lgbt movement essay

A brief history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender social movements

Bonnie J. Morris, PhD George Washington University Washington, D.C.

Social movements, organizing around the acceptance and rights of persons who might today identify as LGBT or queer, began as responses to centuries of persecution by church, state, and medical authorities. Where homosexual activity or deviance from established gender roles/dress was banned by law or traditional custom, such condemnation might be communicated through sensational public trials, exile, medical warnings, and language from the pulpit. These paths of persecution entrenched homophobia for centuries—but also alerted entire populations to the existence of difference.

Whether an individual recognized they, too, shared this identity and were at risk, or dared to speak out for tolerance and change, there were few organizations or resources before the scientific and political revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries. Gradually, the growth of a public media and ideals of human rights drew together activists from all walks of life, who drew courage from sympathetic medical studies, banned literature, emerging sex research, and a climate of greater democracy.

By the 20th century, a movement in recognition of gays and lesbians was underway, abetted by the social climate of feminism and new anthropologies of difference. However, throughout 150 years of homosexual social movements (roughly from the 1870s to today), leaders and organizers struggled to address the very different concerns and identity issues of gay men, women identifying as lesbians, and others identifying as gender variant or nonbinary. White, male, and Western activists whose groups and theories gained leverage against homophobia did not necessarily represent the range of racial, class, and national identities complicating a broader LGBT agenda. Women were often left out altogether.

What is the prehistory of LGBT activism? Most historians agree that there is evidence of homosexual activity and same-sex love, whether such relationships were accepted or persecuted, in every documented culture. We know that homosexuality existed in ancient Israel simply because it is prohibited in the Bible, whereas it flourished between both men and women in Ancient Greece. Substantial evidence also exists for individuals who lived at least part of their lives as a different gender than assigned at birth. From the lyrics of same-sex desire inscribed by Sappho in the seventh century BCE to youths raised as the opposite sex in cultures ranging from Albania to Afghanistan; from the “female husbands” of Kenya to the Native American “Two-Spirit,” alternatives to the Western male-female and heterosexual binaries thrived across millennia and culture.

These realities gradually became known to the West via travelers’ diaries, the church records of missionaries, diplomats’ journals, and in reports by medical anthropologists. Such eyewitness accounts in the era before other media were of course riddled with the biases of the (often) Western or White observer, and added to beliefs that homosexual practices were other, foreign, savage, a medical issue, or evidence of a lower racial hierarchy. The peaceful flowering of early trans or bisexual acceptance in different indigenous civilizations met with opposition from European and Christian colonizers.

In the age of European exploration and empire-building, Native American, North African, and Pacific Islander cultures accepting of “Two-Spirit” people or same-sex love shocked European invaders who objected to any deviation from a limited understanding of “masculine” and “feminine” roles. The European powers enforced their own criminal codes against what was called sodomy in the New World: the first known case of homosexual activity receiving a death sentence in North America occurred in 1566, when the Spanish executed a Frenchman in Florida.

Against the emerging backdrop of national power and Christian faith, what might have been learned about same-sex love or gender identity was buried in scandal. Ironically, both wartime conflict between emerging nations and the departure or deaths of male soldiers left women behind to live together and fostered strong alliances between men as well. Same-sex companionship thrived where it was frowned upon for unmarried, unrelated males and females to mingle or socialize freely. Women’s relationships in particular escaped scrutiny since there was no threat of pregnancy. Nonetheless, in much of the world, female sexual activity and sensation were curtailed wherever genital circumcision practices made clitoridectomy an ongoing custom.

Where European dress—a clear marker of gender—was enforced by missionaries, we find another complicated history of both gender identity and resistance. Biblical interpretation made it illegal for a woman to wear pants or a man to adopt female dress, and sensationalized public trials warned against “deviants” but also made such martyrs and heroes popular: Joan of Arc is one example, and the chilling origins of the word “faggot” include a stick of wood used in public burnings of gay men.

Despite the risks of defying severe legal codes, cross-dressing flourished in early modern Europe and America. Women and girls, economically oppressed by the sexism which kept them from jobs and economic/education opportunities designated for men only, might pass as male in order to gain access to coveted experiences or income. This was a choice made by many women who were not necessarily transgender in identity. Women “disguised” themselves as men, sometimes for extended periods of years, in order to fight in the military (Deborah Sampson), to work as pirates (Mary Read and Anne Bonney), attend medical school, etc. Both men and women who lived as a different gender were often only discovered after their deaths, as the extreme differences in male vs. female clothing and grooming in much of Western culture made “passing” surprisingly easy in certain environments.

Moreover, roles in the arts where women were banned from working required that men be recruited to play female roles, often creating a high-status, competitive market for those we might today identify as trans women, in venues from Shakespeare’s theatre to Japanese Kabuki to the Chinese opera. This acceptance of performance artists, and the popularity of “drag” humor cross-culturally, did not necessarily mark the start of transgender advocacy, but made the arts an often accepting sanctuary for LGBT individuals who built theatrical careers based around disguise and illusion.

The era of sexology studies is where we first see a small, privileged cluster of medical authorities begin promoting a limited tolerance of those born “invert.” In Western history, we find little formal study of what was later called homosexuality before the 19th century, beyond medical texts identifying women with large clitorises as “tribades” and severe punishment codes for male homosexual acts.

