We Were The Top LGBT News In 2017

At least according to NPR.

Transgender Rights Lead NPR's Top LGBTQ Stories of 2017
By Danny Nett
December 30, 2017

As gay, lesbian and transgender activists around the United States felt a renewed sense of urgency under a new administration, 2017 cast a definitive spotlight on transgender rights.

Earlier this year, President Trump proposed a ban of trans service members in the military, and his administration rescinded Obama-era guidelines on the rights of transgender students under Title IX. But on Friday, the administration said it decided not to appeal court rulings, paving the way for transgender people to enter the military on Jan. 1.

Sixteen states considered versions of so-called "bathroom bills," requiring individuals to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Around the world, LGBTQ communities were targeted by crackdowns in Chechnya, Tanzania, Indonesia and Azerbaijan.

But LGBTQ communities also scored some victories and increased visibility in the U.S. and across the globe. Australia and Germany legalized same-sex marriage, and Taiwan's high court ruled in favor of it. Kiev ushered in what organizers said was the largest pride event in Ukraine's history.

To quote “A Tale of Two Cities”

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

The worst of times…
A record number of states try to ban us from going the bathroom
The best of times…
Connecticut passes a law to ban Conversion Therapy for minors

The worst of times…
Trump rescinds the policy for us to serve in the military
The best of times…
The courts block Trump’s Executive Order banning us from the military

The worst of times…
The Department of Justice and the Department of Education issues decrees saying we are not covered by Title VII and Title IX
The best of times…
Court cases around the country have ruled in our favor for Title VII and IX cases ignoring the DOJ and DoEd policies.

This year has been a roller coaster for us.