The Backlash Myth: Progress Toward Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Equality Since May 17, 2004
Human Rights Campaign, 2005
Widespread media reports have described the 2004 elections as a supposed "backlash" against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans resulting from court decisions like Goodridge v. The Department of Public Health and Lawrence v. Texas. In reality, the country is continuing to make progress toward full equality for GLBT Americans in groundbreaking ways.
Significant progress in states like California, Maryland, Hawaii, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon and other states and localities across the country debunks the "backlash" myth. Likewise, attempts to deny rights to GLBT Americans are failing more often than not. Fourteen state legislatures defeated anti-gay constitutional amendments in 2004 (compared to the 13 states where these measures passed) and six state legislatures have defeated them already in 2005.
GLBT Americans and their allies celebrate May 17, 2005, as the first anniversary of the implementation of marriage rights for same-sex couples in Massachusetts – where a recent poll indicates that a majority of voters in the state support the right of same-sex couples to marry.
- The Backlash Myth: Progress Toward Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Equality Since May 17, 2004 pdf (85.42KB)
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