Gay Rights History in America

History typically censors the LGBT community; in fact, it’s the only history not taught at home, in public schools, or in religious communities. However, stories of struggle and perseverance always find a voice. In the 20th and 21st centuries, Americans saw several landmark cases and free-thinking revolutionaries that changed the landscape for LGBT people. Below is a timeline highlighting the people and movements that shaped modern gay rights history.

[toc]

1924

German immigrant Henry Gerber founds The Society for Human Rights in Chicago. As a result, it is the country’s earliest known gay rights organization.

1950

A group of Los Angeles men including Harry Hay found The Mattachine Society. In fact, history considers Harry Hay as the founder of the gay rights movement.

1955

In San Francisco, The Daughters of Bilitis, the first American lesbian-rights organization, rises amidst waves of militant struggles.

1962

Illinois decriminalizes private, homosexual acts between consenting adults. Incidentally, is the first state to do so.

1966

The National Transsexual Counseling Unit establishes in San Francisco. In fact, it is the world’s first transgender organization in gay right’s history.

1969

Patrons of the Stonewall Inn, a popular Greenwich Village gay bar, fight back against an unjust police raid, sparking riots from June 27th through the 30th. As a consequence, the riots prove to unite LGBT activists into a single cause for equal rights and acceptance in gay rights history.

1977

A civil rights ordinance making sexual orientation discrimination illegal in Dade County passes. On the other hand, the Save Our Children campaign led by singer Anita Bryant launches against the ordinance. Consequently, 70% of citizens vote to overturn the law in a special election, marking a painful blow for gay rights history.

1978

Harvey Milk wins the election for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and sponsors a civil rights bill outlawing sexual orientation discrimination. Finally, Mayor Moscone signs the bill into law. Meanwhile, California’s Proposition 6, also known as the Briggs Initiative, proposes to fire any public educator who supports gay rights. However, voters reject the proposition by more than a million votes on election day. On November 27, Dan White assassinates Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone.

1979

In October, about 75,000 marchers participate in the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Washington, D.C.

1993

The U.S. military institutes the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, banning “homosexual activity.”  As a result, the policy leads to the discharge of thousands of men and women in the armed forces.

1996

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage for federal purposes as between a man and a woman. Consequently, it also allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages.

2000

Vermont legally recognizes civil unions between gay or lesbian couples; is the first state to do so in gay rights history.

2003

The U.S. Supreme Court rules In Lawrence v. Texas; the U.S. Supreme Court rules that sodomy laws are unconstitutional.

2007

The House of Representatives approves a bill ensuring equal rights for gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals in the workplace.

2008

People in Arizona, Florida, and California vote to approve measures that ban same-sex marriage. California’s measure is Proposition 8.

2009

President Obama completes his first major initiative in a campaign promise to improve gay rights history. Incidentally, he signs a referendum allowing the same-sex partners of federal employees to receive partial benefits, not including full health coverage.

2010

The U.S. Senate repeals “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” President Obama officially repeals the military policy on December 18th.

2012

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California rules 2–1 that the 2008 referendum Proposition 8 is unconstitutional as it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

2013

The state of Rhode Island legalizes same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court decides its first case ever on the issue of gay marriage. On June 26th, the Court rules that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.

2015

As a result of Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples have the right to marry. Furthermore, states cannot say that heterosexual couples reserve the right to marry.

2016

Obama administration officials from the Education and Justice departments send letters and how-to pamphlets to school districts instructing transgender students can use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.

2017

The new Trump administration led by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos reverses the guidelines sent by the Obama administration.

What We Fight For Today in the LGBT Community

Since Obergefell v. Hodges, the LGBT community focuses on the fight against discrimination in housing, public accommodations, and employment. Incidentally, if you or someone you know needs representation in a discrimination case, a lawyer that specializes in law focusing on gay rights history is helpful. Accordingly, Susan T. Perkins is a Rhode Island LGBT lawyer who wins for clients with strong negotiation and aggressive litigation. Even so, if you need legal representation, contact Susan Perkins today.