2000
Clause 2A repealed in Scotland.

Age of consent equalised in the United Kingdom.

German Bundestag officially apologizes to gays and lesbians persecuted under the Nazi regime, and for "harm done to homosexual citizens up to 1969".

Vermont becomes the first U.S. state to legalize civil unions. Israel recognizes same-sex relations for immigration purposes for a foreign partner of Israeli resident.

On 12th. January the British government lifted the ban on homosexuals serving in the armed services.

On 26th. July the report Setting the Boundaries was published by the Sexual Offences Review Group .

On 31st. July a European Court of Human Rights ruling on the case of 'ADT' meant that UK sexual offences law would have to be redrafted.
2001
In April the first UK-based web site for black LGBT was launched. http://www.ukblackout.com .

On 6th. September the first same-sex partnerships were registered in London

Same-sex union legalized in Germany, some of the same rights as marriage given

Same-sex marriage in the Netherlands legalized.
2002
On 10th. March the first UK national Pop Idol winner Will Young came out publicly as gay in The News of the World .

On 29th. July Alan Duncan became the first serving British Conservative Party MP to come out publicly as gay through his own choice.

Zurich extends marriage-like rights to same sex couples.

Controversial openly gay Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn is assassinated by Volkert van der Graaf.
2003
Section 28 repealed in England and Wales.

SCOTUS strikes down U.S. sodomy laws.

Same-sex marriage in Belgium legalized.

Same-sex marriage in Canada introduced.

Germany's Supreme Court upheld the country's civil union law which gives some of the benefits of marriage to registered same-sex couples.
2004
Same-sex marriage in the United States:

Massachusetts legalizes same-sex marriage in May while eleven other U.S. states ban the practice through public referenda in the November elections;

Civil unions in Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul now accepts civil unions;

Domestic partnerships in New Jersey legalized in July.

In Canada, 85% of the population lived in a province or territory with same-sex marriage.

Australia bans same-sex marriage, while New Zealand passes the Civil Union Bill
2005
Iranian youths Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni executed in 2005 reportedly because they had been caught having sex with each other.

Same-sex marriage in the United States:

California extends some marriage rights to same-sex couples.

ERASE THE HATE is formed by Tristan Hanscom. Uganda and Latvia amended their constitutions to prohibit same-sex marriage.

Same sex marriage legalized in Canada and Spain.

Two gay male teenagers, Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni, were executed in Iran.

Switzerland voted in favor of extending rights for registered same-sex couples.

South Africa's Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal, under the country's constitution, to ban gay marriages.

André Boisclair is chosen leader of the Parti Québécois, becoming the first openly gay man elected leader of a major political party in North America.

UK introduces Civil partnerships with rights all but equal to marriage.

Maine adds sexual orientation and gender identity to existing anti-discrimination laws.

Mahmoud Asgari (16) and Ayaz Marhoni (18) were tortured and then hanged in Iran for being gay July 19, 2005.
2006
Illinois outlaws sexual orientation discrimination. Washington State adds sexual orientation to existing anti-discrimination laws.