Same Sex Marriages at the Grammys

January 2014 ended with a big bang in the LGBTQ fight for marriage equality. In one of the most watched programs of the year, 34 couples, both straight and gay, said “I do” on the big stage. During Macklemore and Ryan Louis’ performance of “Same Love,” Queen Latifah led the ceremony.

The Grammys made a huge statement to start the year off, but that did not stop conservatives from firing off. While it might be a step toward equality, many people are still unhappy about it.

Disney to Introduce First Same-Sex Couple

At the same time as the Grammys making its big statement of the New Year, Disney channel was also pursuing the topic of equality. Jan. 26, Disney aired its first show in history to include a same-sex couple on the hit show “Good Luck Charlie.”

A Disney channel spokesperson commented that this episode was “developed to be relevant to kids and families around the world and to reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness.”

This too comes with its fair share of opposition, but Disney is confident in their decision to include all walks of life and plans to keep it that way.

Maryland Senate Seat up for Grabs

Dana Beyer is hoping to become the first transgender individual to be elected to Maryland’s General Assembly. She is the executive director of Maryland’s Gender Rights and plans to run against current Senator Richard Madaleno; who recently sponsored a bill to ban discrimination based on gender identity through Maryland.

The biggest LGBTQ advocate group of Maryland, Equality Maryland, questions the timing of Beyer’s choice to run. They are currently in support of Madaleno and the bill that needs to be passed. Either way, Maryland will have a strong LGBTQ advocate in the senate.

Transgender Teen Wins Lawsuit Against High School

Nicole Maines won the right to use the girl’s restroom at her local high school in Orono, Maine. In 2011, Maines was denied access to girl’s restroom at her elementary school. Instead, she was forced to use the restroom in the faculty restrooms, away from her classmates and peers. Maine’s court determined that this was a violation of her human rights.

Michael Silverman of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund says, “It is the first time a state court has declared it unlawful to transgender student access to the bathroom that matches who she is.”