Feature: The top US LGBT stories of 2012

6 – Mormons show compassion towards gay people

Following 150 Mormons quitting the church in a mass resignation, leaders of the Mormon Church launched a new website which, despite saying the church is still opposed to same-sex marriage, encouraged churchgoers to be more compassionate in discussions over homosexuality.

The website also encouraged gay and lesbian Mormons to stay in the church. It is titled “Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction,” and it claims to reflect the views of the higest authorities of the Mormon Church.

5 – US Supreme Court agrees to take on marriage equality cases

The US Supreme Court said it was to decide whether the bans on gay couples marrying across many parts of the United States are unconstitutional.

Having delayed twice, some have speculated that the court will rule on the Defense of Marriage Act next summer.

4 – Boy Scouts of America faces backlash after retaining its ban on gay members, volunteers and staff

In July, after a two year review, the BSA announced it would retain its ban on gay members, volunteers and staff.

Ryan Andresen joined the scouts when he was six, completed all of the requirements for the Eagle Scout Badge, which included building a 288-tile “tolerance wall” for victims of bullying, such as himself, but was refused the badge, once the work was completed.

Karen Andresen, 49, Ryan’s mother, had started a petition on Change.org to have her son awarded the badge, which contained around 430,000 signatures, and which was presented back to the BSA, in order to urge it to change its policy.

After appearing as a guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show, the 18-year-old Boy Scout was awarded a $20,000 (£12,476) scholarship towards his college fees.

The BSA subsequently lost funding from Merck, Intel, and UPS, as well as other major donors, on the back of maintaining the discriminatory policy.