2003 in LGBTQ rights

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Last updated October 27, 2024

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBTQ rights that took place in the year 2003.

Events

The US state of California bans gender identity discrimination in the private sector.^[1]
The US state of New Mexico bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the private sector.^[2]
Publication of Louis Crompton's 648-page, world-spanning study Homosexuality & Civilization by Harvard University Press. ( ISBN 0-674-01197-X)

January

30 — In Belgium, legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry becomes active. Because of Belgian requirements for marriage, it will take until June before the first same-sex marriages are actually performed. The legal rights are not completely equal to opposite-sex marriage because couples lack adoption rights.

March

13 — In the United States, The Census Bureau releases figures showing that 34.3 percent of households headed by lesbian couples, and 22.3 percent of those headed by gay male couples are raising children. The report also shows that 99.3 percent of counties in the U.S. have households headed by same-sex couples.^[3]
24 — New Mexico governor Bill Richardson signs the New Mexico Hate Crimes Act, establishing enhanced penalties for hate crimes, including anti-gay hate crimes.

May

21 — Marilyn Musgrave, U.S. congresswoman from Colorado, introduces the Federal Marriage Amendment in the country's House of Representatives with 108 co-sponsors.
28 — Rick Perry, governor of the U.S. state of Texas, signs the Texas Defense of Marriage Act. The act allows Texas to deny recognition of same-sex marriages and other forms of same-sex partnerships performed in other states.
30 — Paul E. Patton, governor of the U.S. state of Kentucky, signs an executive order banning public-sector discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.^[4]

June

10 — The United States Department of Justice reverses an earlier decision banning the annual employee gay pride event.
10 — Michael Stark and Michael Leshner are wed in Ontario, becoming the first legal same-sex marriage in Canada.
18 — Canadian province of Ontario appeals court rules that civil same-sex marriages will be recognized as valid by the government, making Canada the first country in the Americas to honor legal same-sex marriage.
21 — Janet Napolitano, governor of the U.S. state of Arizona, issues an executive order banning sexual orientation discrimination in the public sector.^[5]
26 — The Supreme Court of the United States strikes down all remaining US state sodomy laws in Lawrence v. Texas .
27 — In its first application of the Lawrence precedent, the Supreme Court vacates the Kansas Supreme Court's decision in Limon v. Kansas.^[6]^[7]

July

2 — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. adds "sexual orientation" to its corporate non-discrimination policy.
28 — Ed Rendell, governor of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, issues an executive order banning gender identity discrimination in the public sector.^[8]
30 — George W. Bush, president of the United States, says he supports "codifying marriage in the United States as being between one man and one woman."
31 — Jerrold Nadler, U.S. congressman from New York, reintroduces the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R 832) in the U.S. House of Representatives.^[9] Patrick Leahy, U.S. senator from Vermont, also introduces the proposal as S. 1510 in the U.S. Senate.^[10]

August

United Nations Human Rights Committee decides the case Young v. Australia, concerning pension rights of surviving partner.^[11]

September

18 — The bill to repeal Section 28 in the remaining parts United Kingdom (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) receives Royal Assent. Section 28 had already been repealed within Scotland in 2000. The UK repeal became active on November 18.

October

27 — Statistics from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation show that 16.7 percent of hate crimes committed in the country in 2002 were due to bias against the victim's perceived sexual orientation, the highest rate in the 12 years federal records have been kept.
29 — A Human Rights Campaign study shows 60 percent of American adoption agencies accept applications from gay and lesbian couples and 40 percent claim to have placed children in homes headed by same-sex couples.

November

15 — Canadian politician Ted Nebbeling marries his partner of 32 years in what is believed to be the first same-sex marriage of a cabinet minister.
18
- In Goodridge v. Department of Public Health , the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court declares that a ban on same-sex marriage in Massachusetts is unconstitutional. It's the first such decision by a U.S. state's highest court.^[12]
- Repeal of Section 28 becomes effective in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
20 — The United States Congress passes a resolution condemning all violations of internationally recognized human rights norms based on the real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual.
26
- In the United Kingdom, the Queen's Speech, which gives the government's program of legislation for the year ahead, includes a bill to allow Civil Partnerships for same-sex couples.
- In the United States Senate, the Federal Marriage Amendment is introduced by Wayne Allard of Colorado, Sam Brownback of Kansas, Jim Bunning of Kentucky, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, and Jeff Sessions of Alabama.

December

1 — In the United Kingdom, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 are introduced, making discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual employees unlawful. However, the regulations do not apply to pension rights or to employees of religious organisations.
6 — Houston, Texas, city councilmember Annise Parker defeats fellow councilmember Bruce Tatro as Houston's first lesbian city controller.
23 — Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm signs an executive order banning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.^[13]

Deaths

January 19 — Morris Kight, 83, gay rights activist
January 22 — Sarah Pettit, 36, co-founder of Out magazine
December 10 — Bob Ross, 69, founder and publisher of the Bay Area Reporter
December 25 — Jim Osgood, 71, gay rights advocate and leader of Mattachine Midwest ^[14]

Related Research Articles

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBTQ rights that took place in the year 2000.

