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The Stonewall riots
A police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, turned into a riot spanning three days, when the patrons of the bar decided to fight back. This event sparked a widespread movement for gay rights. -
The APA removes homosexuality from list of mental disorders
The American Psychiatric Association Board of Trustees voted in favor of the motion to delete homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. -
Harvey Milk becomes member of San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Openly gay, Harvey Milk is elected as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors against 16 other candidates. -
Harvey Milk assasinated by Dan White
Dan White kills Harvey Milk after resigning from his position as a city supervisor and then failing to regain his position again due to the clashing of his conservative views with the ever more liberal leaning Board of Supervisors. -
75,000 people participate in National March on Washington
75,000 people gathered in the National March on Washington which is to date, the largest gathering in support of gay rights in this country. -
Vermont becomes first state to recognize same-sex civil unions
Vermont lagalizes same-sex civil unions, granting gay and lesbian couples all the same rights provided in traditional marriage but without calling it marriage. -
President Obama awards Harvey Milk the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Just over thirty years after he was assasinated, Harvey Milk is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. -
President Obama repeals "Don't ask, Don't tell"
The Clinton-era military policy that allows gays to serve in the military, on the condition that they remain quiet about their sexuality, is repealed, allowing gays to serve openly. -
President Obama endorses same-sex marriage
President Barack Obama makes the statement, "It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married". -
Defense of Marriage Act ruled unconstitutional
The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act is ruled unconstitutional in a 5 to 4 vote. It is reasoned that DOMA is a violation of the rights of gays and lesbians. It also interferes with state's rights to define their own marriage laws.