Early efforts to understand the range of human sexual behavior came from European doctors and scientists including Carl von Westphal (1869), Richard von Krafft-Ebing (1882) and Havelock Ellis (1897). Their writings were sympathetic to the concept of a homosexual or bisexual orientation occurring naturally in an identifiable segment of humankind, but the writings of Krafft-Ebing and Ellis also labeled a “third sex” degenerate and abnormal. Sigmund Freud, writing in the same era, did not consider homosexuality an illness or a crime and believed bisexuality to be an innate aspect beginning with undetermined gender development in the womb. Yet Freud also felt that lesbian desires were an immaturity women could overcome through heterosexual marriage and male dominance.

These writings gradually trickled down to a curious public through magazines and presentations, reaching men and women desperate to learn more about those like themselves, including some like English writer Radclyffe Hall who willingly accepted the idea of being a “congenital invert.” German researcher Magnus Hirschfeld went on to gather a broader range of information by founding Berlin’s Institute for Sexual Science, Europe’s best library archive of materials on gay cultural history. His efforts, and Germany’s more liberal laws and thriving gay bar scene between the two World Wars, contrasted with the backlash, in England, against gay and lesbian writers such as Oscar Wilde and Radclyffe Hall. With the rise of Hitler’s Third Reich, however, the former tolerance demonstrated by Germany’s Scientific Humanitarian Committee vanished. Hirschfeld’s great library was destroyed and the books burnt by Nazis on May 10, 1933.

In the United States, there were few attempts to create advocacy groups supporting gay and lesbian relationships until after World War II. However, prewar gay life flourished in urban centers such as New York’s Greenwich Village and Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. The blues music of African-American women showcased varieties of lesbian desire, struggle, and humor; these performances, along with male and female drag stars, introduced a gay underworld to straight patrons during Prohibition’s defiance of race and sex codes in speakeasy clubs.

The disruptions of World War II allowed formerly isolated gay men and women to meet as soldiers and war workers; and other volunteers were uprooted from small towns and posted worldwide. Many minds were opened by wartime, during which LGBT people were both tolerated in military service and officially sentenced to death camps in the Holocaust. This increasing awareness of an existing and vulnerable population, coupled with Senator Joseph McCarthy’s investigation of homosexuals holding government jobs during the early 1950s outraged writers and federal employees whose own lives were shown to be second-class under the law, including Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, Allen Ginsberg, and Harry Hay.

Awareness of a burgeoning civil rights movement (Martin Luther King’s key organizer Bayard Rustin was a gay man) led to the first American-based political demands for fair treatment of gays and lesbians in mental health, public policy, and employment. Studies such as Alfred Kinsey’s 1947 Kinsey Report suggested a far greater range of homosexual identities and behaviors than previously understood, with Kinsey creating a “scale” or spectrum ranging from complete heterosexual to complete homosexual.

The primary organization for gay men as an oppressed cultural minority was the Mattachine Society, founded in 1950 by Harry Hay and Chuck Rowland. Other important homophile organizations on the West Coast included One, Inc., founded in 1952, and the first lesbian support network Daughters of Bilitis, founded in 1955 by Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. Through meetings and publications, these groups offered information and outreach to thousands.

These first organizations soon found support from prominent sociologists and psychologists. In 1951, Donald Webster Cory published “The Homosexual in America,” asserting that gay men and lesbians were a legitimate minority group, and in 1953 Evelyn Hooker, PhD, won a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to study gay men. Her groundbreaking paper, presented in 1956, demonstrated that gay men were as well-adjusted as heterosexual men, often more so.

But it would not be until 1973 that the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality as an “illness” classification in its diagnostic manual. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, gay men and lesbians continued to be at risk for psychiatric lockup as well as jail, losing jobs, and/or child custody when courts and clinics defined gay love as sick, criminal, or immoral.

In 1965, as the civil rights movement won new legislation outlawing racial discrimination, the first gay rights demonstrations took place in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., led by longtime activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings. The turning point for gay liberation came on June 28, 1969, when patrons of the popular Stonewall Inn in New York’s Greenwich Village fought back against ongoing police raids of their neighborhood bar. Stonewall is still considered a watershed moment of gay pride and has been commemorated since the 1970s with “pride marches” held every June across the United States. Recent scholarship has called for better acknowledgment of the roles that drag performers, people of color, bisexuals, and transgender patrons played in the Stonewall Riots.

The gay liberation movement of the 1970s saw myriad political organizations spring up, often at odds with one another. Frustrated with the male leadership of most gay liberation groups, lesbians influenced by the feminist movement of the 1970s formed their own collectives, record labels, music festivals, newspapers, bookstores, and publishing houses, and called for lesbian rights in mainstream feminist groups like the National Organization for Women. Gatherings such as women’s music concerts, bookstore readings, and lesbian festivals well beyond the United States were extraordinarily successful in organizing women to become activists; the feminist movement against domestic violence also assisted women to leave abusive marriages, while retaining custody of children became a paramount issue for lesbian mothers.

Expanding religious acceptance for gay men and women of faith, the first out gay minister was ordained by the United Church of Christ in 1972. Other gay and lesbian church and synagogue congregations soon followed. Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), formed in 1972, offered family members greater support roles in the gay rights movement. And political action exploded through the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Human Rights Campaign, the election of openly gay and lesbian representatives like Elaine Noble and Barney Frank, and, in 1979, the first march on Washington for gay rights.

