Best LGBT Moments of 2014: Michael Sam, Laverne Cox and More

Highlighting a year of groundbreaking events.

Best LGBT Moments of 2014: A Year of Groundbreaking Events - This year was huge for the LGBT community as barriers have continued to be broken. From Michael Sam's coming out to Laverne Cox's history-making TIME magazine cover, we have highlighted the biggest LGBT moments of 2014.— By Moriba Cummings(Photos from left: Ed Zurga/Getty Images, Rommel Demano/Getty Images for The Daily Front Row)

1 / 13

Best LGBT Moments of 2014: A Year of Groundbreaking Events - This year was huge for the LGBT community as barriers have continued to be broken. From Michael Sam's coming out to Laverne Cox's history-making TIME magazine cover, we have highlighted the biggest LGBT moments of 2014.— By Moriba Cummings(Photos from left: Ed Zurga/Getty Images, Rommel Demano/Getty Images for The Daily Front Row)

Photo By Photos from left: Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Michael Sam Comes Out - In February 2014, the now free agent came out as gay to the public in an interview with the New York Times. "Once I became official to my teammates, I knew who I was," he said. "I knew that I was gay, and I knew that I was Michael Sam, who's a Mizzou football player who happens to be gay." Sam is currently in a relationship with boyfriend Vito Cammisano.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

2 / 13

Michael Sam Comes Out - In February 2014, the now free agent came out as gay to the public in an interview with the New York Times. "Once I became official to my teammates, I knew who I was," he said. "I knew that I was gay, and I knew that I was Michael Sam, who's a Mizzou football player who happens to be gay." Sam is currently in a relationship with boyfriend Vito Cammisano.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

BEST: Laverne Cox Covers TIME - There's no doubt the Orange is the New Black actress has had an amazing year (an Emmy nomination, a book deal and a huge spike in her fan base are just a few of the things she can celebrate), but the highlight had to be landing the cover of TIME. Cox continues to be not only a great spokesperson for the trans community, but one of the most compelling public figures in the world.(Photo: Time Magazine, June 2014)

3 / 13

Laverne Cox Covers TIME Magazine - Orange Is the New Black actress Laverne Cox made history this year as the first ever transgender woman to cover TIME magazine. Gracing the cover of the publication's June issue, Cox spoke candidly about life as a transwoman: "People need to be willing to let go of what they think they know about what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman."(Photo: Time Magazine, June 2014)

Janet Mock Becomes a New York Times Bestseller - In February 2014, transgender activist Janet Mock released Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More and its success was incredible. Soon after its initial release, the book made the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover nonfiction and made Mock as a bona fide activist of self-love and trans-acceptance.(Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Marie Claire)

4 / 13

Janet Mock Becomes a New York Times Bestseller - In February 2014, transgender activist Janet Mock released Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More and its success was incredible. Soon after its initial release, the book made the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover nonfiction and made Mock as a bona fide activist of self-love and trans-acceptance.(Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Marie Claire)

Brittney Griner Proposes to Girlfriend - After coming out in 2013, Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has been living openly and happily with girlfriend and fellow WNBA star Glory Johnson. To prove her love, Griner proposed to Johnson in August, getting down on one knee before their friends and families.(Photo: Brittney Griner via Instagram)

5 / 13

Brittney Griner Proposes to Girlfriend - After coming out in 2013, Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has been living openly and happily with girlfriend and fellow WNBA star Glory Johnson. To prove her love, Griner proposed to Johnson in August, getting down on one knee before their friends and families.(Photo: Brittney Griner via Instagram)

ADVERTISEMENT
Raven Symoné on her gay marriage/coming out tweet: - "I'll just say [that] I love my LGBT community and I'm a part of them for always." (Photo: Nikki Nelson/WENN.com)

6 / 13

No Labels for Raven - Former Disney star Raven-Symoné may have publicly come out this year, confirming her relationship with girlfriend and former America's Next Top Model contestant AzMarie Livingston, but don't use that as an invitation to label her as "gay." Speaking with Oprah in October, she said, "I don't want to be labeled 'gay.' I want to be labeled 'a human who loves humans.'"(Photo: Nikki Nelson/WENN.com)

Same-Sex Marriage Allowed in More States - In 2014 alone, more than 15 states have legalized same-sex marriages by way of court decision or state legislature. Some of the states that now allow same-sex unions include Alaska, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Nevada.(Photo: REUTERS/Jacob Slaton)

