2016 has been a tough year for those of us in the LGBTQ+ community. We have seen a hate crime with an extreme loss with the shooting in Orlando, Florida at the Pulse nightclub in June. North Carolina's newly-former Governor Pat McCrory signed the HB2 bill, also known as the "bathroom bill," into law, which discriminates against transgender people by forcing them to use the bathroom of the sex written on their birth certificate rather than the gender they choose to live their life as. Not to mention our country voting in President-elect Donald Trump, who continually has spoken out against marriage equality.
In spite of all the sadness, negativity and fear we have felt over the past year, progress was still made, positivity was spread, and unity was formed. Before we jump in 2017, here is a simple reminder of the good that did happen in 2016.
January.
In January, the National LGBTQ Task Force held the Creating Change Conference in Chicago, Illinois, bringing together people from all across the country to help create change in our communities.
February.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made strides in New York by announcing regulations to prevent conversion therapy for youth, which aims to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of homosexuals into heterosexuals.
March.
With the title of Outreach and Recruitment Director for Presidential Personnel and Associate Director for Public Engagement, Raffi Freeman-Gurspan became the first publically out transgender LBGT liaison for the White House.
April.
On March 24, Governor Pat McCrory signed HB2 into state law. Within the following months of April and May, numerous celebrities and companies took a stand by boycotting their concerts or business taking place the state of North Carolina. Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Demi Lovato, and Nick Jonas are just a few of the many who took a stand against McCrory and for transgender rights.
May.
10th-grade student and LGBT advocate from Delaware Lida Gannon started collecting signatures on petition forms to show support for her high school's Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). GSA is a club found at many educational institutions on the high school and collegiate level to provide a safe and supportive space for open conversation about sexual orientation and identity. Gannon spread awareness of the club by hosting a day of silence with the support of her principal, teachers and fellow students.
June.
The ban on transgender people serving openly in the military is lifted, taking one step closer to completely removing barriers for LGBT participation in the armed forces.
July.
Of the 56 openly LGBT athletes competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics, 9 are from the USA.
August.
YouTube sensation and LGBT advocate Hannah Hart established her initiative "Have a Hart Day" to encourage her fans to volunteer in their local community. In August 2016, 40 volunteers from across America participated in kindness by donating their time. From helping run a pride festival in Texas to helping make 1,200 meals for terminally ill and HIV/AIDS positive patients in California, Hart's fans love volunteering to make the world a little bit brighter.
September.
On September 11th, Erin O'Flaherty, Miss Missouri, became the first openly gay Miss America contestant.
October.
TIME magazine released their 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016. The list included many LGBT identified teens and activists including James Charles, Amandla Stenberg, and Jaden Smith.
November.
The newest elected governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, became the highest ranking LGBT person elected into office in the United States.
December.
Music sensations and long time LGBTQ supporters Tegan and Sara announced their new foundation, the Tegan and Sara Foundation, that aims to support LGBTQ women and girls.
Let's make 2017 our year.
