2013 in LGBT rights explained

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 2013.

Events

January

• 1 - Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the U.S. state of Maryland.^[1]

February

• 2 - The National Assembly of France approves Article 1 of the same-sex marriage bill by a 249-to-97 vote.^[2]
• 5 - The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, which would legalize same-sex marriage for couples in England and Wales, passes 400–175 in the Second Reading in the House of Commons.^[3]
• 19:
  • In Austria, step-child adoption (of one's partner's biological child) becomes legal after ECtHR rules in favour of a lesbian couple.^[4]
  • In Germany, successive adoption becomes legal after the Constitutional Court rules in favor of a lesbian couple. Previously, only the adoption of the biological child of one's partner was allowed.^[5]

April

• 23 - The National Assembly of France legalizes, in a second voting, same-sex marriage and adoption.^[6]
• 29 - NBA free agent Jason Collins becomes the first active male professional athlete in North America to acknowledge his homosexuality in an article written for Sports Illustrated.^[7]

May

• 1 - Civil unions become legal in the U.S. state of Colorado.^[8]
• 14 - Brazil legalizes same-sex marriage after the National Council of Justice ruled that orders all civil registers of the country to license and perform same-sex marriages and convert any existing stable unions into marriages if the couples so desire. The ruling was published on May 15 and took effect on May 16, 2013. ^[9]
• 17 - LGBT-rights activists gather in Tbilisi, Georgia, for the first anti-homophobic rally, despite large opposition.^[10]
• 30 - The Nigerian parliament passes a law banning same-sex marriage.^[11]
• 22 - Health Canada lifts ban on men who have sex with men donating blood with a deferral period of five years.^[12]
• 31 - Guy Erwin becomes the first openly gay bishop to be elected in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; he was elected to the Southwest California Synod of the ELCA.^[13]

June

• 19 - Exodus International, an organization devoted to the "re-orientation" of homosexual desires, shuts down.^[14]
• 25 - The Russian Parliament approves a ban on "gay propaganda" in two bills. The bill would impose jail terms for those who are deemed to be promoting homosexual "propaganda" to minors and for those who offend religious believers. At the same time, proponents staged a "kissing protests" while opponents attacked them.^[15]
• 26 - The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional in United States v. Windsor, requiring federal recognition of same-sex marriages performed in states. The also court dismisses an appeal in Hollingsworth v. Perry, effectively invalidating Proposition 8 and restoring same-sex marriage in California.
• 28 - The granting of same-sex marriages resumes in California.^[16]
• 30 - In Russia, President Vladimir Putin signs into law a bill banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors" after it was unanimously passed by the State Duma.^[17]

July

• 1 - Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the U.S. state of Delaware.^[18]

August

• 1 - Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the U.S. states of Rhode Island and Minnesota.^{[19] [20]}
• 5 - Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Uruguay^[21] after it was passed on 10 May by the Chamber of Deputies of Uruguay with 71 affirmative votes out of 92 in its second reading,^[22] making Uruguay the second country in Latin America, after Argentina, and twelfth overall, to legalize same-sex marriage. The law was previously passed by the Senate on 2 April by a 23 - 8 vote.^[23]
• 19 - In New Zealand, same-sex marriage becomes legal after Royal Assent is granted by the Governor-General Jerry Mateparae, following its passing in a third reading in parliament of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill.^{[24] [25]}
• 21 - In the U.S. state of New Mexico, Doña Ana County begins issuing same-sex marriage licenses.^[26]
• 23 - In the U.S. state of New Mexico, Santa Fe County begins issuing same-sex marriage licenses following an order by a state district court judge in Hanna v. Salazar.^[27]
• 27 - In the U.S. state of New Mexico, Bernalillo County begins issuing same-sex marriage licenses following an order by a state district court judge in Griego v. Oliver.^[28] San Miguel and Valencia counties also begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses. Taos County announces it will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses the next day following an order by a state district court judge in Stark v. Martinez.^[29]

September

• 4 - In the U.S. state of New Mexico, Los Alamos County begins issuing same-sex marriage licenses following an order by a state district court judge in Newton v. Stover.^[30]
• 9 - In the U.S. state of New Mexico, Grant County begins issuing same-sex marriage licenses following an order by a state district court judge in Katz v. Zamarripa.^[31]

