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Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall Riots occurred on this day in New York. The NY police, black transgender women, and gay men clashed violently over raids in the area-- the issue was gay rights. Arguably, this event is the catalyst for gay rights in America. A film was created in 2015 about the riots, but controversy and accusations of whitewashing diminished its impact. -
AIDS Epidemic Begins in United States
The AIDS epidemic began in 1978. Throughout the ensuing years until the present, AIDS became a crisis thought to be a "gay disease". Its stigma still exists today. -
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
On this day, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was enacted. This entails service members not to disclose their sexuality-- if they do, they may be discharged from their chosen service base (i.e., Marines, Navy, Army, etc.) -
First Same Sex Marriage in MA
The first same sex marriage-- not just a civil union, which is different from a marriage and offers less social benefits-- occurred on this day between Marcia Kadish and Tanya McCloskey. -
Gay Marriage Legalized
Gay marriage was legalized in every single state of the United States. And though violence and bigotry is still enacted against the LGBT+ population, as demonstrated by the Pulse nightclub shooting, transmisogyny, and daily microagressions, this is a major event in both US and LGBT+ history.
