EDGE Los Angeles

A crowded field of New York City mayoral candidates faced off at Baruch College in an LGBT forum.

From President Barack Obama’s comments about gay military spouses at the State of the Union address to his historic acknowledgement during his second inauguration that LGBTs be treated equally; has ’The Obama Effect’ changed public opinion on gay rights?

Following a recent victory for same-sex marriage in the General Assembly, the leaders of the marriage equality movement in Rhode Island were honored for their efforts in a special Feb. 3 event, the Courageous Love Awards.

A bill to legalize same-sex civil unions passed Colorado’s Senate Judiciary Committee, and appears ready for passage by the Senate.

State Sen. Ed Murray, who led the referendum campaign to legalize gay marriage, has announced plans to marry his longtime partner, Michael Shiosaki on August 10, four days after the August 6 primary election, where Murray is campaigning for Seattle mayor.

With the recent coming out of Republican Rep. Mike Fleck, Pennsylvania has gained both a Republican and a Democrat -- Rep. Mike Sims -- who are openly gay.

Openly gay Washington State Sen. Ed Murray announced his plans to run for Mayor of Seattle, forming an exploratory committee to investigate his options.

California leads the way with the election of veteran California public school teacher and Democrat Mark Takano, as the first openly gay person of color elected to the House of Representatives.

Colorado made history this month, when they elected Rep. Mark Ferrandino to be the state’s Speaker of the House, making him the first openly gay legislator in the state to hold that role.

Openly lesbian Democrat Tammy Baldwin made history last night, emerging victorious over Republican Tommy Thompson in the battle to become the first Wisconsin woman and the first openly LGBT person to serve in the U.S. Senate.