This is a list of notable events in LGBTQ rights that took place in the 2010s.
Overview
During the 2010s, acceptance of LGBTQ people slowly increased in many parts of the world. Same-sex marriage rights was a topic of ongoing debate in many nations, while over eighteen nations legalized same-sex marriage.
In June 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed the UN's first-ever motion condemning discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, commissioning a report on the issue. During an ABC News interview in 2012, Barack Obama expressed his support for gay marriage, becoming the first US president to do so. Although many nations allowed gays and bisexuals to serve in their militaries, a major milestone came in September 2011 when the US abolished its "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.
In 2015, Ireland became the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage via a referendum. In 2017, Leo Varadkar became Ireland's first openly gay Taoiseach, joining the ranks of other nation's first openly gay and lesbian heads of state in the 2010s.
In April 2015, former Olympic athlete Caitlyn Jenner came out as a transgender woman, and was subsequently called the most famous openly transgender person in the world. On June 26 of the same year, same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states of the U.S. as the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in a 5–4 vote that refusing to grant marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples violated the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees citizens the rights to due process and equal protection. Organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and the Episcopal Church announced acceptance of transgender people in the 2010s.
However, LGBT rights supporters faced obstacles with the implementation of laws curbing expression of homosexuality in Russia and China, as well as in the United States, with the Trump administration's decisions to reinstate the ban on transgender people serving in the military, as well as the repeal of protections for transgender students.
Events by year 2010
February 2 — The United States Tax Court rules in O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner that taxpayers may deduct the medical costs associated with treating gender identity disorder from their federal income taxes. March 1 — Crime Decree 2009 decriminalizes homosexuality in Fiji. Fiji becomes the first Pacific Island country to formally decriminalize homosexuality. March 4 — Mexico City's same-sex marriage and adoption laws come into effect. This follows twenty-two couples taking part in a symbolic marriage ceremony in Tlaxcala on February 26 to highlight the issue. March 31 — The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts a recommendation on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. April 8 — Portugal abolishes the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood. May 17 — Amid controversy, a law enabling same-sex marriage in Portugal is promulgated by president Aníbal Cavaco Silva, although adoption is ruled out. The law comes into force on June 5, with the first marriage on June 7. June 2 — United States President Barack Obama issues a memorandum ordering federal departments and agencies to extend spousal benefits to same-sex couples to the extent permitted by the Defense of Marriage Act. June 27 — Same-sex marriage in Iceland is legalized with Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and her partner, Jónína Leósdóttir, among the first to make use of the law. August 4 — District Judge Vaughn R. Walker rules in Perry v. Schwarzenegger that Proposition 8, the state constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage in California, is in violation of the constitution.Perry v. Schwarzenegger, 704 F.Supp.2d 921. Accessed December 12, 2010. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issues an emergency stay without explanation on August 16. September 13 — Chief of the Defence Force of Australia Angus Houston issues an order lifting the ban on transgender personnel. September 29 — Tasmania passes a bill recognizing legal same-sex marriages performed outside Tasmania. December 22 — The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 is signed into law by United States President Barack Obama following its passage by the United States Congress.
2011
January 1 — The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 comes into effect in Ireland, allowing same-sex couples to enter civil partnerships. January 31 — Following its passage in December 2010, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signs the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. The law is scheduled to take effect June 1 and allows all couples, regardless of gender, to enter into civil unions which provide all of the state benefits of marriage. April 13 — Rear Admiral Mark L. Tidd, Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy, issues a two-page "guidance" memo stating that following final repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in Naval facilities with Naval chaplains officiating in those states in which same-sex marriage is legal. April 29 — The United States Department of Labor updates its internal equal employment opportunity policy to bar discrimination on the basis of gender identity. June 24 — Following a 36–26 vote passing exemptions for religious organizations, the New York Senate passes a chapter amendment legalizing same-sex marriage. The New York State Assembly approves the bill by 80–63 and it is signed into law shortly before midnight by Governor Andrew Cuomo. New York becomes the largest state in the United States to recognize same-sex marriage. September 20 — "Don't ask, don't tell", the law which had excluded LGBT people from serving openly in the United States military since 1993, expires nine months after it was legislatively repealed. The United States Army is the first branch of the military to officially announce that the exclusionary policy is over. December 1 — In Australia, the Parliament of Queensland passes the Civil Partnership Bill. December 6 — Elio Di Rupo of Belgium becomes the first openly gay male leader of a European Union country.
