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The Society for Human Rights was Founded
The Society for Human Rights was founded by Henry Gerber, a World War I veteran, in Chicago, Illinois. This group would be known as the first gay rights organization in the United States.
History of the organization: -
The Lavender Scare
The President of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower, signed an executive order that banned all homosexuals from working in the federal government. The men who were confronted about being homosexuals were deemed into giving names of more gay men working for the government. Many years later, those affected were interviewed. -
Illinois Decriminalized Homosexuality
By repealing their sodomy laws, Illinois became the first state to decriminalize homosexuality. -
Stonewall Riots
In Manhattan, New York the police raided a small gay bar, The Stonewall Inn. This was the sixth gay bar that had been raided in Manhattan in three weeks. The gay and lesbian citizens rioted and fought back with police for four days. This was seen as the spark that ignited the gay liberation movement.
How the Stonewall Riots changed the world. -
Lambda Legal Established
Lambda Legal was the first legal organization established to fight for the equal rights for gay and lesbian citizens. -
First Gay Bill Introduced
The first federal rights gay bill was introduced to address the discrimination of people based on their sexual orientation. The bill was passed onto congress; however, it was never considered. -
Harvey Milk Elected City Supervisor
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected city supervisor in San Francisco. His election shed hope that gay people in power or leadership was possible. -
Harvey Milk Assassinated
Harvey Milk, City Supervisor of San Francisco, was murdered by a formal disgruntled supervisor. His death marked a new wave of protests, marches, and gay rights activism. -
March on Washington
The first national March on Washington for lesbian and gay rights was conducted in 1979. This event drew an estimated 75,000 to 125,000 activists from across the nation. The marchers walked to urge Congress to pass the equal civil rights legislature, as well as to demand equal rights. -
"Gay Cancer" Emerged
The AIDS epidemic that swept through the nation in the 1980's was a very political and moral issue in the United States. Society cast blame onto the gays for the rapid spread of disease. There were not many efforts to find a cure or research the disease until mothers and children began becoming infected with the disease. Then, panic and blame turned to activism. -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Bill Clinton signed a military policy that prohibited openly gay men and women from serving in the United States Armed Forces. However, the policy also prohibited the harassment of men and women in the military who were "closeted." -
Defense of Marriage Act
President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibited same-sex marriage. This act defined marriage as, "a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife." -
Banishment of the "Homosexual Conduct Law"
The United States Supreme Court striked the "Homosexual Misconduct Law" which decriminalized same-sex sexual conduct. This helped influence many court cases, as well as reversed one that had previously been ruled. -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is Repealed
Clinton's former military policy is repealed, which enables openly gay men and women to freely serve in the military without fear of harassment, -
Marriage Equality
In 2015, The US Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriages. This allowed gay couples to freely marry in all 50 states without fear of persecution or interruption from government.
