See also: 1996 in gay rights, other events of 1997, 1998 in gay rights and the Timeline of LGBT history

Events

*Sodomy is decriminalized in People's Republic of China.
* Fiji's's new constitution explicitly protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

April

*Ellen DeGeneres' character, Ellen Morgan, comes out on TV, seen by 42 million viewers.

October

*In the United Kingdom, Home Office minister Mike O'Brien announced that same-sex partners were eligible for British residency, based on a 4 year relationship akin to marriage.

December

*Annise Parker is elected as an at-large member of the Houston City Council alongside mayoral candidate Lee P. Brown.

Births

Deaths

External links

* Web site for Advocate news magazine
* 365gay.com
* Google search for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender news
*Stonewall's article on immigration rights

Gay rights
Category:LGBT civil rights timeline
Category:Years in gay rights