Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning is the first openly gay person to head any branch of the US Military, 5 years after the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Businesses must note that the LGBT market demographic is as diverse as their rainbow flag, if companies want to benefit from their strong buying power.
Dubbed the 'Battle of the Bathroom,' the struggle for transgender equality and the fight against LGBT discrimination centers on trans access to bathrooms.
The slow acceptance LGBT rights worldwide has also led to LGBT athletes coming out of the closet and wearing their sexual or gender identities proudly.
The world marks the International Day Against Homophobia this May 17 in the wake of Bangladesh LGBT magazine publisher Xulhaz Mannan's murder last month.