-
Period: to
LGBT Civil Rights History
-
First Gay Organization
The Society for Human Rights in Chicago becomes the country's earliest known gay rights organization -
Book creates an awaking about Homosexuality among men
Alfred Kinsey publishes Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, exposing to the public that homosexuality is more widespread than believed -
The Mattachine Society
The Mattachine Society, the first national gay rights organization, is founded by Harry Hay, considered to be the founder of the gay rights movement. -
Daughters of Bilitis
The Daughters of Bilitis, a pioneering national lesbian organization, is founded. -
Illinois bans Homosexuality
Illinois becomes the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize homosexual acts between consenting adults in private. -
Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall riots transform the gay rights movement from one limited to a small number of activists into a widespread protest for equal rights and acceptance. Patrons of a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village, the Stonewall Inn, fight back during a police raid on June 27, sparking three days of riots. -
Homosexualtiy is no longer a mental disease
The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its official list of mental disorders. -
Wisconsin outlaws Discrimination
Wisconsin becomes the first state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
The “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy is instituted for the U.S. military, permitting gays to serve in the military but banning homosexual activity. President Clinton's original intention to revoke the prohibition against gays in the military was met with stiff opposition; this compromise, which has led to the discharge of thousands of men and women in the armed forces, was the result. -
Romer vs. Evans
In Romer v. Evans, the Supreme Court strikes down Colorado's Amendment 2, which denied gays and lesbians protections against discrimination, calling them “special rights.” According to Justice Anthony Kennedy, “We find nothing special in the protections Amendment 2 withholds. These protections . . . constitute ordinary civil life in a free society.” -
Vermont legalizes equality for Homosexuals
Vermont becomes the first state in the country to legally recognize civil unionsbetween gay or lesbian couples. The law states that these “couples would be entitled to the same benefits, privileges, and responsibilities as spouses.” It stops short of referring to same-sex unions as marriage, which the state defines as heterosexual -
Lawrence vs. Texas
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Lawrence v. Texas that sodomy laws in the U.S. are unconstitutional. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote, “Liberty presumes an autonomy of self that includes freedom of thought, belief, expression, and certain intimate conduct.” -
Massachusetts ruled LGBTs from marrying is Unconstitutional
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that barring gays and lesbians from marrying violates the state constitution. The Massachusetts Chief Justice concluded that to “deny the protections, benefits, and obligations conferred by civil marriage” to gay couples was unconstitutional because it denied “the dignity and equality of all individuals” and made them “second-class citizens.” Strong opposition followed the ruling. -
Massachusetts allows same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriages become legal in Massachusetts -
Equal Rights ensured By House
House of Representatives approves a bill ensuring equal rights in the workplace for gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals. -
Oregon passes Same-sex marriage
the state of Oregon passes a law that allows same-sex couples to register as domestic partners allowing them some spousal rights of married couples. -
Califonia passes law for Same-sex marriage
California Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry -
Arkansas bans adoption
Arkansas passed a measure intended to bar gay men and lesbians from adopting children. -
End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy
U.S. Senate voted 65 to 31 in favor of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Clinton-era military policy that forbids openly gay men and women from serving in the military. Eight Republicans sided with the Democrats to strike down the ban. The ban will not be lifted officially until President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agree that the military is ready to enact the change and that it won't affect military readiness. On