2012
February 7 — The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rules in Perry v. Schwarzenegger that California's Proposition 8, which restricts marriage to mixed-sex couples, is unconstitutional. May 8 — In the United States, North Carolina voters approve Amendment 1 to the state constitution, banning same-sex marriages and any "domestic legal union". May 28 — In Moldova, a bill that bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment is signed into law by President Nicolae Timofti. May 31 — In the United States, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals strikes down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional. December 5 — The Supreme Court of Mexico unanimously strikes down a same-sex marriage ban in the southern state of Oaxaca, paving the way for same-sex marriages nationally.
2013
January 1 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the U.S. state of Maryland. January 2 — The National Assembly of France approves Article 1 of the same-sex marriage bill by 249–97. January 5 — The Parliament of the United Kingdom passes the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill with a vote of 400–175, legalizing same-sex marriage in England and Wales. April 23 — The National Assembly of France approves a marriage equality bill in a second voting, legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption. May 1 — Civil unions become legal in the U.S. state of Colorado. May 14 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Brazil after the Federal Court ruled that the government was not allowed to discriminate against gay people in the provision of marriage licenses. May 30 — The Nigerian parliament passes a law banning same-sex marriage. July 1 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the U.S. state of Delaware. August 1 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the U.S. states of Rhode Island and Minnesota. August 5 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Uruguay after it was passed on May 10 by the Chamber of Deputies of Uruguay with 71 affirmative votes out of 92 in its second reading, making Uruguay the second country in Latin America, after Argentina, and twelfth overall, to legalize same-sex marriage. The law was previously passed by the Senate on April 2 by a 23–8 vote. December 11 — The Supreme Court of India overrules the Delhi Court in re-establishing the primacy of section 377 of the Indian penal code that makes homosexual activity illegal. December 12 — The High Court of Australia overrules the Australian Capital Territory's law allowing same-sex marriage in contravention of the Marriage Act saying the federal parliament alone could set such laws. The ruling annuls weddings that have already taken place. December 17 — The Parliament of Uganda approves the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which originally proposed the death penalty for homosexuality but now contains the punishment of life in prison for "aggravated homosexuality". The bill must be signed by the President of Uganda before becoming law. December 19 — The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the state must issue marriage licenses to couples without respect to gender.
2014
January 13 — Nigeria passes new legislation criminalizing the aiding and abetting as well as promotion of homosexuality, public displays of same-sex relationships, and belonging to homosexual groups. Those in a same-sex marriage or civil union may be sentenced to 14 years in prison and foreign partnerships are "void". People who register, operate, or participate in gay clubs, societies, and organizations or make public displays of affection as part of a same-sex relationship can be punished by up to 10 years in prison. February 4 — The Scottish Parliament approves a same-sex marriage bill. April 14 — In Malta, parliament approves a civil partnership bill. July 21 — United States President Barack Obama signs an executive order expanding employment protections for federal workers and contractors to include gender identity. This order also bans sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination for companies receiving federal contracts. August 1 — The Constitutional Court of Uganda invalidates the Anti-Homosexuality Bill due to too members of parliament being present to vote on the bill. October 9 — Estonia becomes the first former Soviet country to recognize same-sex partnerships. The law comes into effect in 2016. October 10 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in North Carolina, and same-sex married couples in Virginia can now legally adopt. October 15 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Idaho. October 17 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Arizona after U.S. District Court Judge John W. Sedwick rules that state's ban is unconstitutional. Sedwick refuses to grant a stay on his opinion and State Attorney General Tom Horne chooses not to appeal. October 21 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Wyoming. December 17 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Scotland.
2015
January 1 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Luxembourg. January 6 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Florida. March 3 — The Slovenian Parliament votes to legalize marriage for same-sex couples. June 12 — In the Mexican state of Chihuahua, Governor César Duarte Jáquez announces that his administration will no longer prevent same-sex couples from marrying. June 22 — Same-sex marriage becomes legal in the Pitcairn Islands. June 26 — Same-sex marriage is legalized in the United States of America following the 5–4 Supreme Court ruling Obergefell v. Hodges, which declares the refusal to grant marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples unconstitutional. July 13 — The Pentagon announces that it will allow transgender personnel to serve openly in the US military, starting in 2016.