The increasing expansion of a global LGBT rights movement suffered a setback during the 1980s, as the gay male community was decimated by the Aids epidemic, demands for compassion and medical funding led to renewed coalitions between men and women as well as angry street theatre by groups like Aids Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) and Queer Nation. Enormous marches on Washington drew as many as one million gay rights supporters in 1987 and again in 1993. Right-wing religious movements, spurred on by beliefs that Aids was God’s punishment, expanded via direct mail. A New Right coalition of political lobby groups competed with national LGBT organizations in Washington, seeking to create religious exemptions from any new LGBT rights protections.

In the same era, one wing of the political gay movement called for an end to military expulsion of gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers, with the high-profile case of Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer publicized through a made-for-television movie, “Serving in Silence.” In spite of the patriotism and service of gay men and lesbians in uniform, the uncomfortable and unjust compromise “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” emerged as an alternative to decades of military witch hunts and dishonorable discharges. Yet more service members ended up being discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

During the last decade of the 20th century, millions of Americans watched as actress Ellen DeGeneres came out on national television in April 1997, heralding a new era of gay celebrity power and media visibility—although not without risks. Celebrity performers, both gay and heterosexual, continued to be among the most vocal activists calling for tolerance and equal rights. With greater media attention to gay and lesbian civil rights in the 1990s, trans and intersex voices began to gain space through works such as Kate Boernstein’s “Gender Outlaw” (1994) and “My Gender Workbook” (1998), Ann Fausto-Sterling’s “Myths of Gender” (1992) and Leslie Feinberg’s “Transgender Warriors” (1998), enhancing shifts in women’s and gender studies to become more inclusive of transgender and nonbinary identities.

As a result of hard work by countless organizations and individuals, helped by internet and direct-mail campaign networking, the 21st century heralded new legal gains for gay and lesbian couples. Same-sex civil unions were recognized under Vermont law in 2000, and Massachusetts became the first state to perform same-sex marriages in 2004; with the end of state sodomy laws ( Lawrence v. Texas , 2003), gay and lesbian Americans were finally free from criminal classification. Gay marriage was first legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Canada; but the recognition of gay marriage by church and state continued to divide opinion worldwide. After the impressive gains for LGBT rights in postapartheid South Africa, conservative evangelicals in the U.S. began providing support and funding for homophobic campaigns overseas. Uganda’s dramatic death penalty for gays and lesbians was perhaps the most severe in Africa.

The first part of the 21st century saw new emphasis on transgender activism and the increasing usage of terminology that questioned binary gender identification. Images of trans women became more prevalent in film and television, as did programming with same-sex couples raising children. Transphobia, cissexism, and other language (such as “hir” and “them”) became standardized, and film and television programming featured more openly trans youth and adult characters. Tensions between lesbian and trans activists, however, remained, with the long-running Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival boycotted by national LGBT groups over the issue of trans inclusion; like many woman-only events with a primarily lesbian base, Michfest had supported an ideal of ingathering women and girls born female. The festival ended after its 40th anniversary in August 2015.

Internet activism burgeoned, while many of the public, physical gathering spaces that once defined LGBT activism (bars, bookstores, women’s music festivals) began to vanish, and the usage of “queer” replaced lesbian identification for many younger women activists. Attention shifted to global activism as U.S. gains were not matched by similar equal rights laws in the 75 other countries where homosexuality remained illegal. As of 2016, LGBT identification and activism was still punishable by death in 10 countries: Iran, Iraq, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen; the plight of the LGBT community in Russia received intense focus during the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, to which President Obama sent a contingent of out LGBT athletes. Supportive remarks from the new Pope Francis (“Who am I to judge?”) gave hope to LGBT Catholics worldwide.

Perhaps the greatest changes in the U.S. occurred between spring 2015 and spring 2016: in late spring 2015 Alison Bechdel’s lesbian-themed Broadway production Fun Home won several Tony awards, former Olympic champion Bruce Jenner transitioned to Caitlyn Jenner, and then in June of 2015, the Supreme Court decision recognized same-sex marriage ( Obergefell v. Hodges ). By spring 2016 the Academy Awards recognized films with both lesbian and transgender themes: Carol and The Danish Girl . And the Supreme Court had avowed that a lesbian family adoption in one state had to be recognized in all states.

However, the United States also saw intense racial profiling confrontations and tragedies in this same period, turning LGBT activism to “intersectionality,” or recognition of intersections issues of race, class, gender identity, and sexism. With the June 12, 2016, attacks on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, that intersectionality was made plain as straight allies held vigils grieving the loss of young Latino drag queens and lesbians of color; with unanswered questions about the killer’s possible identification with ISIS terrorism, other voices now call for alliances between the LGBT and Muslim communities, and the greater recognition of perspectives from those who are both Muslim and LGBT in the U.S. and beyond. The possible repression of identity which may have played a role in the killer’s choice of target has generated new attention to the price of homophobia—internalized, or culturally expressed—in and beyond the United States.

