGBT rights in the United States are advancing at an exceptional rate when compared to civil rights struggles spanning the past five decades. Since 2000, the number of states outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation increased 83 percent, from 12 to 22.

And in 2000, not one single state recognized same-sex marriage. At the close of 2009, six states do so, and they may soon be joined by our nation’s capitol of Washington, D.C.

Those major changes over the past decade should be encouraging, according to Matt Foreman, a director of the National Haas Jr. Fund’s gay and immigrant rights programs.

“While enormous and heart-wrenching inequities remain,” Foreman says, “progress over the last 10 years has been extraordinary.”

Even more significant changes occurred in transgender equality. According to Bush, only one state in 2000 outlawed discrimination based on gender identity and expression. In 2009, 14 states had laws protecting transgender individuals.

“That represents nearly 30% of the population,” Bush says. “The percentage of Fortune 500 companies that protect workers based on gender identity jumped even more, from just .6% to 35%.”

The home front
The State of Florida is consistently labeled as one of the more conservative states in the union. In 2008, Amendment 2 prohibiting the recognition of same-sex marriages or any equivalent passed with 63% of the vote. We are also the only state in the country that bans gay men and lesbians from adopting children based solely on sexual orientation.

But those “big ticket items” don’t actually offer enough insight into the ongoing battle for LGBT equality in Florida during the past year.

Scroll_960172411.jpgIn 2009, activism stayed just as strong as it was in 2008, with people taking to the streets and even marching on Tallahassee to speak with representatives about LGBT equality. When California’s Supreme Court upheld voters’ decision to outlaw same-sex marriage, communities throughout the country—and the state—rallied in opposition. The battle seemed to be ongoing in 2009.

According to Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith, it’s a battle we’re winning.
“As the year ends we can celebrate victories in Gainesville, Tampa, Dunedin, Miami Beach, Polk County, Tallahassee, Broward County and St Pete, among others,” Smith says.

Those communities added sexual orientation and/or gender identity to their respective Human Rights Ordinances this year. In all, 15 communities added LGBT anti-discrimination policies to their existing laws.

Smith also sees victory in elections across the state in 2009. According to her, 75% of the candidates endorsed by Equality Florida’s Action group made it into office. This includes several openly gay representatives, counting St. Petersburg City Council member Steve Kornell.

“We also soundly defeated a right-wing campaign to remove sexual orientation and gender identity from Gainesville’s human rights ordinance,” Smith says. “And we fought back against other right wing attacks. We decimated Buju Banton’s homophobic concert tour of Florida and staged massive protests to NBC Tampa’s anti-gay programming.”

In the State of Florida, things are actually improving for LGBT residents, Smith says. But 2010 could be an even better year if voters pay attention.

“Many see 2010 as the biggest statewide election year in Florida’s history,” Smith says. “Every statewide seat will change hands this year.”

Smith says Equality Florida will provide information on candidates to highlight their stances on LGBT issues.

Opportunities for 2010
The next year could be a historic one for LGBTs in Florida. According to Equality Florida, fair adoption could be a reality by the holidays next year thanks to two ground-breaking court decisions in 2009 that challenged the state’s ban on adoption by gay people. Sen. Nan Rich (D-Miami) has once again brought a bill to Tallahassee in hopes of overturning the adoption ban, in place since the 1970s.

While encouraging, Smith warns that far-right activists are prepared for a fight in 2010.

“We must prepare now to protect a successful outcome in the courts or continue our efforts to pursue a legislative repeal of the ban,” Smith says. “We must also work to ensure that the far right cannot use another Florida ballot measure to add this hateful ban to our constitution.”

Another possible reality of 2010 is to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s existing anti-discrimination laws. An increasing number of cities and communities across Florida have already added the protections, and attaining those protections on a state level is highly possible in the next year.

Many changes that could occur however, are directly linked to the 2010 elections. Florida will vote for a new governor, chief financial officer and attorney general. Residents will also select every member of the Florida Senate and the Florida House.

With the accomplishments of 2009 securely behind us, Smith is optimistic about the future, but wants LGBTs to understand the hard work involved.

“These successes have not come easily or quickly,” she says. “They are the results of our building and carrying out long-term plans and making serious investments in grassroots organizing.”

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