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Harvard University Homosexual Purge
In the 1920's, Harvard University had a secret court to purge all of the homosexual men from the institution. -
The Society for Human Rights
Henry Gerber forms the Society for Human Rights. This was the first gay group in the United States. -
Lesbian Party Arrest
Blueswoman Ma Rainey, in 1925, was arrested at her home in Harlem because she was having a lesbian party. -
The Well of Loneliness
In 1928, British author Radclyffe Hall publishes her lesbian novel called The Well of Loneliness. -
Sexuality Study
Alfred Kinsey, an American biologist and sexologist, conducted a study of sexual behavior in the United States from the 1940's-1950's. -
The City and the Pillar
Novelist Gore Vidal published his book The City and the Pillar in 1948 about a young man coming of age and finding out he is a homosexual. -
The Mattachine Society
Located in Los Angeles, California, The Mattachine Society was founded. This was one of the earliest LGBT/gay rights organizations in the United States, second only to the Society for Human Rights. -
The Daughters of Bilitis
First lesbian civil and political rights organization in the United States, The Daughters of Bilitis was formed in San Francisco in 1955. -
Giovanni's Room
Giovanni's Room, written by James Baldwin, was about an American man living in Paris having feelings and frustrations with his relationship about other men in his life. When he goes to a Parisian gay bar, he meets an Italian bartender named Giovanni. -
Removal of Sodomy Law
Illinois becomes the first U.S. state to remove the sodomy law, the law that defines certain sexual acts as crimes, from its criminal code. -
"I Have A Dream!"
Bayard Rustin was the chief organizer of the historic March on Washington, which culminated in the "I Have A Dream" speech. Rustin fought for peace, equal rights, and freedom for LGBT individuals. -
Compton Cafeteria Riot
In San Francisco, 1966, the Compton Cafeteria Riot was the first LGBT related riot in United States' history. This was the beginning of transgender activism. -
Los Angeles Advocate
In 1967, the Los Angeles Advocate was founded to help fight for LGBT equality, civil rights, and freedom. This developed a new generation of leaders, domestically and internationally strengthening the LGBT movement. -
Stonewall Riots
Police raid the Stonewall Inn in New York City in the early hours of June 28. This leads to four days of struggle between police and LGBTQ people. Transgender people, LGBTQ people of color, and youth are a major part of these riots that mark the birth of the modern LGBTQ movement. -
The Gay Liberation March
The Gay Liberation March, or Christopher Street Liberation Day, marked the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. This was the first Gay Pride march in United States' history covering 51 blocks to Central Park. -
David Bowie
In a magazine interview David Bowie, singer-songwriter, comes out as gay. -
Removed As A Disorder
After a vote of 13-0, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of disorders. It then disappears from the DSM in 1987. -
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of civil rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals,and transgender individuals. This organization was founded in 1973. -
The Upstairs Lounge Fire
A gay bar called the UpStairs Lounge, located on a second floor, was set ablaze in New Orleans, Louisiana. Thirty-two people died from the fire and smoke. -
Elton John
In a Rolling Stone interview, singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, Elton John comes out as bisexual. He later admits he's gay. -
Renee Richards Banned!
Renee Richards, an ophthalmologist and professional tennis player, was banned from competing in the women's U.S. Open because of gender reassignment surgery in 1975. -
Harvey Milk
In 1977, Harvey Milk becomes the first gay person to be elected to public office in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.A year later he was assassinated. -
"Save Our Children"
Save Our Children, Inc. was a political coalition formed in 1977 in Miami, Florida to overturn a recently legislated county ordinance that banned discrimination in areas of housing, employment, and public accommodation based on sexual orientation. The coalition was publicly headed by celebrity singer Anita Bryant, who claimed the ordinance discriminated against her right to teach her children biblical morality. -
First Rainbow Flag
in 1978, Gilbert Baker, artist and gay rights activist, created the first rainbow flag. -
Gay Rights as a Political Stance
In 1980, Democrats were the first political party to add "gay rights" into their platform. -
Gay-Related Immune Deficiency
Doctors identify the first cases of Gay-Related Immune Deficiency, currently known as AIDS. -
Infected
By 1982, nearly 800 people were infected with GRID. This later becomes AIDS by year's end. -
Rock Hudson
In 1985, actor Rock Hudson acknowledges that he had AIDS. He died the same year due to AIDS related complications. -
ACT UP
AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power or ACT UP is an international political group working to end the AIDS pandemic. This group helps improve the lives of people with AIDS through direct action, medical research, treatment, and advocacy. -
Billy Tipton Dies
Billy Tipton (December 29, 1914 – January 21, 1989) was an American jazz musician, bandleader, and talent broker. For decades, Tipton assumed a male gender identity. Tipton's female birth sex was not publicly revealed until after his death, and the revelation came as a surprise to family and friends. -
Ellen
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres, an American comedian and the host of Ellen, came out as gay. -
Matthew Shepard Tortured
Matthew Shepard, a gay American student at the University of Wyoming was beaten, tied to a fence, and then left overnight. He later died from his injuries. His sexual orientation played as a motive for the crime. He was 21 years old. -
Recognize Civil Unions
Vermont became the first state to legally recognize civil unions, which encompassed the same legal rights and responsibilities as marriage. -
Lawrence v. Texas -- US Supreme Court Ruling
The United States court overturns sodomy laws, decriminalizing consensual behavior across the country. -
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes and Prevention Act
As a response to the murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr., who were killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes and Prevention Act was created and signed into law by President Barack Obama. -
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Don't Ask, Don't Tell was issued in 1993 which allowed gays, bisexuals, and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they remained closeted. This policy was in effect until September 20, 2011 when it was repealed. -
Truvada
The FDA approves Truvada to be taken as a daily prevention for people who are at risk of getting HIV. -
DOMA and California's Proposition 8 Struck Down
DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act), a law which prohibits same-sex marriage, is struck down by the Supreme Court along with California's Proposition 8. -
Protection for Transgender Students Under Title IX
The Department of Education issues clarification that transgender students are covered under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity. -
Laverne Cox Wins an Emmy
Laverne Cox, star of series Orange is The New Black, becomes the first transgender person to win an Emmy award. -
The U.S. Department of Health Removes Lifetime Ban
The United States Department of Health removes the lifetime ban on blood donation from gay men, moving to a deferral period of 12 months. -
License To Marry
The Supreme Court rules that states are constitutionally required to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples, legalizing marriage equality in all 50 states. -
Eric Fanning
Eric Fanning was confirmed as Secretary of the Army as the first openly gay service secretary. -
Honor LGBT Rights Movement
President Obama dedicates a Stonewall National Monument in Greenwich Village, Lower Manhattan, as the first U.S. National Monument to honor the LGBTQ rights movement. -
Matthew Shepard -- Rest in Peace
Matthew Shepard, murdered for being gay in 1998, was finally laid to rest in Washington National Cathedral. -
Gay and Trans Panic Banned
New York Governor Andrew Cuono signed a law banning the use of the gay and trans panic legal defense strategy. -
Billy Porter
Billy Porter an American Broadway theater performer, signer, and actor, became the first openly gay black man to win an Emmy award for best lead actor in a drama series.
