Our community saw an unprecedented number of victories in the past year. Now that we’re entering 2015, we should all resolve to keep the ball rolling on LGBT equality.
The list of LGBT wins is almost too innumerable to fit in this space. The most visible was certainly marriage equality; the number of marriage-equality states doubled throughout 2014, now standing at 35, plus Washington, D.C. About two-thirds of the nation now lives in a jurisdiction with same-sex marriage, a figure that will rise next week, when marriages begin in Florida.
And 2015 could be another banner year for marriage equality. The U.S. Supreme Court may on Jan. 9 decide whether or not to take one or more cases before it regarding marriage equality. If, like in 2014, it declines, that could pave the way for another wave of state bans on same-sex marriage to fall. Or, if it does take one, we could finally get a ruling from SCOTUS on the constitutionality of limiting marriage to one man and one woman — which, if things go our way, could bring marriage equality nationwide by the end of the year.
Locally, Philadelphia celebrated its own LGBT victory this fall with the unanimous passage of a measure to instate penalties for hate crimes motivated by a victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, all classes not protected by state law. The win grew from adversity — vast public support for such a law built after a gay couple was beaten in Center City.
The trio of alleged gay-bashers will likely face a trial in 2015. The animus that allegedly motivated the attackers could have been directed at any member of our community, and they — and their supporters, as well as the court — need to see the breadth of the impact of their actions. The trial will be open to the public, so this is an opportune time for the LGBT and ally community to present a united front. Likewise, the case of Charles Sargent, the alleged killer of local transwoman Diamond Williams, will be moving through the court system this year — another opportunity to illustrate solidarity.
The same fervor that made our city hate-crimes law possible needs to be maintained and expanded to secure LGBT protections at the state level, and should also be mobilized to gain traction on the state nondiscrimination law. It is far beyond time for Pennsylvania to outlaw discrimination against its LGBT citizens and, with a Democratic governor soon to be in place who is eager to sign such a measure, 2015 needs to be the year that this long-stalled legislation moves forward.
While 2014 was a banner year for LGBT rights, celebrating the victories should be short-lived; the passion that made them possible can’t fade but instead is needed to continue to fuel progress. Let’s make 2015 another record-breaker.