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Revision as of 21:28, 30 October 2010

Events

February

• 2 – The United States Tax Court rules in O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner that taxpayers may deduct the medical costs associated with treating gender identity disorder from their federal income taxes.

March

• 2 – The European Court of Human Rights rules unanimously against "a blanket exclusion of persons living in a homosexual relationship from succession to a tenancy" in Kozak v. Poland.
• 3 – Marriage licenses become available to same-sex couples in the District of Columbia and marriages begin on March 9.
• 4 – Mexico City's same-sex marriage and adoption laws come into effect. This follows twenty-two couples' taking part in a symbolic marriage ceremony in Tlaxcala on February 26 to highlight the issue.

• 11 – Australia becomes the first country in the world to recognise a "non-specified" gender, when the New South Wales Government recognises norrie mAy-Welby as being neither male or female—as hormonally, psychologically and physically zhe was neither male or female. Referred to as "zhe" (rather than she/he) and "hir" (rather than her/his), Norrie began male-to-female reassignment when zhe was 23, but felt "uncomfortable living solely as a woman."

• 16 – Norrie May-Welby's recognition as neither male nor female is canceled by Australian authorities after the story hits international headlines. May-Welby is forced to choose a gender.

• 31 – The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts a recommendation on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

April

• 16 — Arkansas Circuit Court Judge Chris Piazza strikes down the state's ban on adoption by couples cohabitating outside of a marriage that was legally recognized by the state. Voters had passed the ban in 2008.
• 29 – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopts a resolution and a recommendation on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

May

• 5 – the Argentine Chamber of Deputies passes a same-sex marriage bill, also allowing same-sex couples to adopt, by a vote of 125 to 109.
• 17 – Amid controversy, same-sex marriage in Portugal is legalized, although adoption is ruled out. This makes Portugal the second Catholic-majority country and the eighth country in the world to have legalized same-sex marriage.
• 18 – Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza are convicted in a Malawian court or having committed "unnatural offenses" and "indecent practices between males" under sections 153 and 156 of Malawi's criminal code after local newspapers reported that they had participated in a public same-sex chinkhoswe, or engagement ceremony. Monjeza, who identifies as male, and Chimbalanga, a transgender person who identifies as female, are each sentenced to 14 years hard labour on May 20, but are pardoned by President Bingu wa Mutharika following international pressure and an appeal from United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

June

• 2 – United States President Barack Obama issues a memorandum ordering federal departments and agencies to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples to the extent permitted by the Defense of Marriage Act.
• 24 – The European Court of Human Rights issues a ruling in Schalk and Kopf vs. Austria; the court unanimously finds that a State not legislating for, or recognising, same-sex marriage is not in violation of Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). By four votes to three, it rules that the non-recognition of same-sex relationships before 2010 is not in violation of the ECHR.
• 27 – Same-sex marriage in Iceland is legalized and Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and her spouse Jónína Leósdóttir are among the first to make use of the law.
• 28 – The Supreme Court of the United States rules in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez that public universities may refuse to recognise student organizations with discriminatory membership policies.

July

• 1 – The Dail Éireann of Ireland passes the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 without a vote.
• 6 – On the last possible day to act, Hawaii governor Linda Lingle vetoes Hawaii House Bill 444, which would have established civil unions for same-sex couples in that state.
• 7 – The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, in HJ and HT v Home Secretary, rules that the asylum claims of two men based on their fear of being persecuted in their home countries (Iran and Cameroon) because of their homosexuality may not be denied on the basis of their ability to conceal their homosexuality, the so-called "discretion test."
• 8

• United States district court judge Joseph L. Tauro rules in two cases that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. In Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. United States Department of Health and Human Services Tauro finds that the definition of marriage enacted by Congress for federal purposes violates the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and "encroaches upon the firmly entrenched province of the state" by treating some couples with Massachusetts marriage licenses differently than others. In Gill v. Office of Personnel Management brought by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, he finds the law violates the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
• The Seanad Éireann of Ireland passes the civil partnership bill by 48 votes to 4, completing its passage through the Oireachtas.

