2007 in LGBT rights

Events

January

* January 1
** Registered partnerships came into effect in Switzerland.
** Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations came into effect in Northern Ireland
* January 12 — The Mexican state of Coahuila becomes the first state to approve same-sex civil unions in Mexico after a similar measure in Mexico City past November.

February

* February 28 equal age of consent law comes into force in Jersey (a UK territory).

March

* March 17 The Soulforce Equality Ride visits 32 schools in the United States that ban enrollment of openly LGBT students
* March 27
** A group of 29 human rights experts including 7 UN Special Rapporteurs and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights releases [http://www.yogyakartaprinciples.org/principles_en.htm Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity]

April

* April 10: The legislature of the state of Washington passed S5336, giving final approval to domestic partnership legislation, which would give same-sex couples many state rights of marriage, but does not legalise gay marriage nor civil unions.

* April 26: The legislature of the state of New Hampshire passed legislation for civil unions, which give same-sex couples many state rights of marriage, but does not legalise gay marriage.

* April 30: Regulations covering the provision of goods, facilities and services, outlawing discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation enter into force in Great Britain.

May

* May 8: Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) reintroduce the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) (H.R.2221 & S.1328) in the U.S. Congress. [U.S. House. 110th Congress, 1st Session. H.R. 2221, Uniting American Families Act of 2007. ONLINE. Thomas. Available: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02221:/ [8 May 2007] .] [U.S. Senate. 110th Congress, 1st Session. S. 1328, Uniting American Families Act of 2007. ONLINE. Thomas. Available: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:S01328:/ [8 May 2007] .]
* May 9: Oregon bans discrimination based on sexual orientation (which is defined to include gender identity) in the private sector. [ [http://www.stoel.com/showalert.aspx?Show=2403 Labor and Employment Law Alert: Oregon Adopts Sexual Orientation Nondiscrimination and Domestic Partnership Legislation ] ]
* May 17: Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, a Democrat, issues an executive order banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the public sector. [ [http://www.governor.ohio.gov/News/May2007/News51707/tabid/280/Default.aspx Budget & Management ] ]
* May 22: Vermont bans gender identity discrimination in the private sector. [ [http://hr.blr.com/news.aspx?id=75995 Vermont Bans Gender Identity Discrimination ] ]
* May 24: Jenny Bailey becomes the first transsexual mayor in the United Kingdom.
* May 25:
** Colorado bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the private sector. [ [http://cms.pridedepot.com/modules/wordpress/?p=994 PrideDEPOT.com - Everybody Has A Right ] ]
** Iowa bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the private sector. [ [http://cms.pridedepot.com/modules/wordpress/?p=994 PrideDEPOT.com - Everybody Has A Right ] ]

June

* June 1 South Australian registered partnership law comes into force.

August

* August 9: The first ever LGBT issues forum debate is hosted by the Logo cable channel. Only six presidential candidates from the Democratic Party participate in the event and discuss it.Fact|date=September 2007
* August 31: Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, issues an executive order banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the public sector.

November

* November 21: Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, issues an executive order prohibiting employment discrimination based on gender identity or expression in the public sector.
* November 29: Uruguay becomes the first Latin American country to pass a national civil union law.

December

* December 17 - Civil partnerships for same-sex couples in HungaryOn December 17, 2007 the Parliament adopted the registered partnership bill submitted by the MSZP-SZDSZ Government. Starting from January 1, 2009 same sex couples can enter into registered partnership. The law gives the same rights to registered partners as to spouses except for adoption.

Births

*

Deaths

* February 18 - Barbara Gittings, 75, American gay rights campaigner, breast cancer.
* May 15 - Yolanda Denise King, activist for civil rights, gay rights (b. 1955) [ "Remembering Yolanda King: Activist for civil rights, gay rights, dies at 51" (news), Jason A. Michael, Pride Source, 2007, webpage: [http://www.pridesource.com/rssarticle.shtml?article=25348 PS] .]
* May 25 - Charles Nelson Reilly, 76, American gay film, television and stage actor, comedian and director
* November 29 - Jane Rule, 76, author and pioneer in lesbian fiction. Died from complications of liver cancer. (b. 1931)

See also

* Timeline of LGBT history.
* Table of years in LGBT rights.
* 1925 in LGBT rights - 1934 in LGBT rights
* 1943 in LGBT rights - 1969 in LGBT rights (Stonewall)
* 1980 in LGBT rights - 1990 in LGBT rights.

Notes