An earlier version of this essay was written as an appendix for a lesson plan for high school psychology teachers called The Psychology of Sexual Orientation: A modular lesson plan/teaching resource for high school psychology teachers (login required). The full lesson plan is part of a series of 19 unit lesson plans developed as a benefit for APA members, which are available in the members-only section of the APA website.

Additional selected resources:

• Alison Bechdel, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic , Houghton Mifflin, 2006
• Kate Bornstein, Gender Outlaws: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us , Routledge, 1994
• Michael Bronski, A Queer History of the United States , Beacon Press, 2011
• Devon Carbado and Dwight McBride, eds. Black Like Us: A Century of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual African-American Fiction , Cleis Press, 2002
• David Carter, Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution , Macmillan, 2004
• Debbie Cenziper and Jim Obergefell, Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality , Harper Collins Publishers, 2016
• Lillian Faderman, The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle , Simon & Schuster, 2015; and To Believe in Women: What Lesbians Have Done for America – A History , Houghton Mifflin, 1999
• Leslie Feinberg, Transgender Warriors , Beacon Press, 1996
• Sue-Ellen Jacobs, Two-Spirit People: Native American Gender Identity, Sexuality and Spirituality , University of Illinois, 1997
• David Johnson, The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government , University of Chicago Press Books, 2004
• Cherrie Moraga and Gloria Anzaldua, This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color , Persephone Press, 1981
• Daphne Scholinski, The Last Time I Wore a Dress , Riverhead Books 1998
• Randy Shilts, And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic , St. Martin’s Press, 1987
• Donn Short, Don’t Be So Gay! Queers, Bullying, and Making Schools Safe , UBC Press, 2013
• Ryan Thoreson, Transnational LGBT Activism , University of Minnesota Press, 2014
• Urvashi Vaid, Virtual Equality , Anchor Books, 1995

Additional resources

• LGBT resources and publications
• Transgender issues in psychology
• Safe and Supportive Schools Project
• Providing services and supports for youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (PDF, 1.73MB)

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The Gay Liberation Movement

Written by: jim downs, connecticut college, by the end of this section, you will:.

• Explain how and why various groups responded to calls for the expansion of civil rights from 1960 to 1980

Suggested Sequencing

Use this Narrative with the César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and the United Farm Workers Narrative and the American Indian Activism and the Siege of Wounded Knee Narrative while discussing the various civil rights movements occurring during the 1970s.

After World War II, the civil rights movement had a profound impact on other groups demanding their rights. The feminist movement, the Black Power movement, the environmental movement, the Chicano movement, and the American Indian Movement sought equality, rights, and empowerment in American society. Gay people organized to resist oppression and demand just treatment, and they were especially galvanized after a New York City police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, sparked riots in 1969.

Around the same time, biologist Alfred Kinsey began a massive study of human sexuality in the United States. Like Magnus Hirschfield and other scholars who studied sexuality, including Havelock Ellis, a prominent British scholar who published research on transgender psychology, Kinsey believed sexuality could be studied as a science. He interviewed more than 8,000 men and argued that sexuality existed on a spectrum, saying that it could not be confined to simple categories of homosexual and heterosexual. To evaluate sexual activities, Kinsey used a scale that assigned a number from zero to six to rate sexual urges. A rating of zero meant “exclusively heterosexual” and a rating of six meant “exclusively homosexual.” Kinsey rejected most people’s self-identification at either end of the spectrum because their other answers indicated that they often fell somewhere in between. Kinsey broke ground by discussing a taboo subject in frank terms. His analysis broke down rigidly held categories of sexuality and empowered many gay people to fight for social change.

By the 1960s, a new wave of social activism, fueled by the civil rights movement and other social movements, inspired them to resist oppression and discriminatory laws. In August 1966, the police raided Compton’s Cafeteria, a hangout for mostly transgender and queer people in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, after the owners of the cafeteria had complained that transgender people were loitering there. They congregated at the Compton’s Cafeteria because gay bars often were hostile to them and prohibited them from hanging out there. When the police arrived at Compton’s to arrest the people for loitering, an uprising ensued. The customers fought the police, throwing coffee cups, smashing plates, and breaking windows. The next evening, protestors gathered in front of Compton’s Cafeteria to mark their resistance to oppression.

A plaque marking the location of the 1966 riots at Compton’s Cafeteria.

The exact date of the Compton’s Cafeteria uprising remains unknown, but it did predate a better-known event called the Stonewall Uprising, which lasted six days. On June 28, 1969, a group of LGBTQ people resisted and then fought back after the police attempted to raid their bar, the Stonewall Inn, in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Several hundred people gathered to watch the police attempting to arrest patrons of the business, and as the crowd’s response escalated from mockery to anger, the mood shifted and violence and destruction erupted inside the bar and in the street. Rocks and bottles were thrown, a car was overturned, garbage was set on fire, and police and bystanders were injured. Although members of the gay community were divided in their opinions about the riot, hundreds of people returned to the scene for the next several nights, some to continue violent opposition to the police and others to express their sexuality in public for the first time.