December

• - A trans woman was able to apply for the Tamil Nadu civil services exam after a court order allowed her to under a self-described gender choice category. Tamil Nadu is the first province of India to offer the option of gender choice instead of the ubiquitous "third gender".^[32]
• 4 - Xavier Bettel is appointed prime minister of Luxembourg, making him the third head of government in the world to be LGBT, after Iceland's Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and Belgium's Elio Di Rupo, respectively. His deputy, Etienne Schneider, is also LGBT.^[33]
• 11 - The Supreme Court of India overrules the Delhi Court in re-establishing the primacy of section 377 of the Indian penal code that makes homosexual activity illegal.^[34]
• 12 - The High Court of Australia overrules the Australian Capital Territory's law allowing same-sex marriage in contravention of the Marriage Act saying the federal parliament alone could set such laws. The ruling annuls weddings that have taken place already.^[35]
• 17 - The Parliament of Uganda approves the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which originally proposed the death penalty for homosexuality but now contains life in prison for "aggravated homosexuality."^[36] The bill must be signed by the President of Uganda before becoming law.
• 19 - The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the state must issue marriage licenses to couples without respect to gender.^[37]
• 20 - In Kitchen v. Herbert, U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby ruled that the Utah's ban on gay marriage violates the due process and equal protection under the 14th Amendment for gay and lesbian couples.^[38]
• 23 - In Obergefell v. Wymyslo, Federal Court Judge Timothy Black ruled that Ohio's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. However, his ruling only applies to death certificates.^[39]

Deaths

• 8 January - Jeanne Manford, founder of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), unknown (declining health).^[40]

