2008 in LGBT rights

Events

January

* January 1: Civil unions in New Hampshire and Civil unions in Uruguay [ [http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/12/122807ur.htm 365gay.com Uruguay] ] take effect.

February

* February 4: Domestic partnership in Oregon takes effect, after a Court challenge giving the green light to domestic partnership legislation, because the Oregon Constitution forbids same-sex marriage and the domestic partnership legislation might have been very close to same-sex marriage.

March

* March 1: Both Nicaragua and Panama legalizes homosexuality - With an equal age of consent, under a new Penal Code coming into effect.
* March 12: Washington state expands its domestic partner legislation to give over 150 more rights of marriage to same-sex couples.
* 14 March: A bill to allow a "registered partnership" passes parliament in the Australian state of Victoria by a vote of 58-21. The Relationships Act 2008, which provides a "registered partnership" becomes effective from 1/12/2008.

May

* May 11: The Australian Capital Territory legalized "civil partnerships" (without ceremonies) on a vote of 11-2. The Civil Partnership Act 2008 commenced 19 May 2008.
* May 14: CoE Commissioner for Human Rights publishes his viewpoint on applying human right principles to sexual orientation and gender identity. [ [http://www.coe.int/t/commissioner/Viewpoints/080514_en.asp “Time to recognise that human rights principles apply also to sexual orientation and gender identity”] ]
* May 15: The California State Supreme Court strikes down the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Marriages are to be available in June; legal challenges to the ruling are possible.

June

* June 11: SSMs now legal in Norway on a vote of 81-42 (the law comes into effect from 1/1/2009) [http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7933.html] [http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=7926]

July

* 31 July: The Australian Capital Territory will be the first place in Australia to provide same-sex partners (who are parents) with "parental leave" under the "Parental Leave Legislation Amendment Act 2008". [http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2008-27/default.asp]

August

* August 19: Argentina approves the first nation-wide gay rights measure, extending to same-sex couples the right to claim their deceased partners' pensions.

September

* September 30: Ecuador legalizes same-sex civil unions with the passage of its new Constitution.

October

* October 10: The state of Connecticut overturns the state's ban on same-sex marriage and becomes the third US state to legalize marriage, following Massachusetts and California.

Births

*

Deaths

*January 22 - Heath Ledger, 28, Australian actor, perhaps best known for appearing in the 2005 romantic drama, "Brokeback Mountain"
*May 9 - Nuala O'Faolain, 68, Irish bisexual writer and journalist
*May 22 - Paul Patrick, 58, British gay LGBT rights activist
*June 1 - Yves Saint Laurent, 71, French gay fashion designer
*June 21 - Kermit Love, 91, American gay puppeteer and costume designer
*August 27 - Del Martin, 87, American gay-rights activist, married in first wedding performed after California legalized same-sex marriage in 2008

See also

* Timeline of LGBT history.
* Table of years in LGBT rights.
* 1925 in LGBT rights - 1934 in LGBT rights
* 1943 in LGBT rights - 1969 in LGBT rights (Stonewall)
* 1980 in LGBT rights - 1990 in LGBT rights.

Notes