Since the Task Force began tracking activity in state legislatures in 1995, the number of GLBT related measures has increased each year. The intensity of these activities also remains high.

"1997 was an unequivocal step forward on our march to justice," stated Kerry Lobel, Task Force executive director. "We've long known that the states and local communities are not only the barometer for the state of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights in America; they are the eye of the storm," added Lobel.

New Hampshire and Maine's passage of comprehensive civil rights laws for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals, Washington State's statewide ballot initiative to ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation - the first such measure ever in the country - were some of the year's highlights. (Washington's initiative was defeated, and Maine's law will be put to a vote on February 10th.)

Also, the passage in 1997 of major domestic partnership initiatives in the state of Hawaii and the cities of San Francisco and Chicago, coupled with a record number of favorable domestic partner bills introduced, reflects the growing importance of family issues in the GLBT community. The continued push forward for the freedom to marry during the past year was also a critical component in the effort for full recognition of GLBT families.

In the meantime, the right wing's rallying around a homophobic state adoption worker in Texas is indicative of the attacks on GLBT families that occurred in state legislatures in 1997 and foretells a likely increase in such attacks during the 1998 state legislative session.

The Task Force Tracked 248 pieces of legislation (compared with 160 in 1996):

* 128 pieces of legislation classified as favorable appeared in 38 states (compared with 61 in 25 states in 1996).

* 120 pieces of legislation classified as unfavorable appeared in 44 states (compared with 99 in 40 states in 1996).

* When marriage bills are removed, the figures show 124 favorable measures and 74 unfavorable measures (compared with 56 and 50, respectively, in 1996).

* The 46 anti-marriage bills represented 38% of the unfavorable bills introduced, and 53% of all the unfavorable that were passed into law.

* HIV/AIDS measures represented the largest percentage (23%) of the favorable measures introduced as well as passed (38%).

* Civil rights measures represented the second largest percentage of favorable bills introduced (20%) and 8% of the favorable bills passed.

For a copy of Capital Gains and Losses: A State by State Review of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and HIV/AIDS Related Legislation in 1997, or for contact information of statewide political organizations, contact NGLTF's media director at (202) 332-6483 ext. 3314.