National Gaze

President Barack Obama. – Photo: Courtesy

The state of the union is strong, but can be even stronger with "a return to the American values of fair play and shared responsibility," President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union address on Jan. 24.

ICONIC KISS: The full repeal of ''don't ask, don't tell'' in September paved the way for this historic kiss in December. – Photo: AP/The Virginian-Pilot/Brian J. Clark

The year ending Dec. 31 proved that LGBT Americans are on an inevitable path to equality. WiG's picks for top national stories of the year, in order of importance, are:

Photo: istockphoto.com

Put away the pepper spray. Back off the $3 waffle-maker. And join the Black Friday Resistance Army's campaign for good giving during the holiday season.

Marine Gen. James F. Amos. – Photo: Courtesy

Marine Gen. James F. Amos, the face of opposition in the military to lifting the ban on gays serving openly, now acknowledges his concern that repeal would undermine the war effort has proven unfounded. In fact, he says, Marines have embraced the change.

The Rev. Patricia Downing looks on as Patricia Goodman, left, and her partner Drew Fennell, right, prepare to kiss after becoming the first couple to unite under Delaware's new civil-union law -- which they helped to write -- at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Del., Jan 1. Goodman and Fennell have been partners for 14 years. Goodman is a lawyer who led Equality Delaware's fight for the civil union law. Fennell heads the Delaware Criminal Justice Council and formerly led the ACLU's Delaware chapter. – Photo: AP/The Wilmington News-Journal, Fred Comegys

Gay and lesbian couples rang in 2012 with exchanges of rings under new civil union laws in Hawaii and Delaware.

Make the yuletide especially gay this year with gifts such as a Chippendales calendar. – Photo: Courtesy

As a loss for what to give this holiday season? These gifts will keep the yultide especially gay.

To become a part of Milwaukee's senior gay community, join SAGE/Milwaukee. Go to www.sagemilwaukee.org to learn more. – Photo: Stock

Many LGBT seniors fear discrimination, disrespect or worse by health care workers and residents of elder housing facilities, ultimately leading many back into the closet after years of being open, experts say.

Gay soldier Bradley Manning faced a preliminary hearing in late December. He now awaits word on whether he will face court martial. – Photo: SaveBradley

More than 20 prosecution witnesses and two defense witnesses testified in late December at a hearing to determine whether Army Pfc. Bradley Manning will face a court martial. Manning is accused of giving secret documents to WikiLeaks.

Judge Vaughn Walker. – Photo: Associated Press

The courtroom battle over Proposition 8 resumed on Dec. 8, with proponents and opponents of the anti-marriage equality amendment arguing over whether videotapes of the California trial should be released.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks on the future of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., on Nov. 8. – Photo: U.S. State Department

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called on the world to create an AIDS-free generation, setting a monumental policy priority in a speech to scientists at the National Institutes for Health prior to World AIDS Day.