An LGBT Year in Review
The year 2015 was a monumental year for LGBT rights and engagements. From the historic year for the Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing marriage equality nationally to immersion in the #BlackLivesMatter movement leading to the halting of the Boston Pride Parade locally, Caitlyn Jenner’s debut as a trans woman and the Boys Scouts lifting the ban on gay adults as Scout leaders, it was a year for the history books. The Rainbow Times (TRT), covered many local and national stories highlighting these and many more critical topics. TRT’s reporters proudly covered these events and more in exclusive and breaking news stories that quickly developed from confidential news tips or releases that turned into exclusive coverage too. Below are some of the reports that were produced in-house, some of which caused us to scramble at the last minute to prevent our server from crashing due to high traffic from our readers. The samples below are our picks for our favorite coverage in 2015.
January 2015
Exclusive: Rosie Cepero Brings Love & Hope from Beyond
Family Equality Council to Host 20th Annual Family Week in 2015
February 2015
Trans-Serving Orgs. Respond to Leelah Alcorn’s Death: Provide Needed Support
Comedian Jennie McNulty to Headline Valentine’s Day show by DykeNight Productions
Break the Chains: Queer POC, Trans & Marginalized Performers, Unite Art with Activism
March 2015
St. Patrick’s Parade: Paying Homage to VFP, Gay Inclusion
A Short List of Potential Advocates for Marriage Equality at High Court
Invisible No More: LGBT Elders of Color Come to the Forefront
Promise Place School’s 1st Annual Fundraiser in Boston, Set to Open School in September ’15
Veterans for Peace Sue City of Boston Over St. Patrick’s Peace Parade Permit
April 2015
Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival Will Be the Last
May 2015
NE Orgs. Support Marginalized Sexualities, Relationships, Gender & Racial Identities
Historical: Straight Teen Asks Gay Teen to the Prom
AIDS Walk Boston & 5K Run 2015 Marks 30th Anniversary this June
In Charge! Tom Bourdon Gets It Done in Greater Boston
June 2015
Exclusive Release to TRT (Story Went Viral – 11K Readers Almost crashed TRT’s Server)
#WickedPissed: Activists Halt Boston Pride Parade for 11 minutes
Still #WickedPissed, Boston Pride Mum on Demands
SCOTUS Expected to Decide on Nationwide Marriage Equality, Late in June
Vanity Fair’s Exclusive with Caitlyn Jenner
Pride Season in New England: The Biggest, Boldest & Best to Come
Justice Prevails: On Same-Sex Marriage “The Fight is Over”
July, 2015
Bill: Mass. Lawmakers Push for Pay Equity for Women
AAMC Releases Groundbreaking Medical Guidelines for LBGT Community
Boy Scouts of America, Closer to Ending Ban on Gay Adults
Defense Secretary: We’ll Lift the Transgender Military Ban
Latin Vision: Matrimonio Gay y el Terrorismo Espiritual
August 2015
Mass. Lags Behind Transgender Protections; Freedom Massachusetts Launches
Target: Moving Away from Gender-Based Labeling in Toy Aisles
A Focus on LGBTQ Youth of Color, Engaging Parents Project Seeks Participants
State Votes to Override Gov. Baker’s Veto to Support Homeless Youth
Same-Sex Marriage Not Enough: Refocusing the Fight for LGBT Equality
September 2015
Lawmakers, Leaders Back Equality Act, Offer More Legal Protections
Amnesty International Votes to Decriminalize Sex Work, Protect Sex Workers
Opinion: Donald Trump Shows True Colors
Combating Partner Violence, Focuses on LGBTQ People of Color, TOD@S
Latino LGBTs Face Unique Challenges: Still Some Orgs. Lag in Support
October 2015
Freedom Massachusetts: Public Hearing on Transgender Rights
LGBTQ Students: More Likely to be Sexually Assaulted, Less Likely to Report It
Opinion – The Politics of Prescriptions: When Profits Come Before People, Martin Shkreli
November 2015
Gov. Baker Mandates for More LGBT Enterprise in State Contracts
Understanding the Sexual Orientation of Pansexuality
Black and Pink Celebrates 10: Helping Incarcerated LGBTQs
Trans Community & Allies to Honor Transgender Lives During TDOR 2015
MA Transgender Rights Bill Fails to Come to Vote; Reactions
Opinion – Planned Parenthood Battle Emblematic of a Bigger Struggle for Women’s Rights
December 2015
Breaking TRT Exclusive: Corey Yarbrough Bids Adieu to HBGC
Getting to Zero: The Multi-Faceted Solution to Beating New HIV/AIDS Infections
Trans Writer Brings Danger & Eggs to Amazon, Tackles Issues Facing Youth & Adults
Opinion – Sheen’s HIV Diagnosis Puts Epidemic in the Crosshairs, PrEP
Community Leaders & Supporters Share their New Year’s Resolutions
