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Society for Human Rights
The Society for Human Rights was founded by Henry Gerber. It was located in Chicago, and is the first documented gay rights group in the United States. Gerber immigrated from Germany, and was inspired in the 1920s when he encountered a German gay rights group while serving for the US army. He realized that the United States lacked an organization like this, and was inspired to form his own gay rights group. -
American Psychiatric Association lists homosexuality as a diagnosed mental health disorder
In DSM-II, homosexuality was listed as a mental health disorder. Therefore, steps were taken in an attempt to "cure" homosexual tendencies, thoughts, and behaviors. Social norms during the time, religious beliefs, as well as views of famous psychologists such as Sigmund Freud led homosexuality to be included on this list. It was listed as a "sociopathic personality disturbance". -
Daughters of Bilitis (DOB)
The Daughters of Bilitis is the first known lesbian rights organization in the United States. It was first founded by only four women in San Fransisco as a safe space for lesbians to meet, yet evolved into a political group rather than a social one. In 1956, they published the first issue of The Ladder, a lesbian serial, which became an important way to spread information to lesbians all across the U.S. -
Supreme Court ruled in favor of LGBT rights for the first time
ONE vs. Olesen was a court case that occurred when the U.S. post office banned a gay magazine, ONE. The U.S. Post Office, as well as the FBI, felt "the material included in the publication was obscene" (One, Inc. v Olsen- 1958). The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the magazine, and therefore this court case was a huge win for the LGBT community in their search for free speech for all people. -
Illinois Decriminalizes Homosexuality
Illinois was the first state to repeal its sodomy laws and decriminalize homosexuality. It stated that this behavior between "consenting adults in private" was legal. This repeal marked the beginning of the venture for other states to decriminalize homosexuality, although it would be several years later before this became possible. -
Stonewall Inn
Police raided Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City on June 28th, 1969, which led to a series of riots and violent protests. The LGBT community was tired of their bars being targeted by the police. That night was a turning point for the LGBT movement, and as John O'Brian, a gay individual at Stonewall, states "In the Civil Rights Movement, we ran from the police, in the peace movement, we ran from the police. That night, the police ran from us, the lowliest of the low. And it was fantastic." -
First Pride Parade
The first LGBT pride parade was held in New York City on the one year anniversary of the stonewall riots. Michael Brown, who founded the Gay Liberation Front immediately following the Stonewall riots, was at the frontline in forming and organizing the parade. -
Homosexuality is Removed From List of Mental Health Disorders
The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the list of mental health disorders in 1973, and therefore it was no longer deemed a mental illness. This was largely due to changes in social norms, and the majority of psychiatrists in the association voted to remove homosexuality. -
AIDS Epidemic
The AIDS epidemic takes hold in the United States, killing hundreds of gay men. AIDS becomes labeled as a "gay man's disease". It was believed in the early stages that AIDS was strictly a sexually transmitted disease, and homophobia and homophobic beliefs within the country limited the focus and attention spent to stopping, slowing, and preventing the epidemic and efforts towards finding a cure. HIV and discrimination go hand in hand. -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Clinton signed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy, which lifted the ban on homosexual individuals serving in the service. However, openly gay individuals were banned from serving, and therefore could not discuss or engage in homosexual behavior and officers could not ask soldiers about their sexual orientation. Although the policy appeared to be intended to promote change, many gay and lesbian officers were still discharged or forced into secrecy. -
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, banning same-sex marriage and defining marriage as between one man and one woman. This law prohibited same sex couples from receiving the same benefits as heterosexual couples and collecting federal benefits. -
Vermont Legalizes Civil Union Between Same-Sex Couples
Vermont is the first state to legalize civil unions between individuals of the same sex. Therefore, homosexual couples are able to receive the same rights to benefits as legal marriages between heterosexual, opposite-sex individuals. Many other states soon followed. Although this was a step in the right direction, the LGBT community continued to push for full equality and the ability to marry. -
First Legal Same Sex Marriage
On May 17th, 2004, Massachusetts recognized same sex marriage and was the first state in the United States to do so. Marcia Kadish and Tanya McCloskey were the first couple to be married, and many other couples followed throughout the course of the day. Although there was some backlash by conservatives, it was a monumental day for the LGBT community and prompted many states to follow their Massachusett's lead in legalizing same sex marriage. -
Hate Crimes Bill Passed
President Obama signs a Hate Crimes Bill which makes it a federal crime to assault someone on the basis of their sexual orientation, religion, gender identity, or race. The act was named after Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr., two victims who passed away from hate crimes. The death of Matthew Shepard in 1998, an openly gay student at the University of Wyoming, is considered one of the worst hate crimes in the nation's history to be committed against LGBTQ+ individuals. -
End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is repealed under President Obama. Openly gay individuals can serve for their country in the military. As Obama stated that day, "The ability of service members to be open and honest about their families and the people they love honors the integrity of the individuals who serve, strengthens the institutions they serve." -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Obergefell v. Hodges was the supreme court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. This was a huge step toward equality in all parts of the country for the LGBT community, and largely occurred due to wide spread social beliefs. Obama stated following the decision, "...this ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts: when all Americans are treated as equal we are all more free.” -
Transgender Bathroom Bill
Obama rules that all schools must allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their gender identity or the bathroom that makes them most comfortable. The Justice and Education Department supported the decision and felt that under Title XI and the 1972 Education Acts, no student should be discriminated against on the basis of gender identity. Trump, however, rescinds this protection for transgender students. -
GLAAD Adds "Q" to LGBT
GLAAD added "Q" to the end of LGBT to make the term inclusive of the queer community and expanding the term as identities continue to grow and expand. This change was controversial, as "queer" historically has had a negative connotation. However, the LGBT community has begun to reclaim that title as their own.
