After the San Francisco ordinance was passed, United Airlines brought suit against the city, claiming the ordinance violated the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution. This suit eventually was settled and United now offers domestic partner benefits. Another suit, brought by S.D. Meyers Inc., an Ohio electrical company, was dismissed by the Ninth Circuit in July 2003. Meyers has said it is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court. It believes that "giving health insurance to unmarried partners would be approving a lifestyle contrary to its Christian principles."

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The San Francisco ordinance has become the model for other cities to follow. Six other cities have passed "equal benefits" ordinances (Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Tumwater, Washington). According to HRC, these ordinances collectively are responsible for more than 4200 companies instituting domestic partner benefits.

Some courts have held that local anti-discrimination ordinances cannot create rights enforceable in state court since this would exceed the city or county's home rule powers. A growing number of courts, however, have concluded that local ordinances can be enforced in state court.

Anti-discrimination ordinances are subject to repeal by referendum. From the time of Anita Bryant and her notorious "Save the Children" campaign in Florida in the 1970s, opponents of lesbian and gay civil rights have had some success in repealing anti-discrimination ordinances through referendum. The tide finally appears to be turning. As HRC notes, in 2002, referenda to repeal local ordinances "failed everywhere they were able to collect enough signatures to get on the ballot."

State and local anti-discrimination laws have made a real difference in the lives of millions of lesbians and gay men. Activists are now pressing other states and cities, and Congress, to pass such laws in the continuing effort to protect glbtq people from discrimination.

Vermont's Civil Union law confers all the rights, benefits, and responsibilities of marriage on same-sex couples.

"Domestic partnership" is the generic term for a variety of forms of legal and institutional recognition of same-sex couples that fall short of same-sex marriage.

The U.S. gay rights movement has made significant progress toward achieving equality for glbtq Americans, and in the process has become more inclusive and diverse, but much remains to be done.

The site of contentious battles for glbtq rights, Miami is home to a vibrant glbtq community; as is Key West, which has a long tradition of celebrating diversity.

Off and on over two centuries, New York City has also reigned as the capital of homosexual, transgender, and queer life in America.

Lesbian and gay couples have been fighting for the freedom to marry since the dawn of the modern glbtq struggle for equality; despite some success abroad, progress toward same-sex marriage in the United States has been slow.

San Francisco has enjoyed a reputation as a "gay mecca" since World War II.

Saugatuck, Michigan is a popular resort destination for glbtq vacationers, especially from Chicago and Detroit

The Empire State Pride Agenda, which lobbies New York governments at both state and local levels for equal rights, is recognized as among the strongest statewide glbtq political organizations in the United States.

Equality California (EQCA) is one of the largest and fastest growing statewide glbtq advocacy and civil rights organizations in the United States.

New England's leading legal organization dedicated to equal justice for glbtq individuals and families, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) provides litigation, advocacy, and educational work in all areas of glbtq civil rights.

The largest glbtq political organization in the United States, the Human Rights Campaign has emerged as the leading national organization representing glbtq concerns.