The Stonewall Inn, shown here in 2005, was designated on the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2016 to commemorate the importance of the 1969 uprising in the gay liberation movement. (credit: “Stonewall Inn with Flowers-2005” by David/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

At the time, gay bars were often hidden and vulnerable to attacks by police, who were authorized by city governments to shut down establishments that promoted what was considered lewd behavior. Many gay bars, including the Stonewall Inn, were also run by the mafia, which paid off corrupt police officers to stay open. Although this sometimes worked, municipal officials also frequently urged police to clamp down on gay bars by asserting that they did not have proper liquor licenses. Before Stonewall, LGBTQ people lacked political clout and had no recourse even if their bars were attacked, so the police often did not even need to justify their raids. By standing up to the police at the Stonewall Inn, LGBTQ people began an organized movement to fight discrimination. Consequently, the Stonewall Uprising has come to symbolize the start of the modern gay liberation movement.

Stonewall energized LGBTQ people to become more fiercely political. Before Stonewall, a gay political effort known as the homophile movement had brought gay men and lesbians together to form a political coalition. Members of the movement staged the first gay protest in Philadelphia on July 4, 1965, in front of Independence Hall. During the demonstration, they followed the politics of respectability, a strategy learned from the black civil rights movement, and dressed in suits and skirts.

After Stonewall, however, a more radical political consciousness developed that resulted from the formation of many new groups, including the Gay Liberation Front and Radicalesbians, whose members rejected these strategies and called for a more militant response to homophobia. These groups were interested not just in gaining rights but also in challenging systems of power like capitalism, which they believed oppressed them. They viewed Stonewall as an opportunity to revolutionize society and to rethink the meaning of sexuality. They drew on theories advanced by early twentieth-century sexologist Magnus Hirschfield and others to conceptualize their relationships and identities.

On the cultural front, alternative newspapers popped up all over North America, from Toronto to Phoenix to San Francisco. The papers included sections devoted to community updates, cultural events, and personal ads, but they also highlighted new political concerns, namely efforts to raise awareness about the problems of gay people in prisons and concerns about gay health. Although many various religious institutions believed homosexuality was sinful, some LGBTQ people did not believe that their faith and sexual orientation were at odds and took shelter in religious communities organized by gay people. Founded in 1968 by Rev. Troy Perry, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) was established as a congregation by and for LGBTQ people; it opened scores of churches across the country that remain active today. LGBTQ people also opened bookstores, cafes, libraries, and other community centers throughout the United States.

Yet despite these revolutionary changes, violence stalked the gay liberation movement during the 1970s. On June 24, 1973, members of the MCC gathered in the Upstairs Lounge, a bar they had converted into a church in New Orleans, to hold their weekly meeting. An unidentified arsonist set fire to the establishment, tragically killing 32 people and injuring many others. The arsonist was never identified. It was the largest tragedy involving LGBTQ people in U.S. history until the 2016 shooting at the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida.

More tragedies followed. In 1981, many gay men were becoming sick and dying of a mysterious disease. Public health authorities, journalists, doctors, and even many in the gay community blamed gay liberation and the loosening of sexual restrictions for the epidemic, but no one in the medical or scientific community actually understood the behavior of the virus. In fact, it was first defined as GRID, which meant gay-related immune deficiency. The medical community later referred to the disease as AIDS, an acronym for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. On September 24, 1982, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first used the term AIDS and offered the first definition of it.

Devastated by the spreading epidemic, many LGBTQ people intensified their political activism. They rushed to the streets and organized protests and rallies to call attention to the epidemic, held fundraisers to gain money to research the virus, and formed many organizations, most notably Act Up, which was founded in New York City in March 1987.

The pink triangle became a unifying symbol for the gay community in the 1970s. This poster was used by the Act Up organization to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic.

The political activism of the 1970s and 1980s began to change public attitudes about LGBTQ people in American society and led to significant changes in public policy. In Lawrence v. Texas (2003), the Supreme Court legalized same-sex sexual activity. In 2010, Congress permitted gay people to serve openly in the military. In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in United States v. Windsor , and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) made same-sex marriage legal under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Attitudes continued to change, indicating growing acceptance of LGBTQ people.

Review Questions

1. All the following were significant in increasing awareness of the gay liberation movement except

• Stonewall Riots
• Metropolitan Community Church
• Compton’s Cafeteria uprising
• civil rights movement

2. Alfred Kinsey’s research on sexuality was controversial because of

• his use of a small sample pool
• his reliance on a few simple categories of classification
• his use of a disproportionate number of prison inmates
• a new wave of social activism in the 1960s

3. One major effect of the gay liberation movement was the development of

• political activism in the LGBTQ community
• a weakened civil rights movement
• the immediate passage of same-sex marriage legislation
• the legalization of gay bars

4. The homophile movement staged the first openly gay protest in

• San Francisco
• Greenwich Village
• Philadelphia

5. Troy Perry was best known for

• publishing the first newspaper targeted at a gay readership
• studying human sexuality
• leading the homophile community
• founding a religious congregation for gay members

6. A significant difference between the gay rights movement after Stonewall and the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was that the GLF and its allies

• used popular media to make their message known
• used more militant strategies in achieving their goals
• ran candidates for political office to invoke change
• used cultural endeavors to advance awareness of gay issues

Free Response Questions

• Explain the events that led to the gay liberation movement.
• Describe the impact the gay liberation movement had on the political and social climate of the United States in the late twentieth century.

AP Practice Questions

Protesters in lower Manhattan in the summer of 1969.

