2009 was Actually a Good Gay Year

Regardless of the setbacks, the frustration and overreactions, the HRC points out that 2009 was the best year for LGBT rights.

HRC prez, Joe Solmonese said:

“While the road is never easy, we look ahead to 2010 with renewed dedication in the fight for equality. We will continue to work closely with state LGBT groups and our allies to secure these much-needed advancements. As the midterm elections heat up, we must remain focused on the many state legislators who stood with us by continuing to support them and also remember those who stood in the way.”

Also here are a few summaries:

Marriage equality: The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of marriage equality earlier this year with support from both the Iowa House and Senate for preserving the ruling. New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont legislatures voted in favor of same-sex marriage in 2009. In Maine, marriage equality was passed in both chambers and signed into law by the Governor, only to be lost by a small margin at the ballot. The Council of the District of Columbia voted to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages and swiftly followed with a law allowing same-sex marriage within the District which will take effect in spring 2010.

Relationship Recognition: Washington and Nevada passed laws to grant equal benefits to domestic partners in an “everything but marriage” framework. Colorado and Wisconsin passed their very first laws affording various protections to same-sex couples including estate planning, hospital visitation, and family leave, with the possibility of expanding the protection to include other benefits in the future. While the New York Senate rejected marriage equality, the highest court in New York ruled that the state can continue to recognize marriage of same-sex couples performed out of state.

Please stop by the HRC website for the full report