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Posted: 12/6/2012 3:28:46 PM EST
Jessica Lee, left, 19, and Ashley Cavner, 21, of Vancouver, Wash. were the first in line in Clark County as marriage licenses for same-sex couples were issued for the first time in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 in Vancouver, Wash. Washington state now joins several other states that allow gay and lesbian couples to wed. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved law legalizing gay marriage. Because the state has a three-day waiting period, the earliest that weddings can take place is Sunday. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Randy L. Rasmussen) MAGS OUT; TV OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; THE MERCURY OUT; WILLAMETTE WEEK OUT; PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP OUT
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Posted: 11/16/2012 12:08:25 AM EST
Rep. Tina Kotek, D-Portland, speaks at the signing of Oregon health care bills, House Bill 3650 and Senate Bill 99, in Portland, Ore., July 1, 2011. Oregon House Democrats are expected to select Kotek as the nation's first openly lesbian speaker today, another milestone following an election that brought a series of victories to the gay community.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
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Posted: 11/16/2012 12:08:25 AM EST
Rep. Tina Kotek, D-Portland, is shown at the signing of Oregon health care bills, House Bill 3650 and Senate Bill 99, in Portland, Ore., July 1, 2011. Oregon House Democrats are expected to select Kotek as the nation's first openly lesbian speaker today, another milestone following an election that brought a series of victories to the gay community.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
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Posted: 11/16/2012 12:08:25 AM EST
Rep. Tina Kotek, D-Portland, right, is shown with Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber at the signing of Oregon health care bills, House Bill 3650 and Senate Bill 99, in Portland, Ore., July 1, 2011. Oregon House Democrats are expected to select Kotek as the nation's first openly lesbian speaker today, another milestone following an election that brought a series of victories to the gay community.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
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Posted: 11/6/2012 5:34:45 AM EST
People line up for early voting in Silver Spring, Maryland October 27, 2012. Question 6 on the Maryland ballot is a referendum petition that, if passed, allows gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
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Posted: 10/5/2012 7:48:32 AM EST
This image released by HBO shows Rutina Wesley, left, and Kristin Bauer van Straten in a scene from "True Blood." The 17th annual "Where We Are on TV" report released Friday by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) found that 4.4 percent of actors appearing regularly on prime-time network drama and comedy series during the 2012-13 season will portray lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) characters. This is up from 2.9 percent in 2011, which saw a dip in what had been a growing trend. The HBO drama "True Blood" remains the most inclusive series on cable television, featuring six LGBT characters. (AP Photo/HBO, John P. Johnson)
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Posted: 10/5/2012 7:48:32 AM EST
This image released by HBO shows Michael McMillian, left, and Denis O'Hare in a scene from "True Blood." The 17th annual "Where We Are on TV" report released Friday by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) found that 4.4 percent of actors appearing regularly on prime-time network drama and comedy series during the 2012-13 season will portray lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) characters. This is up from 2.9 percent in 2011, which saw a dip in what had been a growing trend. The HBO drama "True Blood" remains the most inclusive series on cable television, featuring six LGBT characters. (AP Photo/HBO, John P. Johnson)
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Posted: 9/28/2012 6:33:27 AM EST
In this undated photo, Gigi Chao, right, daughter of the Hong Kong property tycoon Cecil Chao, poses with her partner Sean Eav at an event in Hong Kong. The daughter of the prominent Hong Kong tycoon who has offered $65 million to any man who can woo her away from her lesbian partner says she's not upset with her father. Gigi says she’s on “very loving terms” with her father. He made world headlines this week when he offered the 500 million Hong Kong dollar marriage bounty after learning that his daughter had eloped with her partner to France. (AP Photo)
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Posted: 9/28/2012 4:08:27 AM EST
Cecil Chao, chairman of Hong Kong property developer Cheuk Nang Holdings, who has a reputation for being a playboy, poses in his house in Hong Kong Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The daughter of the prominent Hong Kong tycoon who has offered $65 million to any man who can woo her away from her lesbian partner says she's not upset with her father. Gigi Chao says she’s on “very loving terms” with her father. He made world headlines this week when he offered the 500 million Hong Kong dollar marriage bounty after learning that his daughter had eloped with her partner to France. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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Posted: 9/28/2012 4:08:27 AM EST
Cecil Chao, chairman of Hong Kong property developer Cheuk Nang Holdings, who has a reputation for being a playboy, speaks during an interview in his house in Hong Kong Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The daughter of the prominent Hong Kong tycoon who has offered $65 million to any man who can woo her away from her lesbian partner says she's not upset with her father. Gigi Chao says she’s on “very loving terms” with her father. He made world headlines this week when he offered the 500 million Hong Kong dollar marriage bounty after learning that his daughter had eloped with her partner to France. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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Posted: 9/28/2012 4:08:27 AM EST
In this Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 photo, Gigi Chao, daughter of Hong Kong property tycoon Cecil Chao, poses during an interview in Hong Kong. The daughter of the prominent Hong Kong tycoon who has offered $65 million to any man who can woo her away from her lesbian partner says she's not upset with her father. Gigi Chao says she’s on “very loving terms” with her father. He made world headlines this week when he offered the 500 million Hong Kong dollar marriage bounty after learning that his daughter had eloped with her partner to France. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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Posted: 9/16/2012 10:53:30 AM EST