• 13 – Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America opens in California. The suit, brought by an LGBT Republican organization, challenges the constitutionality of the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" law that excludes openly homosexual people from serving in the military.
• 15 – The Argentine Senate passes the same-sex marriage bill and President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner states she will not block the bill from becoming law. Same-sex marriages will be allowed only for citizens or permanent residents of Argentina.
• 19

• The United Nations Economic and Social Council votes to accredit International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as a non-governmental organization granted consultative status, allowing IGLHRC to attend UN meetings, contribute statements and collaborate with UN agencies.
• President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, signs the civil partnership bill into law, creating a form of civil union for same sex couples with most of the rights and duties of marriage, except that civil partners may not adopt or jointly be guardians of a child. The act also provides rights for participants in long-term cohabiting relationships who have not entered into a civil partnership or marriage.

• 21 – Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner signs the same-sex marriage bill. Argentina becomes the tenth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
• 22

• Seven same-sex couples in Montana file a lawsuit against the state. The suit contends that even though Montana has a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage, the state constitution's guarantees of privacy, dignity, and the pursuit of life's basic necessities and its guarantees of equal protection and due process require the state to offer same-sex couples the same rights and protections it offers to mixed-sex couples through marriage.
• The European Court of Human Rights holds in P.B. and J.S. v. Austria that lack of access to insurance for same-sex couples on equal terms with other marriages violates the ECHR.

• 26 – The New Jersey Supreme Court turns away a case filed by six same-sex couples. The couples argue that the state's civil union law does not provide all of the benefits of marriage and that since the state legislature failed to enact marriage equality the court should order it. The case must go through the lower courts first.
• 29 – The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal file Young v. Lingle in Hawaii on behalf of six same-sex couples. The suit, while acknowledging that the state has the constitutional authority to limit marriage to mixed-sex couples, asserts that the state constitution mandates that same-sex couples be accorded equal treatment.

August

• 4 – In Perry v. Schwarzenegger, District Judge Vaughn R. Walker rules that Proposition 8, the state constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage, violates the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution. He rules that there is no rational basis for singling out same-sex couples for denial of marriage licenses.
• 5 – The Supreme Court of Mexico rules that Mexico City's same-sex marriage law is constitutional.
• 9 – A judge in New Mexico rules that a marriage license issued to a lesbian couple in 2004 is valid; he does not rule on the broader constitutional question.
• 10 — the Supreme Court of Mexico rules that same-sex marriages contracted in Mexico City must be recognized throughout Mexico, although no other state is required to perform them.
• 11 – The Supreme Court of Costa Rica stops a referendum on recognition of same-sex civil unions, ruling that only the legislative assembly can decide the issue.
• 16

• The Supreme Court of Mexico rules that it is unconstitutional to bar married same-sex couples from adopting children.
• The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issues an emergency stay in Perry v. Schwarzenegger without explanation. Same-sex marriages had been set to resume August 18 under Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling. The court schedules expedited arguments for the week of December 6.

• 17 – The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany rules that the surviving partners of registered partnerships are entitled to the same inheritance tax laws as the survivors of marriages. Surviving marital partners previously paid 7—30% inheritance tax while surviving registered partners paid 17—50%.
• 31 — The Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas, Texas reverses a 2009 ruling in a same-sex divorce case, ruling that the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The court further rules that district courts in Texas do not have subject-matter jurisdiction to hear same-sex divorce cases.

September

• 9 — Judge Virginia A. Phillips of the United States District Court for the Central District of California rules in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy violates the Fifth and First Amendments to the United States Constitution.
• 13 — Chief of the Defence Force of Australia, Angus Houston, issues an order lifting the ban on transgender personnel.
• 21

• New York Governor David Paterson signs a bill into law allowing unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, to adopt children. The new law also replaces the term "husband and wife" with the gender-neutral "married couple."
• In response to a recent rash of suicides by teenagers who were bullied about being gay, advice columnist Dan Savage and his husband Terry launch the It Gets Better Project, a YouTube channel to allow people who survived being bullied to share their stories.