7 / 13

Same-Sex Marriage Allowed in More States - In 2014 alone, more than 15 states have legalized same-sex marriages by way of court decision or state legislature. Some of the states that now allow same-sex unions include Alaska, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Nevada.(Photo: REUTERS/Jacob Slaton)

Tim Cook Comes Out - Apple CEO Tim Cook came out in October, saying that he is "proud to be gay," making him the first openly gay leader of a major U.S. company. In a revealing piece that he wrote for BusinessWeek, Cook cited Dr. King. "I believe deeply in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: 'Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

8 / 13

Tim Cook Comes Out - Apple CEO Tim Cook came out in October, saying that he is "proud to be gay," making him the first openly gay leader of a major U.S. company. In a revealing piece that he wrote for BusinessWeek, Cook cited Dr. King. "I believe deeply in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: 'Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Queen Latifah Marries Same-Sex Couples at Grammys - At the top of the year, during the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Queen Latifah played a major role in arguably the night's most memorable moment. She officiated the live nuptials of 33 couples, both gay and straight, during a performance of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's hit "Same Love."(PhoKevork Djansezian/Getty Images)to:

9 / 13

Queen Latifah Marries Same-Sex Couples at Grammys - At the top of the year, during the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Queen Latifah played a major role in arguably the night's most memorable moment. She officiated the live nuptials of 33 couples, both gay and straight, during a performance of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's hit "Same Love."(PhoKevork Djansezian/Getty Images)to:

Djuan Trent Comes Out - Miss Kentucky 2010 Djuan Trent came out as a lesbian in March, becoming the first national pageant contestant to do so. In an announcement posted to her blog, she said, "I have finally realized: 'There ain't nothin' to it, but to do it.' So, here we go folks... I am queer."(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

10 / 13

Djuan Trent Comes Out - Miss Kentucky 2010 Djuan Trent came out as a lesbian in March, becoming the first national pageant contestant to do so. In an announcement posted to her blog, she said, "I have finally realized: 'There ain't nothin' to it, but to do it.' So, here we go folks... I am queer."(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
RuPaul Shuts Down Transphobic Accusations - It is no secret that RuPaul is an LGBT icon in every sense of the word, so when word got out that the Logo network had apparently "distanced" itself from him after he defended the use of a transgender slur, many were left confused. Setting the record straight, RuPaul said, "I've been a 'tranny' for 32 years. The word 'Tranny' has never just meant transsexual... It's not the word itself, but the intention behind the word."(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

11 / 13

RuPaul Shuts Down Transphobic Accusations - It is no secret that RuPaul is an LGBT icon in every sense of the word, so when word got out that the Logo network had apparently "distanced" itself from him after he defended the use of a transgender slur, many were left confused. Setting the record straight, RuPaul said, "I've been a 'tranny' for 32 years. The word 'Tranny' has never just meant transsexual... It's not the word itself, but the intention behind the word."(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

Fly Young Red Causes a Stir - Openly gay rapper Franklin Freeman Randall, better known by his stage name Fly Young Red, became the topic of national headlines for his controversial song "Throw That Boy P***y." Released in the summer of 2013, the music video instantly went viral, prompting a slew of think pieces. Though many have been waiting for Red's next move, he said exclusively to BET that he's not ready for a record deal just yet.(Photo: Young Fly Red Music)

12 / 13

Fly Young Red Causes a Stir - Openly gay rapper Franklin Freeman Randall, better known by his stage name Fly Young Red, became the topic of national headlines for his controversial song "Throw That Boy P***y." Released in the summer of 2013, the music video instantly went viral, prompting a slew of think pieces. Though many have been waiting for Red's next move, he said exclusively to BET that he's not ready for a record deal just yet.(Photo: Young Fly Red Music)

Derrick Gordon Comes Out - Derrick Gordon, a sophomore starter for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team, came out in April, becoming the first openly gay male NCAA Division 1 basketball player. In a personal statement, Gordon, 22, said, "I've always loved sports, but always felt I had to hide and be someone that I'm not... I am telling my story so that athletes never feel like they have to hide."(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for GLAAD)

13 / 13

Derrick Gordon Comes Out - Derrick Gordon, a sophomore starter for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team, came out in April, becoming the first openly gay male NCAA Division 1 basketball player. In a personal statement, Gordon, 22, said, "I've always loved sports, but always felt I had to hide and be someone that I'm not... I am telling my story so that athletes never feel like they have to hide."(Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for GLAAD)