FILE - In this Saturday, July 21, 2012 file photo, sailors march in uniform during the gay pride parade in San Diego. For the first time ever, U.S. service members had marched in a gay pride event decked out in uniform Saturday, after a recent memorandum from the Defense Department to all military branches made an allowance for the San Diego parade - even though its policy generally bars troops from marching in uniform in parades. On Sept. 20, 2011, the repeal of the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell" took effect, enabling gay and lesbian members of the military to serve openly, no longer forced to lie and keep their personal lives under wraps. One year later, the Pentagon says repeal has gone smoothly, with no adverse effect on morale, recruitment or readiness. Some critics persist with complaints that repeal has infringed on service members whose religious faiths condemn homosexuality. Instances of anti-gay harassment have not ended. And activists are frustrated that gay and lesbian military families don't yet enjoy the benefits and services extended to other military families. Yet the clear consensus is that repeal has produced far more joy and relief than dismay and indignation. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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Posted: 9/16/2012 10:53:26 AM EST
FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 file photo, Sgt. Brandon Morgan, right, kisses his partner Dalan Wells in a helicopter hangar at a Marine base in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, upon returning from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. The photo, made some five months after the repeal of the military's "don't ask don't tell" policy prohibiting gay servicemen from openly acknowledging their sexuality, was among the first showing a gay active duty serviceman in uniform kissing his partner at a homecoming. On Sept. 20, 2011, the repeal of the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell" took effect, enabling gay and lesbian members of the military to serve openly, no longer forced to lie and keep their personal lives under wraps. One year later, the Pentagon says repeal has gone smoothly, with no adverse effect on morale, recruitment or readiness. Some critics persist with complaints that repeal has infringed on service members whose religious faiths condemn homosexuality. Instances of anti-gay harassment have not ended. And activists are frustrated that gay and lesbian military families don't yet enjoy the benefits and services extended to other military families. Yet the clear consensus is that repeal has produced far more joy and relief than dismay and indignation. (AP Photo/David Lewis)
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Posted: 9/16/2012 10:53:22 AM EST
FILE - In this Saturday, June 23, 2012 photo provided by Jeff Sheng, Navy Chaplain Kay Reeb of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America officiates the civil union ceremony of Air Force Tech. Sgt. Erwynn Umali, right, and his partner Will Behrens at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the military base in Wrightstown, N.J. where Umali is stationed. On Sept. 20, 2011, the repeal of the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell" took effect, enabling gay and lesbian members of the military to serve openly, no longer forced to lie and keep their personal lives under wraps. One year later, the Pentagon says repeal has gone smoothly, with no adverse effect on morale, recruitment or readiness. Some critics persist with complaints that repeal has infringed on service members whose religious faiths condemn homosexuality. Instances of anti-gay harassment have not ended. And activists are frustrated that gay and lesbian military families don't yet enjoy the benefits and services extended to other military families. Yet the clear consensus is that repeal has produced far more joy and relief than dismay and indignation. (AP Photo/Jeff Sheng)
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Posted: 9/6/2012 7:08:26 PM EST
Zach Wahls, right, joins Minneapolis area families at a Vote No picnic Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 to discuss how the proposed Minnesota constitutional marriage amendment would have a negative impact on Minnesota families and limit the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. Wahls, an Iowan who was raised by a lesbian couple, stands alongside a lesbian couple, Mary Gustafson, left, and Jenny Simonds and sons Charlie, left, and Carter Gustafson. Wahls is scheduled to address the Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
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Posted: 8/25/2012 4:08:28 AM EST
In this photo taken Aug. 20, 2012, Dave Webb, co-chair of the 2012 Pride Charlotte Festival poses in the group's Charlotte offices. Webb says it’s been a tough few months for North Carolina’s gay and lesbian community. North Carolina voters in May approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. As the Democratic National Convention draws near, the community plans to be more visible. They will hold a two-day gay pride celebration the weekend before the convention. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
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Posted: 8/25/2012 4:08:28 AM EST
In this photo taken Aug. 20, 2012, Dave Webb, co-chair of the 2012 Pride Charlotte Festival poses in the group's Charlotte offices. Webb says it’s been a tough few months for North Carolina’s gay and lesbian community. North Carolina voters in May approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. As the Democratic National Convention draws near, the community plans to be more visible. They will hold a two-day gay pride celebration the weekend before the convention. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
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Posted: 8/25/2012 4:08:28 AM EST
In this photo taken Aug. 20, 2012, Dave Webb, co-chair of the 2012 Pride Charlotte Festival poses in the group's Charlotte offices. Webb says it’s been a tough few months for North Carolina’s gay and lesbian community. North Carolina voters in May approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. As the Democratic National Convention draws near, the community plans to be more visible. They will hold a two-day gay pride celebration the weekend before the convention. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
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Posted: 8/25/2012 4:08:26 AM EST
In this photo taken Aug. 20, 2012, Dave Webb, co-chair of the 2012 Pride Charlotte Festival poses in the group's Charlotte offices. Webb says it’s been a tough few months for North Carolina’s gay and lesbian community. North Carolina voters in May approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. As the Democratic National Convention draws near, the community plans to be more visible. They will hold a two-day gay pride celebration the weekend before the convention. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
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Posted: 8/25/2012 4:08:24 AM EST
In this photo taken Aug. 20, 2012, Dave Webb, co-chair of the 2012 Pride Charlotte Festival poses in the group's Charlotte offices. Webb says it’s been a tough few months for North Carolina’s gay and lesbian community. North Carolina voters in May approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. As the Democratic National Convention draws near, the community plans to be more visible. They will hold a two-day gay pride celebration the weekend before the convention. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
