13 Ways 2013 Was A Great Year For LGBT Alabamians

2013 was a historic year for the LGBT movement across the U.S. Six states — Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota, Maine, Hawaii and Illinois — passed marriage equality laws. The Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The U.S. Senate finally passed ENDA and actually included gender identity! But states like Alabama weren't a part of the mix. It was still a great year for the LGBT rights movement in Alabama. Here's why!

1. #RollPride! #WarEqual!

equalityalabama.org

Equality Alabama is the statewide LGBT advocacy organization. Formed in 2002 by the merger of a couple of other organizations, the group had some successes in the 2000s but fizzled late in the decade. Equality Alabama gave itself a makeover this year and is back at it! The "Roll Pride" and "War Equal" T-shirts went viral and sold over 500 shirts this fall.

2. Teens' Petition Gets National Attention

change.org

In March, two Alabama teens, Foster Noone and Adam Pratt, launched a petition on change.org that garnered nearly 100,000 signatures and national media attention.

Here's how a story in the Washington Post started a story on the petition: "In Alabama, a 1992 state law requires that sex education teachers tell students that homosexuality is a crime and that it is 'not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public.' Now two Alabama students have started a petition on change.org in support of a bill introduced in the state legislature to repeal the law."

3. The Daily Show Disproves Stereotypes

Via thedailyshow.com

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart took a trip down to Alabama and Mississippi to test the stereotypes of Southerners being intolerant to same-sex relationships. The result was a funny segment that was not-at-all surprising to those of us who live here.

4. Thousands Show Up To Support Marriage Equality

Via photos.al.com

On Wednesday, June 26, Equality Alabama hosted rallies across Alabama in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling regarding two same-sex marriage cases. Thousands came out to the events across the state, including more than 500 at one gathering at Al's on Seventh in Birmingham.

5. Non-Discrimination Ordinance Makes Progress

Via blog.al.com

This year, a Birmingham City Council committee passed an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance and sent it to the full council, which gave it to the legal department for review. Though it hasn't passed yet, this is the closest we've come in Alabama to passing a law that protects LGBT people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation.

7. Birmingham Mayor Bell Comes Out Equality

cbs42.com / Via blog.al.com

Birmingham is Alabama's largest city, so it was kind of a big deal when Mayor William Bell told local CBS affiliate WIAT-TV: "Having grown up here in Birmingham and having lived through discrimination and things of that nature, I'm a firm believer that all individuals are to be treated equally and fairly. The decision by the Supreme Court in relation to DOMA is another step toward that equal respect for all individual rights."

8. College Republican Stands Up For The Freedom To Marry

Via buzzfeed.com

College student Stephanie Petelos made waves across the U.S. when she stood up to the establishment of the Alabama Republican Party in support of marriage equality. BuzzFeed even did a couple of stories on her, one of which had the fabulous headline, "Meet The College Republican Who Took On The Religious Right In Alabama — And Won."

9. IRS Says Legally Married Same-Sex Couples Will Be Recognized For Federal Tax Purposes

Via irs.gov

The IRS announced late in August that, because of the Supreme Court's June 26 ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act, it would recognize legal same-sex marriages for on federal tax returns.

10. Same-Sex Married Couples Have Benefit Plan Rights

huffingtonpost.com / Via dol.gov

Shortly after the IRS and Treasury Department announced that legally married same-sex couples could file their federal tax returns jointly, the Department of Labor issues a ruling that same-sex married couples also had rights to benefit plans such as 401(k)s, pensions, health care plans, and others.

11. Equality Alabama Membership Up 11%

Via equalityalabama.org

Equality Alabama membership grew by more than 11 percent in 2013, thanks in large part to the popular T-shirts, online petitions, and social and educational events.

12. BAO Gets Money for LGBT Youth Center

Via blog.al.com

Birmingham AIDS Outreach got a $50,000 grant this year from the Elton John AIDS Foundation to start an LGBT youth center. According to AL.com, the center will be "a space where young people can meet, participate in structured group activities, talk with counselors, and access free HIV testing and HIV prevention education materials."

13. Patricia Todd Announces Bill to Repeal Marriage Equality Ban

Via madvertiserblogs.com

Alabama's only openly gay lawmaker, Rep. Patricia Todd, married her long-time partner Jennifer Clarke this year and a few months later she announced that she's pushing a law next year to repeal Alabama's ban on the freedom to marry. While Todd doesn't expect the bill to pass, she does expect it to start a conversation about the effect such a ban has on Alabama's LGBT families.