2012 was a banner year for LGBT rights. Same-sex marriage was legalized in Washington State in February and couples won the right to marry in Maryland and Maine by way of ballot referendums in November. Minnesota voters struck down a proposed amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in that state. President Barack Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage.
Courts in the First, Ninth and Second circuits struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional. Openly gay legislators were elected in local and federal elections. There were many more milestone moments too many to mention in this space.
