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Stonewall Riots
The stonewall riots began after police invaded an unlicensed gay bar in New York. The riots lasted for days and were triggered by the police force's harrassment towards gays. This is considered the beginning of the gay rights movement. -
First Gay Pride Parades
On the anniversery of the Stonewall riots, gay pride parades are held in four cities. New York, Chicago, San Fransisco, and Los Angeles. After this, more pride parades starting occuring all over the United States. -
Homosexuality no longer a mental disorder
The American Pyschology Association board of trustee's votes to remove homosexuality from it's manual of mental disorders. A few years later members of the APA formed the association of gay and lesbian pyschiatrists. -
The AIDS crisis
Gay advocacy groups form to deal with the crisis gripping the community amid a slow government response to AIDS and the linking of the disease with gay men. AIDS is a disease where there is severe loss of the body’s cellular immunity, greatly lowering the resistance to infection. It is sexually transmitted. -
Congressman comes out
Rep. Barney Frank becomes the first openly gay member of Congress. Twenty-five years later, in July 2012, he married his longtime partner, Jim Ready. Frank advocated for the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act, which passed in 2008, and became one of the highlights of his career. Frank also re-introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating based on someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill did not pass. -
"Don't Ask Don't Tell"
Bill Clinton passed this policy that prevented gays from openly serving in the military. Many people were expelled from the armed forces because of this policy. Obama repealed the policy in 2011. -
Congress bans federal recognition of same sex marriage (DOMA)
This law that was passed banned sae sex couples from the opportunity to file joint taxes and the protections of the Family Medical and Leave Act, and it blocks surviving spouses from accessing veterans’ benefits, among other things. Bill Clinton signed the legislation, but recently asked the Supreme Court to repeal it. The law was declared unconsitutional in 2013. -
Boy Scouts bans gays
The supreme court ruled that the Boy Scouts of America can ban gay scouts and leaders from membership. Their defense to the right to band was that Boy Scouts is a private organization and it has the right to do so. -
Massachusettes legalizes gay marriage
Massachusettes was the first state in the USA to legalize gay marriage. Since then, 12 more states have legalized same sex marriage. -
Hate Crimes prevention act
President Obama signed over this act named after two victims of hate crimes, Matthew Shephard and James Byrd. The hate crimes prevention law requires FBI to track hate crimes based on gender and gender identity.