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 1999.

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBTQ rights that took place in the year 2005.

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBTQ rights that took place in the year 2007.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of New Hampshire enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people, with most advances in LGBT rights occurring in the state within the past two decades. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in New Hampshire, and the state began offering same-sex couples the option of forming a civil union on January 1, 2008. Civil unions offered most of the same protections as marriages with respect to state law, but not the federal benefits of marriage. Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire has been legally allowed since January 1, 2010, and one year later New Hampshire's civil unions expired, with all such unions converted to marriages. New Hampshire law has also protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation since 1998 and gender identity since 2018. Additionally, a conversion therapy ban on minors became effective in the state in January 2019. In effect since January 1, 2024, the archaic common-law "gay panic defence" was formally abolished; by legislation implemented within August 2023.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Wyoming may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Wyoming since 1977, and same-sex marriage was legalized in the state in October 2014. Wyoming statutes do not address discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBTQ people is illegal under federal law. In addition, the cities of Jackson, Casper, and Laramie have enacted ordinances outlawing discrimination in housing and public accommodations that cover sexual orientation and gender identity.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Michigan enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Michigan in June 2024 was ranked "the most welcoming U.S. state for LGBT individuals". Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Michigan under the U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy law. Same-sex marriage was legalised in accordance with 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges decision. Discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity is unlawful since July 2022, was re-affirmed by the Michigan Supreme Court - under and by a 1976 statewide law, that explicitly bans discrimination "on the basis of sex". The Michigan Civil Rights Commission have also ensured that members of the LGBT community are not discriminated against and are protected in the eyes of the law since 2018 and also legally upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court in 2022. In March 2023, a bill passed the Michigan Legislature by a majority vote - to formally codify both "sexual orientation and gender identity" anti-discrimination protections embedded within Michigan legislation. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill on March 16, 2023. In 2024, Michigan repealed “the last ban on commercial surrogacy within the US” - for individuals and couples and reformed the parentage laws, that acknowledges same sex couples and their families with children.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Delaware enjoy the same legal protections as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Delaware since January 1, 1973. On January 1, 2012, civil unions became available to same-sex couples, granting them the "rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities" of married persons. Delaware legalized same-sex marriage on July 1, 2013.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Minnesota have the same legal rights as non-LGBTQ people. Minnesota became the first U.S. state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in 1993, protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in the fields of employment, housing, and public accommodations. In 2013, the state legalized same-sex marriage, after a bill allowing such marriages was passed by the Minnesota Legislature and subsequently signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton. This followed a 2012 ballot measure in which voters rejected constitutionally banning same-sex marriage.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of New Jersey have the same legal rights as non-LGBTQ people. LGBT individuals in New Jersey enjoy strong protections from discrimination, and have had the same marriage rights as heterosexual people since October 21, 2013.

California is seen as one of the most liberal states in the U.S. in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights, which have received nationwide recognition since the 1970s. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the state since 1976. Discrimination protections regarding sexual orientation and gender identity or expression were adopted statewide in 2003. Transgender people are also permitted to change their legal gender on official documents without any medical interventions, and mental health providers are prohibited from engaging in conversion therapy on minors.

The U.S. state of New York has generally been seen as socially liberal in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) rights. LGBT travel guide Queer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, and queer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs". The advocacy movement for LGBT rights in the state has been dated as far back as 1969 during the Stonewall riots in New York City. Same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults has been legal since the New York v. Onofre case in 1980. Same-sex marriage has been legal statewide since 2011, with some cities recognizing domestic partnerships between same-sex couples since 1998. Discrimination protections in credit, housing, employment, education, and public accommodation have explicitly included sexual orientation since 2003 and gender identity or expression since 2019. Transgender people in the state legally do not have to undergo sex reassignment surgery to change their sex or gender on official documents since 2014. In addition, both conversion therapy on minors and the gay and trans panic defense have been banned since 2019. Since 2021, commercial surrogacy has been legally available within New York State.