• 22 — In In re: Gill, a three-judge panel of the Florida Third District Court of Appeal unanimously strikes down the state's ban on gay and lesbian people as adoptive parents as violating the equal protection clause of the Florida Constitution. The state decides not to appeal.
• 24 — A Washington judge rules in Witt v. Department of the Air Force that Major Margaret Witt, discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, must be reinstated in the Air Force.
• 29 — Tasmania passes a bill recognizing legal same-sex marriages performed outside Tasmania.

October

• 12

• The United States Department of Justice files notices of appeal in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management and Massachusetts v. United States Department of Health and Human Services, in each of which section three of the Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional.
• Judge Virginia A. Phillips issues a worldwide permanent injunction against the enforcement of "don't ask, don't tell" in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America.

• 19 — The Pentagon orders military recruiters that pursuant to the injunction they must begin accepting gay applicants. A number of previously discharged veterans, including Dan Choi and a California member of the Log Cabin Republicans, immediately seek to re-enlist.
• 20 — Judge Phillips denies the Justice Department's request for a stay of her injunction against "don't ask, don't tell" enforcement. The DoJ files a request for an emergency stay with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit issues the stay. The Pentagon issues stricter guidelines for DADT enforcement.
• 25 — The United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejects a lawsuit filed by San Francisco Catholics seeking to force the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to rescind a 2006 non-binding resolution condemning the Catholic Church's policy of not placing children with same-sex couples for adoption.

See also

• Timeline of LGBT history — timeline of events from 12,000 BCE to present
• LGBT rights by country or territory — current legal status around the world
• LGBT social movements