1. The situation shown in the image contributed most immediately to the

• gay liberation movement
• Stonewall Riot
• Supreme Court decision Lawrence v. Texas

2. A historical development similar to that depicted in the image was the

• anti-war protests led by college students
• sit-down strike in automobile plants
• civil rights marches
• protests in support of environmental awareness

3. Individuals such as those in the image would most likely have agreed with the sentiments expressed by which late nineteenth-century group?

• Robber Barons of the industrial revolution
• Striking labor union members

Primary Sources

“Stonewall Riot Police Reports.” Outhistory.org. http://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/stonewall-riot-police-reports

Suggested Resources

Bullough, Vern L. “Alfred Kinsey and the Kinsey Report: Historical Overview and Lasting Contributions.” The Journal of Sex Research 35, no. 2 (1998): 127-31.

Chauncey, George. Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture and the Making of the Gay Male World . New York: Basic, 1994.

D’Emilio, John, and Estelle B. Freedman, eds. Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America . New York: Harper and Row, 1988.

Downs, Jim. Stand By Me: The Forgotten History of Gay Liberation . New York: Basic, 2016.

Gallo, Marcia M. Different Daughters: A History of the Daughters of Bilitis and The Rise of the Lesbian Rights Movement . New York: Seal Press, 2007.

Stryker, Susan. Transgender History . New York: Seal Press, 2017.

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• Introduction

Gay rights prior to the 20th century

The beginning of the gay rights movement, the gay rights movement since the mid-20th century.

gay rights movement

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• gay rights movement - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
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gay rights movement , civil rights movement that advocates equal rights for LGBTQ persons (i.e., for lesbians , gays [homosexual males], bisexuals , transgender persons, and queer persons); seeks to eliminate sodomy laws ; and calls for an end to discrimination against LGBTQ persons in employment, credit, housing, public accommodations, and other areas of life. (Although the term gay is commonly used in reference to homosexual males, it is also used more generally to refer to homosexual males together with some or all other orientations within the LGBTQ community . This article will use the term in the latter sense.)

Religious admonitions against sexual relations between individuals of the same sex (particularly men) long stigmatized such behavior, but most legal codes in Europe were silent on the subject of homosexuality and bisexuality . The judicial systems of many predominantly Muslim countries invoked Islamic law ( Sharīʿah ) in a wide range of contexts , and many sexual or quasi-sexual acts, including same-sex intimacy, were criminalized in those countries and made subject to severe penalties, including execution.

Beginning in the 16th century, lawmakers in England began to categorize sexual relations between males as criminal rather than simply immoral. In the 1530s, during the reign of Henry VIII , England passed the Buggery Act, which made sexual relations between men a criminal offense punishable by death. In England and Great Britain, sodomy remained a capital offense punishable by hanging until 1861. Two decades later, in 1885, Parliament passed an amendment , sponsored by Henry Du Pré Labouchere , that created the offense of “gross indecency” for same-sex male sexual relations, enabling any form of sexual behavior between men to be prosecuted (lesbian sexual relations—because they were unimaginable to male legislators—were not subject to the law). Likewise, in Germany in the early 1870s, when the country was integrating the civil codes of various disparate kingdoms, the final German penal code included Paragraph 175, which criminalized same-sex male relations and made them subject to penalties including imprisonment and loss of civil rights.

Before the end of the 19th century there were scarcely any “movements” for gay rights. Indeed, in his poem “Two Loves” (1894), Lord Alfred (“Bosie”) Douglas , Oscar Wilde ’s lover, declared “I [homosexuality] am the love that dare not speak its name.” Homosexual and bisexual men and women were given voice in 1897 with the founding of the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee (Wissenschaftlich-humanitäres Komitee; WhK) in Berlin . Their first activity was a petition to call for the repeal of Paragraph 175 of the Imperial Penal Code (submitted 1898, 1922, and 1925). The committee published emancipation literature, sponsored rallies, and campaigned for legal reform throughout Germany as well as in the Netherlands and Austria, and by 1922 it had developed some 25 local chapters.

One of the founders of WhK was Magnus Hirschfeld , who in 1919 opened the Institute for Sexual Science (Institut für Sexualwissenschaft), which anticipated by decades other scientific centers (such as the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction , in the United States ) that specialized in sex research. He also helped sponsor the World League of Sexual Reform , which was established in 1928 at a conference in Copenhagen.

Despite Paragraph 175 and the failure of the WhK to win its repeal, homosexual and bisexual men and women experienced a certain amount of freedom in Germany, particularly during the Weimar period, between the end of World War I and the Nazi seizure of power. In many larger German cities, gay nightlife became tolerated, and the number of gay publications increased. Indeed, according to some historians, the number of gay bars and periodicals in Berlin in the 1920s exceeded that in New York City six decades later. Adolf Hitler ’s seizure of power ended this relatively liberal period. He ordered the reinvigorated enforcement of Paragraph 175, and on May 6, 1933, German student athletes raided and ransacked Hirschfeld’s archives and burned the institute’s materials in a public square.

Outside Germany other organizations were also created. For example, in 1914 the British Society for the Study of Sex Psychology was founded by Edward Carpenter and Havelock Ellis for both promotional and educational purposes, and in the United States in 1924 Henry Gerber, an immigrant from Germany, founded the Society for Human Rights, which was chartered by the state of Illinois.

