The year 2011 may not have seemed like a noteworthy year to some in regard to LGBTQ rights. But in fact, we witnessed significant changes throughout the world, and in America in particular, when it comes to gay rights. From strides in immigration to marriage equality, 2011 was a year full of change for same-sex couples all over America.

Anti-Discrimination Laws

Throughout the nation, we saw a variety of anti-discrimination laws passed in 2011, significantly protecting against discrimination based on gender identity. In Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law HB 3810, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and applicants on the basis of gender identity. Governor Patrick also signed an executive order banning discrimination against state employees based on gender identity. The Nevada Legislature passed a bill banning employment and housing discrimination in the state on the basis of gender identity.

In October, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the Gender Nondiscrimination Act, which makes it illegal to discriminate in employment, education, and housing based on gender identity. The legislature and Governor Brown also corrected some of the inequities affecting same-sex couples by passing the Domestic Partnership Equality Act. Also in October, Connecticut became the 15th state to ban discrimination in employment and housing based on gender identity. The other states with similar bans are California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.

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