Log Cabin Republicans Top 10 Moments of 2005

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Back during September, at the NC Pride Festival in Raleigh-Durham, I decided that it would be a good idea to sign up for the email list for the local chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans. I did it as a way to keep up with the LCR's efforts in the LGBT Rights Movement and saw it as a way to appreciate and stay involved with a group so often chastised by the LGBT Left. I received an email from their national email list today, which included their top 10 moments of 2005:

1. Republican Governor Jodi Rell of Connecticut becomes the first Governor in American history to sign a civil unions bill into law without a court mandate. 2. In November, Maine voters soundly defeat a ballot initiative that would have rolled back an anti-discrimination bill passed by strong bipartisan majorities in both houses of the Maine Legislature. 3. In California, Log Cabin opens its first-ever satelite office, the state legislature passes historic marriage equality bill, republican-appointee Judge Richard Kramer rules that the state cannot deny civil marriage to gay and lesbian couples, and Log Cabin member Mike Gin wins election as Mayor of Redondo Beach 4. Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), a decorated Vietnam Veteran, and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) offer powerful and growing Republican support for a bipartisan bill to repeal the failed "don't ask don't tell' policy. They join Congressmen Chris Shays (R-CT) and Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) in supporting efforts to allow gay and lesbian people to serve openly and honestly in our nation's military. 5. Last month, the Indianapolis City/County Council votes 15-14 in favor of adding sexual orientation and gender identity protections to the city and county's Human Rights Ordinance. A Republican council member casts the deciding vote. 6. In September, for the first time ever, the U.S. House of Representatives passes LGBT hate crimes legislation with critical support from 30 Log Cabin GOP allies. 7. In September, Massachusetts legislators reject a Constitutional amendment proposal that would overturn civil marriage equality. Republican Senate Minority Leader Brian Lees opens debate by announcing his opposition to the amendment. 8. This fall, courageous Log Cabin members in Texas launch an unprecedented grassroots campaign against an anti-gay constitutional amendment. 9. Former U.S. Senator John Danforth, an ordained Episcopalian Minister and former U.N. Ambassador, powerfully challenges the Republican Party to re-focus on core GOP values instead of divisive social issues. 10. In April, just months before the devastating Hurricane Katrina, the great city and good people of New Orleans host the 2005 Log Cabin National Convention with stirring keynote address delivered by former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman.

Although the LGBT community still has a long way to go, we have to at least admit that 2005 was a good year in the struggle for LGBT Equality. Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, log cabin republicans, gay marriage, civil unions, north carolina