Despite the formation of such groups, political activity by homosexuals and bisexuals was generally not very visible. Indeed, gays were often harassed by the police wherever they congregated. World War II and its aftermath began to change that. The war brought many young people to cities and brought visibility to the gay community . In the United States this greater visibility brought some backlash, particularly from the government and the police : the government often fired gay civil servants, the military attempted to purge its ranks of gay soldiers (a policy enacted during World War II), and police vice squads frequently raided gay bars and arrested their patrons. However, there was also greater political activity among gays, aimed in large measure at decriminalizing sodomy.

Beginning in the mid-20th century, an increasing number of gay organizations were formed. The Cultuur en Ontspannings Centrum (“ Culture and Recreation Center”), or COC, was founded in 1946 in Amsterdam. In the United States the first major male organization, founded in 1950–51 by Harry Hay in Los Angeles, was the Mattachine Society (its name reputedly derived from a medieval French society of masked players, the Société Mattachine, to represent the public “masking” of homosexuality), while the Daughters of Bilitis (named after the Sapphic love poems of Pierre Louÿs , Chansons de Bilitis ), founded in 1955 by Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin in San Francisco , was a leading group for women. In addition, the United States saw the publication of a national gay periodical, One , which in 1958 won a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that enabled it to be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. In Britain in 1957 a commission chaired by Sir John Wolfenden issued a groundbreaking report ( see Wolfenden Report ) recommending that private homosexual liaisons between consenting adults be removed from the domain of criminal law ; a decade later the recommendation was implemented by Parliament in the Sexual Offences Act.

The gay rights movement was beginning to win victories for legal reform, particularly in western Europe, but perhaps the single defining event of gay activism occurred in the United States. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, the Stonewall Inn , a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village , was raided by the police. Nearly 400 people joined a riot that lasted 45 minutes and resumed on succeeding nights. “Stonewall” came to be commemorated annually in June with Gay Pride celebrations, not only in U.S. cities but also in several other countries (Gay Pride is also held at other times of the year in some countries).

In the 1970s and ’80s, gay political organizations proliferated, particularly in the United States and Europe, and spread to other parts of the globe, though their relative size, strength, and success—and toleration by authorities—varied significantly. Groups such as the Human Rights Campaign , the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force , and ACT UP ( AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) in the United States and Stonewall and Outrage! in the United Kingdom—and several dozen similar organizations in continental Europe and elsewhere—began agitating for legal and social reforms. In addition, the transnational International Lesbian and Gay Association was founded in Coventry, England, in 1978. Now headquartered in Geneva and renamed the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual , Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World), it plays a significant role in coordinating international efforts to promote human rights and fight discrimination against LGBTQ and intersex persons.

In the United States, gay activists won support from the Democratic Party in 1980, when the party added to its platform nondiscrimination clause a plank including sexual orientation . This support, along with campaigns by gay activists urging gay men and women to “come out of the closet” (indeed, in the late 1980s, National Coming Out Day was established, and it is now celebrated on October 11 in most countries), encouraged gay men and women to enter the political arena as candidates. The first openly gay government officials in the United States were Jerry DeGrieck and Nancy Wechsler in Ann Arbor , Michigan. Both DeGrieck and Wechsler were elected in 1972 and came out while serving on the city council. In 1974 Wechsler was replaced on the council by Kathy Kozachenko, who, having run openly as a lesbian, thus became the first openly gay person to win office after coming out. In 1977 gay rights activist Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; he was assassinated the following year. In 1983 Gerry Studds, a sitting U.S. representative from Massachusetts, became the first member of Congress to announce his homosexuality. Barney Frank , another member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts, also came out while serving in Congress in the 1980s. He was a powerful member of that body and within the Democratic Party into the 21st century. Tammy Baldwin , from Wisconsin, became the first openly gay politician to be elected to both the U.S. House (1998) and the U.S. Senate (2012). In 2009 Annise Parker was elected mayor of Houston , which made the fourth largest city in the U.S. the largest up to that time to elect an openly gay politician as mayor. In addition, in 2019 Lori Lightfoot became the first openly gay person to be elected mayor of Chicago , and two years later Pete Buttigieg became the first openly gay cabinet member in American history.

Outside the United States, openly gay politicians also scored successes. In Canada in 1998 Glen Murray became the mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, which made him the first openly gay politician to lead a large city in that country. Large cities in Europe also were fertile grounds for success for openly gay politicians; for example, Bertrand Delanoë in Paris and Klaus Wowereit in Berlin were both elected mayor in 2001. At the local and national levels, the number of openly gay politicians increased dramatically during the 1990s and 2000s, and in 2009 Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became prime minister of Iceland , which made her the world’s first openly gay head of government . She was followed by Elio Di Rupo, who became prime minister of Belgium in 2011. In Africa, Asia, and Latin America , openly gay politicians have had only limited success in winning office; notable elections to national legislatures included Patria Jiménez Flores in Mexico (1997), Mike Waters in South Africa (1999), and Clodovil Hernandes in Brazil (2006).