Vermont is seen as one of the most liberal states in the U.S. in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights, with most progress in jurisprudence having occurred in the late 20th and the early 21st centuries. Vermont was one of 37 U.S. states, along with the District of Columbia, that issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples prior to the landmark Supreme Court ruling of Obergefell v. Hodges, establishing equal marriage rights for same-sex couples nationwide.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Hawaii enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1973; Hawaii being one of the first six states to legalize it. In 1993, a ruling by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court made Hawaii the first state to consider legalizing same-sex marriage. Following the approval of the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act in November 2013, same-sex couples have been allowed to marry on the islands. Additionally, Hawaii law prohibits discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, and the use of conversion therapy on minors has been banned since July 2018. Gay and lesbian couples enjoy the same rights, benefits and treatment as opposite-sex couples, including the right to marry and adopt.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Oregon have the same legal rights as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Oregon, and same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since May 2014 when a federal judge declared the state's ban on such marriages unconstitutional. Previously, same-sex couples could only access domestic partnerships, which guaranteed most of the rights of marriage. Additionally, same-sex couples are allowed to jointly adopt, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations is outlawed in the state under the Oregon Equality Act, enacted in 2008. Conversion therapy on minors is also illegal.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of North Carolina may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents, or LGBT residents of other states with more liberal laws.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Virginia enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. LGBT rights in the state are a relatively recent occurrence; with most improvements in LGBT rights occurring in the 2000s and 2010s. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Virginia since October 6, 2014, when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal in the case of Bostic v. Rainey. Effective July 1, 2020, there is a state-wide law protecting LGBT persons from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. The state's hate crime laws also now explicitly include both sexual orientation and gender identity.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of New Mexico enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. New Mexico has seen prominent advances in gay and lesbian rights in recent decades. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1975. Same-sex marriage is legal statewide in New Mexico, as is adoption and access to fertility treatments for lesbian couples. Same-sex couples have had the same rights as heterosexual married couples since 2013. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is banned statewide in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations. Additionally, conversion therapy on minors is prohibited in the state.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Nebraska may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Nebraska, and same-sex marriage has been recognized since June 2015 as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges. The state prohibits discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment and housing following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County and a subsequent decision of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission. In addition, the state's largest city, Omaha, has enacted protections in public accommodations.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Kansas have federal protections, but many face some legal challenges on the state level that are not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Kansas under the US Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy laws that only apply to same-sex sexual acts. The state has prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations since 2020. Proposed bills restricting preferred gender identity on legal documents, bans on transgender people in women's sports, bathroom use restrictions, among other bills were vetoed numerous times by Democratic Governor Laura Kelly since 2021. However, many of Kelly's vetoes were overridden by the Republican supermajority in the Kansas legislature and became law.

References

↑ "Assemblyman Mark Leno's Gender Identity Bill Signed By Governor Davis". Archived from the original on June 12, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007.
↑ "Farmington NM Gay Men". Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007.
↑ "HRC Applauds U.S. Census Bureau as It Releases First Report on Same-Sex Partners and Their Families". Archived from the original on January 3, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
↑ Hunt, Jerome (June 2012). "A State-by-State Examination of Nondiscrimination Laws and Policies" (PDF). Center for American Progress Action Fund: 46. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
↑ http://www.azsos.gov/aar/2003/37/governor.pdf Archived June 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine (Adobe Acrobat format)
↑ Limon v. Kansas ,[openjurist.org/539/us/955/limon-v-kansas-02-583 539US955](Supreme Court of the United StatesJune 27, 2003).
↑ Stout, David (June 27, 2003). "Justices Void Prison Term Given Gay Teenager in Kansas". The New York Times. Washington. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
↑ OA: 2003–10 Equal Employment Opportunity
↑ Nadler, Jerrold (March 6, 2003). "H.R.832 - 108th Congress (2003-2004): Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003". www.congress.gov. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
↑ Leahy, Patrick J. (July 31, 2003). "S.1510 - 108th Congress (2003-2004): Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003". www.congress.gov. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
↑ "University of Minnesota Human Rights Library". hrlibrary.umn.edu. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
↑ LAVOIE, DENISE (November 16, 2013). "A Decade After Massachusetts' Landmark Gay Marriage Ruling, The Gains Are Clear". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
↑ http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/legal/lgln/01.2004.pdf (Adobe Acrobat format)
↑ "Transitions". The Advocate . February 17, 2004. p. 17.

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[1] "Assemblyman Mark Leno's Gender Identity Bill Signed By Governor Davis". Archived from the original on June 12, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007.

[2] "Farmington NM Gay Men". Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007.

[3] "HRC Applauds U.S. Census Bureau as It Releases First Report on Same-Sex Partners and Their Families". Archived from the original on January 3, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2019.

[4] Hunt, Jerome (June 2012). "A State-by-State Examination of Nondiscrimination Laws and Policies" (PDF). Center for American Progress Action Fund: 46. Retrieved February 23, 2021.

[5] ttp://www.azsos.gov/aar/2003/37/governor.pdf Archived June 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine (Adobe Acrobat format)

[6] Limon v. Kansas ,[openjurist.org/539/us/955/limon-v-kansas-02-583 539US955](Supreme Court of the United StatesJune 27, 2003).

[7] Stout, David (June 27, 2003). "Justices Void Prison Term Given Gay Teenager in Kansas". The New York Times. Washington. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.

[8] OA: 2003–10 Equal Employment Opportunity

[9] Nadler, Jerrold (March 6, 2003). "H.R.832 - 108th Congress (2003-2004): Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003". www.congress.gov. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.

[10] Leahy, Patrick J. (July 31, 2003). "S.1510 - 108th Congress (2003-2004): Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003". www.congress.gov. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.

[11] "University of Minnesota Human Rights Library". hrlibrary.umn.edu. Retrieved July 8, 2019.

[DLavoie-Gains-12] LAVOIE, DENISE (November 16, 2013). "A Decade After Massachusetts' Landmark Gay Marriage Ruling, The Gains Are Clear". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2013.

[13] ttp://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/legal/lgln/01.2004.pdf (Adobe Acrobat format)

[14] "Transitions". The Advocate . February 17, 2004. p. 17.

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