References

1. O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner, 134 T.C. No. 4 (United States Tax Court 2010-02-02).
2. ECtHR Chamber judgment in Kozak v. Poland No. 13102/02
3. Gresko, Jessica (March 3, 2010). "Same-sex marriage becomes legal in DC". Associated Press. Google News. Archived from the original on March 3, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
4. Holman, John (2010-03-06). "Anger at Mexico's gay marriage law". Al Jazeera.net. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
5. Jane Fae (11 March 2010). "Australia is first to recognise 'non-specified' gender". Pink News. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
6. Dow, Steve (2010-06-27). "Neither man nor woman". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
7. "Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity". Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
8. State judge overturns Ark. adoption ban law The Associated Press 2010
9. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Resolution 1728 (2010)
10. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Recommendation 1915 (2010)
11. "Lower House approves gay marriage". momento24.com. 2010-05-05.
12. Bolcer, Julie (2010-05-04). "Argentina's Lower House OKs Marriage Bill". The Advocate.
13. Portugal set to approve same-sex marriage; adoption ruled out
14. "Gay couple convicted in Malawi faces 14-year term". Reuters. May 18, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
15. "Malawi pardons jailed gay couple". BBC. 2010-05-29. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
16. "Memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies: Extension of benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees" (Press release). The White House Office of the Press Secretary. 2010-06-02.
17. ECtHR Chamber judgment in Schalk and Kopf v. Austria No. 30141/04
18. "PM Marries with New Marital Law". Iceland Review Online. 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
19. Simmerman, John (2010-06-28, updated 2010-06-29), High Court favors UC law school over anti-gay Christian student group in constitutional clash, retrieved 2010-07-25 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
20. "Civil Partnership Bill passes through Dáil". RTÉ. 11 July 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
21. Roig, Suzanne (07-07-2010). "Hawaii Governor Vetoes Civil-Unions Bill". Time. Retrieved 2010-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper= (help)
22. HJ and HT v Home Secretary, UKSC 31 (Supreme Court of the United Kingdom 2010-07-07).
23. Keen, Lisa (2010-07-08). "DOMA decisions released". Bay Windows. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
24. Goodnough, Abby (2010-07-08). "Judge Topples U.S. Rejection of Gay Unions". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-07-09. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
25. "Civil Partnership Bill passes the Seanad". RTÉ News. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
26. Woods, Daniel (07-12-2010). "Log Cabin's Opening Statement". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2010-07-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
27. "Argentina gives gay couples right to marry". Evening Standard. 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
28. Warren, Michael (July 15, 2010). "Argentina legalizes gay marriage in historic vote". Associated Press. Google News. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
29. Lederer, Edith M (2010-07-19). "US gay rights group gets UN accreditation". Associated Press. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
30. "Civil Partnership Bill signed into law". The Irish Times. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
31. Advocate contributors (07-21-2010). "Marriage Bill Signed in Buenos Aires". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2010-07-22. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
32. Garcia, Michelle (2010-07-22). "Gay Montana Couples Sue State". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
33. ECtHR Chamber judgment in P.B. and J.S. v. Austria No. 18984/02
34. Friedman, Matt (2010-07-26). "N.J. Supreme Court declines gay marriage case filed by six same-sex couples". NJ.com. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
35. Advocate.com editors (2010-07-29). "Gay couples sue Hawaii". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2010-07-29. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
36. Advocate.com editors (2010-08-04). "Breaking: Prop. 8 Overturned". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2010-08-04. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
37. Advocate.com editors (2010-08-05). "Gay Marriage Upheld in Mexico City". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
38. Sharpe, Tom (2010-08-09). "Judge: No easy way out for same-sex couple". The New Mexican. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
39. Advocate.com editors (2010-08-10). "Marriage Equality Win in Mexico". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2010-08-10. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
40. "Costa Rica Court Rejects Vote on Same-Sex Civil Unions". Voice of America Online. 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
41. "Costa Rica court rejects vote on gay civil unions". Philippine Daily Inquirer Online. 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
42. Cancino, Fabiola (2010-08-16). "Nueve ministros a favor de la adopción en matrimonios gay" (in Spanish). CNN México. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
43. Advocate.com editors (2010-08-16). "Ninth Circuit: Marriages on Hold". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2010-08-16. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
44. "German court: gay couples entitled to equal treatment on inheritance tax". The Canadian Press. Associated Press. 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
45. Levitz, David (2010-08-17). "Germany's gay couples to receive equal inheritance tax rights". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
46. Appleton, Roy (2010-08-31). "Dallas judge's ruling saying gay couple could divorce in Texas rejected on appeal". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
47. In the Matter of the Marriage of J.B. and H.B. Docket No. 05-09-01170-CV (Tex. App.-Dallas, 2010)
48. Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America (United States District Court for the Central District of California 2010-09-09).
49. Dennett, Harley (2010-09-15). "Let them serve: Defence drops ban on transgender soldiers". Crikey. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
50. "NY law lets unmarried adults jointly adopt". The Associated Press via The Boston Herald. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
51. "NY law lets unmarried adults jointly adopt". Associated Press. 2010-09-21. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
52. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/19video.html
53. Marbin Miller, Carol (2010-09-22). "Appeals court: Florida ban on gay adoption unconstitutional". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2010-09-22.
54. Fla. Gay Adoption Ban No More
55. Johnson, Gene (Associated Press) (September 24, 2010). "Judge orders lesbian reinstated to Air Force - Case challenges 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy". MSNBC. www.msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
56. "Tasmania to recognise same-sex marriage". ABC News. 2010-09-27. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
57. http://advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/10/12/DOJ_Files_Notice_of_Appeal_in_DOMA/
58. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101012/ap_on_re_us/us_gays_in_military
59. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101019/ap_on_re_us/us_gays_in_military_recruiting
60. http://advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/10/19/Lt_Dan_Choi_to_Reenlist/
61. http://sdgln.com/news/2010/10/19/breaking-news-former-marine-discharged-under-dadt-tries-re-enlist-el-cajon
62. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/20/dont.ask.dont.tell/index.html?hpt=T1
63. Don't Ask, Don't Tell back in force after appeals court issues stay
64. Gates Issues Stricter Rules for Discharge of Gay Troops
65. Court rejects suit over S.F.'s blast at Vatican

• Years in LGBT rights
• 2010 in LGBT history