1997 in LGBT rights explained

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 1997.

Events

• Sodomy is decriminalized in the People's Republic of China.^[1]
• Fiji becomes the second country in the world whose constitution explicitly protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation, although the Fijian government does not invalidate or repeal its sodomy laws.^[2]
• U.S. state of Maine bans sexual orientation discrimination in the private sector. The ban is later repealed in a referendum.^[3]
• U.S. state of New Hampshire bans sexual orientation discrimination in the private sector.^[4]

April

• 30 — Ellen DeGeneres's character Ellen Morgan comes out as gay in "The Puppy Episode", seen by 42 million viewers.^[5]

July

• 2 — District judge Eugene Nickerson in Abel v. United States of America, a challenge to "don't ask, don't tell", rules that the law in its entirety violates the First and Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.^{[6] [7]}

October

• 3 — In Ontario, Canada court rules that the Government of Ontario's Insurance Act must include same-sex partners in its definition of spouse.^[8]

November

• 25 — Homosexuality is decriminalized in Ecuador following a landmark decision handed down by the Constitutional Tribunal.^[9]

December

• Annise Parker is elected as an at-large member of the Houston City Council alongside mayoral candidate Lee P. Brown.^[10]
• 2 — David Catania becomes the first openly gay or lesbian person to be elected to the city council of Washington, D.C.^[11]
• 10 — The Constitution Review Committee in Florida votes 6–2 to reject adding sexual orientation as a criterion for protection in the state constitution.^[12]
• 16 — In New Zealand, the court of appeal rules unanimously not to grant same-sex couples the right to marry.^[13]
• 17 — In the U.S. state of New Jersey, same-sex couples are given the right to jointly adopt children.^[14]

See also

• Timeline of LGBT history — timeline of events from 12,000 BCE to present
• LGBT rights by country or territory — current legal status around the world
• LGBT social movements

Notes and References

1. News: Gay pride in China? Yes and no . Emily Rauhala . . June 15, 2009 . May 22, 2012.
2. News: Fijians fighting for equal rights . Staff writer . Staff writer . . November 3, 2009 . May 22, 2012.
3. News: Gay Alliance seeks 2000 vote on discrimination . Emmet Meara . . May 27, 1999 . May 22, 2012.
4. News: American Topics . Staff writer . Staff writer . https://web.archive.org/web/20160316201559/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-3845169.html . dead . March 16, 2016 . . June 9, 1997 . May 22, 2012. subscription.
5. News: Ellen through the ages: a chronicle of her rise to fame and lesbo fortune . Rachel Shatto . https://web.archive.org/web/20110228022358/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-188646337.html . dead . February 28, 2011 . . November 1, 2008 . May 22, 2012. subscription.
6. Abel v. United States of America . 94 . CV . 0974 . . 1997-07-02 .
7. News: Judge rejects policy on gays; Military's 'don't ask, don't tell' is ruled unconstitutional . Lyle Denniston . . July 3, 1997 . May 22, 2012.
8. Web site: Applying for permanent residence from within Canada: Spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (IMM 5289) . Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada . Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada . April 17, 2012 . May 23, 2012.
9. News: Ecuador-Rights: Homosexuals Fight For Decriminalization . Mario Gonzalez . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307153945/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-3657238.html . dead . March 7, 2016 . . July 24, 1997 . May 23, 2012. subscription.
10. News: Houston mayor calls swearing-in milestone for gays . Michael Graczyk . . January 4, 2010 . May 23, 2012.
11. News: Don't dis Washington, D.C. . Ben Wattenburg . . December 17, 1997 . May 23, 2012.
12. Book: Ph.D, David E. Newton. Gay and Lesbian Rights: A Reference Handbook, 2nd Edition: A Reference Handbook, Second Edition. 2009-10-27. ABC-CLIO. 9781598843071. en.
13. News: Homosexuals and Immigration: Developments in the United States and Abroad . James R. Edwards Jr. . . May 1999 . May 23, 2012.
14. News: Accord Lets Gay Couples Adopt Jointly . Ronald Smothers . . December 18, 1997 . May 23, 2012.