10 Incredible Improvements For LGBT People Since The First State Legalized Gay Marriage
Massachusetts Becomes The First(01 of10)
Open Image ModalMassachusetts became the first state to welcome gay marriages in 2004. Since then, 17 states and Washington, DC have followed their lead and now allow same-sex couples to tie the knot. (credit:Darren McCollester via Getty Images)
Increase In Support Of Marriage Equality(02 of10)
Open Image ModalOnly 37 percent of Americans supported marriage equality for same-sex couples in in 2003. Now, in 2014, 59 percent of individuals support this right. (credit:Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)
DOMA(03 of10)
Open Image ModalThe Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed in 1996, barring same-sex couples from marrying at the federal level. The Supreme Court struck down the core of this legislation in 2013, ensuring 1,100+ federal protections for gay couples. (credit:AP)
Protections For Transgender Minors(04 of10)
Open Image ModalThe American Psychiatric Association announced in December 2012 that identifying as transgender is no longer considered a disorder, 38 years after removing same-sex attraction from its list of disorders. (credit:Alistair Berg via Getty Images)
Obama Supports Marriage Equality(05 of10)
Open Image ModalPresident Barack Obama made history in 2012 when he came out in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples. The decision made him the first American sitting president in history to make such a move. (credit:John Churchman via Getty Images)
LGBT Allies In Hollywood(06 of10)
Open Image ModalOver the past ten years we\'ve seen an explosion of support for the LGBT community in Hollywood, from LGBT celebrities themselves like Lady Gaga and Ellen DeGeneres, to non-queer allies like Brad Pitt and Anne Hathaway. (credit:Mark Sullivan via Getty Images)
Serve Openly In The Military(07 of10)
Open Image ModalPresident Barack Obama signed the repeal of \"Don\'t Ask, Don\'t Tell\" in September 2011, reversing President Bill Clinton\'s 1993 legislation that barred lesbians and gays from serving openly in the military. Transgender individuals, however, are still not allowed to openly reveal their gender identity while serving. (credit:Jose Fernando Ogura/Curitiba/Brazil via Getty Images)
Opposition: No Longer Relevant(08 of10)
Open Image ModalAnti-gay organizations such as the National Organization for Marriage and Family Research Council are becoming increasingly silent and slowly losing funding. The Catholic Church has also begun to show a shifting away from anti-gay attacks, particularly with Pope Francis\' iconic \"Who am I to judge?\" proclamation. (credit:Franco Origlia via Getty Images)
Hospital Visitation Rights(09 of10)
Open Image ModalIn 2010, President Obama ordered that hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments must grant patients the right to designate who can visit and consult with them, enabling hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples. (credit:Sebastian Rose via Getty Images)
Marriage Equality Court Cases(10 of10)
Open Image ModalCouples fighting for the right to marry are continuing to legally challenge their right to marry at the state level. There are currently more than 70 active cases in approximately 30 states. (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)