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: Maryland Rings in New Year With Marriage Equality. The Advocate.
2. News: French MPs endorse gay marriage. 2013-02-02. 2019-01-31. en-GB.
3. News: Gay marriage: MPs back bill despite Conservative backbench opposition. BBC News. 5 February 2013. 5 March 2013.
4. Web site: Austria: Reform needed after European Court adoption victory for lesbian couple . Amnesty International . 7 July 2013.
5. Web site: German Court Strengthens Gay and Lesbian Adoption Rights . Der Spiegel . 19 February 2013 . 7 July 2013.
6. http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/04/23/france-approves-marriage-equality-bill Advocate:France approves marriage equality bill
7. Web site: NBA player announces he is gay . 7 July 2013.
8. News: Civil unions signed into law in Colorado. Associated Press Big Story. 21 March 2013. Ivan. Moreno. 7 May 2013. 19 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140319034413/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/civil-unions-be-signed-law-colorado. dead.
9. Web site: Brazil judicial panel clears way for gay marriage . France 24 . 14 May 2013 . 7 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130609172419/http://www.france24.com/en/20130514-brazil-judicial-panel-clears-way-gay-marriage. 9 June 2013.
10. News: LGBT Supporters Rally in Tbilisi, Despite Fears of Violence. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 18 May 2018 . en. 2019-01-31.
11. News: Nigerian parliament bans same-sex marriage . BBC . 30 May 2013 . 2 August 2013.
12. Web site: Branswell. Helen. 2013-05-22. Canada lifts ban on gay men donating blood; must be abstinent for 5 years. 2020-10-08. CTVNews. en.
13. News: Rev. Guy Erwin: First Openly Gay Lutheran Bishop Elected To ELCA Southwest California Synod . HuffPost. 31 May 2013 . 7 July 2013 . Paul . Raushenbush.
14. News: Alan Chambers Apologizes to Gay Community, Exodus International to Shut Down. Melissa Steffan. Christianity Today. 21 June 2013. 25 August 2014.
15. Web site: Russia legislators pass 'gay propaganda' ban . Al Jazeera . 7 July 2013.
16. News: To cheers, same-sex marriages resume in California . https://web.archive.org/web/20130814012433/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/28/local/la-me-ln-to-cheers-samesex-marriages-resume-in-california-20130628 . dead . 14 August 2013 . Los Angeles Times . 28 June 2013 . 2 August 2013 . Maura . Dolan . Anthony . York . Maria . LaGanga.
17. Web site: U.S. Should Press Russia on Anti-Homosexuality Law . August 2, 2013 . Human Rights First . October 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130806131516/http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/2013/08/02/u-s-should-press-russia-on-anti-homosexuality-law/ . 6 August 2013.
18. News: Byrne . Tom . Delaware becomes 11th state to approve same-sex marriage . 7 May 2013 . WDDE . 7 May 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131229085636/http://www.wdde.org/43765-delaware-approves-same-sex-marriage . 29 December 2013 .
19. News: Klepper. David. RI Now 10th State to Allow Gay Marriage. 6 May 2013. ABC News. 2 May 2013.
20. Web site: Marriage equality in Minnesota: A gay-rights victory in the Midwest. 13 May 2013 . 17 May 2013.
21. Web site: Matrimonio igualitario: las parejas homosexuales podran casarse a partir del 5 de agosto . Pastor . Lucia . July 29, 2013 . Spanish . October 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131024100055/http://eldiario.com.uy/2013/07/29/las-parejas-homosexuales-podran-casarse-a-partir-del-5-de-agosto/ . October 24, 2013.
22. Web site: La Camara de Diputados aprobo ley de matrimonio gay poir 71 votos en 92 . April 10, 2013 . El Pais . Spanish . October 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130411014150/http://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/votacion-de-matrimonio-igualitario-empezo-con-polemica-por-bandera.html . April 11, 2013.
23. Web site: Senado aprobo ley de matrimonio igualitario: 23 a favor, 8 en contra . Spanish . Iglesia Catolica Conferencia Episcopal del Uruguay . October 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203071623/http://historico.elpais.com.uy/130402/ultmo-706596/ultimomomento/senado-aprobo-ley-de-matrimonio-igualitario-23-a-favor-8-en-contra/ . December 3, 2013.
24. News: NZ legalises same-sex marriage. ABC. 17 April 2013. Dominique. Schwartz. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130418032015/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-17/nz-legalises-same-sex-marriage/4635086. 18 April 2013.
25. News: MPs vote to legalise same sex marriage. TVNZ. 17 April 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130420095721/http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/mps-vote-legalise-same-sex-marriage-5409720. 20 April 2013.
26. News: Soular . Diana Alba . Same-sex couples apply for marriage licenses in Doña Ana County . 18 October 2013 . Las Cruces Sun-News . 21 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130826050650/http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_23907214/do-ana-county-begin-issuing-same-sex-marriage . 26 August 2013 .
27. News: Pearce. Matt. Second New Mexico county now issuing same-sex marriage licenses. 18 October 2013. Los Angeles Times. 23 August 2013.
28. News: Clausing. Jeri. New Mexico Judge Declares Same-Sex Marriage Legal. HuffPost. 18 October 2013. 26 August 2013.
29. Web site: 3 more NM counties to issue gay marriage licenses. KOAT. 18 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131022125741/http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/albuquerque/2-more-nm-counties-to-issue-gay-marriage-licenses/-/9153728/21668044/-/2k4q0k/-/index.html. 22 October 2013. dead.
30. News: Judge rules in favor of Los Alamos same-sex couplecense.html. 18 October 2013. Albuquerque Journal. 4 September 2013.
31. Web site: Gordon. Jefferey. Grant County to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses. KOB. 18 October 2013. 19 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131019084443/http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3153033.shtml?cat=500. dead.
32. News: Indian transgender passes test before exam - Features - Al Jazeera. Shanker. V Prem. 11 December 2013. Al Jazeera. 11 December 2013 . A few days ago Swapna was allowed to sit for the provincial Tamil Nadu civil services exam – thanks to a court order which allowed her to choose a sex of her choice when applying for the exam, an unprecedented victory for transgenders who have routinely been subject to endless discrimination..
33. Web site: Luxembourg gets first openly gay PM. 4 December 2013. Al Jazeera. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211013152211/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/12/4/luxembourg-gets-first-openly-gay-pm. 13 October 2021.
34. Web site: Indian top court says gay sex is an offence . December 11, 2013 . Aljazeera . October 6, 2021.
35. Web site: Australian court strikes down gay marriage.
36. Web site: Uganda MPS approve anti-gay law . December 21, 2013 . Aljazeera . October 6, 2021.
37. News: Gay marriage ruled legal by New Mexico's high court . USA Today . 19 December 2013 . October 6, 2021.
38. News: Gay Marriage Ban Struck Down in Utah . HuffPost. 20 December 2013 . Luke . Johnson.
39. Web site: The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News.
40. Web site: Garcia . Michelle . PFLAG Founder Jeanne Manford Dies at 92 . 8 January 2013 . advocate.com . 7 July 2013.