For her lifetime of work Birch was recognized with an award from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, one of the most prestigious civil rights prizes in the country.

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Birch stepped down from the directorship of the HRC in January 2004 at the same time that her life partner, Hilary Rosen, left her job as chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of America. Both cited the wish to spend more time with their children, twin brother and sister, whom they adopted in 1999. The twins, born prematurely, both faced serious health crises early on but have thrived under their mothers' care.

In early 2004 Birch joined the campaign of presidential candidate Howard Dean as a senior advisor.

Birch has been praised for the strength of her commitment and for her skill as a negotiator. Her warm personality and conciliatory rather than combative style of conflict resolution have contributed to her success. Longtime activist Frank Kameny has pointed out that her "pragmatic approach" has been effective in bringing about positive change in the political arena.

"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.

Hate Crimes are crimes towards persons or groups motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Throughout the year, the glbtq community unites in pride and in protest, in recognition of a rich heritage and in hope for the future.

Marches on Washington in support of the rights of glbtq people have been a significant part of the modern movement for equality.

The various symbols of glbtq pride render marginalized communities visible and assert self-esteem in the face of discrimination and oppression.

The American glbtq movement for equality has largely allied itself with the Democratic Party.

Candace Gingrich, the half-sister of former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, serves as a spokesperson and Senior Youth Outreach Manager for the Human Rights Campaign.

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

One of the founding fathers of the American gay rights movement, Frank Kameny helped radicalize the homophile movement, preparing the way for the mass movement for equality initiated by the Stonewall Riots of 1969.

The Republican Party of the United States has not been supportive of glbtq issues, despite the efforts of the Log Cabin Republicans.