The issues emphasized by gay rights groups have varied since the 1970s by time and place; different national organizations have promoted policies specifically tailored to their country’s milieu . For example, whereas in some countries, particularly in Scandinavia, sodomy statutes never existed or were struck down relatively early, in other countries the situation was more complex. In the United States, with its strong federal tradition, the battle for the repeal of sodomy laws initially was fought at the state level. In 1986 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Georgia’s sodomy law in Bowers v. Hardwick ; 17 years later, however, in Lawrence v. Texas , the Court reversed itself, effectively overturning sodomy laws in Texas and 12 other states.

Other issues of primary importance for the gay rights movement since the 1970s included combating the HIV/ AIDS epidemic and promoting disease prevention and funding for research; lobbying government for nondiscriminatory policies in employment, housing, and other aspects of civil society ; ending the ban on military service for gay and lesbian individuals; expanding hate crimes legislation to include protections for gays, including transgender individuals; and securing marriage rights for same-sex couples ( see same-sex marriage ).

In 2010 Democratic Pres. Barack Obama signed legislation that repealed the U.S. military’s “ Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ” policy (1993–2011), which had permitted gay and lesbian individuals to serve in the military if they did not disclose their sexual orientation or engage in homosexual activity; the repeal effectively ended the ban on homosexuals in the military. In 2013 the Supreme Court recognized the right of same-sex couples to marry ( Obergefell v. Hodges ), and in 2020 the Court determined that firing an employee for being homosexual or transgender was a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex ( Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia ).

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By: History.com Editors

Updated: June 20, 2024 | Original: June 28, 2017

The gay rights movement in the United States has seen huge progress in the last century, and especially the last two decades. Laws prohibiting homosexual activity have been struck down; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals can now serve openly in the military. And same-sex couples can now legally get married and adopt children in all 50 states. But it has been a long and bumpy road for gay rights proponents, who are still advocating for employment, housing and transgender rights.

The Early Gay Rights Movement

In 1924, Henry Gerber , a German immigrant, founded in Chicago the Society for Human Rights, the first documented gay rights organization in the United States. During his U.S. Army service in World War I , Gerber was inspired to create his organization by the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, a “homosexual emancipation” group in Germany.

Gerber’s small group published a few issues of its newsletter “Friendship and Freedom,” the country’s first gay-interest newsletter. Police raids caused the group to disband in 1925—but 90 years later, the U.S. government designated Gerber’s Chicago house a National Historic Landmark.

The Pink Triangle

The gay rights movement stagnated for the next few decades, though LGBTQ+ individuals around the world did come into the spotlight a few times.

For example, English poet and author Radclyffe Hall stirred up controversy in 1928 when she published her lesbian-themed novel, The Well of Loneliness . And during World War II , the Nazis held homosexual men in concentration camps, branding them with the infamous pink triangle badge, which was also given to sexual predators.

Additionally, in 1948, in his book Sexual Behavior in the Human Male , Alfred Kinsey proposed that male sexual orientation lies on a continuum between exclusively homosexual to exclusively heterosexual.

The Homophile Years

In 1950, Harry Hay founded the Mattachine Foundation, one of the nation’s first gay rights group. The Los Angeles organization coined the term “homophile,” which was considered less clinical and focused on sexual activity than “homosexual.”

Though it started off small, the foundation, which sought to improve the lives of gay men through discussion groups and related activities, expanded after founding member Dale Jennings was arrested in 1952 for solicitation and then later set free due to a deadlocked jury.

At the end of the year, Jennings formed another organization called One, Inc., which welcomed women and published ONE, the country’s first pro-gay magazine. Jennings was ousted from One , Inc. in 1953 in part for being a communist—he and Harry Hay were also kicked out of the Mattachine Foundation for their communism—but the magazine continued.

In 1958, One, Inc. won a lawsuit against the U.S. Post Office, which in 1954 declared the magazine “obscene” and refused to deliver it.

The Mattachine Society

Mattachine Foundation members restructured the organization to form the Mattachine Society, which had local chapters in other parts of the country and in 1955 began publishing the country’s second gay publication, The Mattachine Review . That same year, four lesbian couples in San Francisco founded an organization called the Daughters of Bilitis, which soon began publishing a newsletter called The Ladder , the first lesbian publication of any kind.

These early years of the movement also faced some notable setbacks: the American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a form of mental disorder in 1952.

The following year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order that banned gay people—or, more specifically, people guilty of “sexual perversion”—from federal jobs. This ban would remain in effect for some 20 years.

Gay Rights in the 1960s

The gay rights movement saw some early progress In the 1960s. In 1961, Illinois became the first state to do away with its anti-sodomy laws, effectively decriminalizing homosexuality, and a local TV station in California aired the first documentary about homosexuality, called The Rejected.

In 1965, Dr. John Oliven, in his book Sexual Hygiene and Pathology , coined the term “transgender” to describe someone who was born in the body of the incorrect sex.

But more than 10 years earlier, transgender individuals entered the American consciousness when  Christine Jorgensen  came out as a trans woman, following gender confirmation surgery.

Despite this progress, LGBTQ+ individuals lived in a kind of urban subculture and were routinely subjected to harassment and persecution, such as in bars and restaurants. In fact, gay men and women in New York City could not be served alcohol in public due to liquor laws that considered the gathering of homosexuals to be “disorderly.”

In fear of being shut down by authorities, bartenders would deny drinks to patrons suspected of being gay or kick them out altogether; others would serve them drinks but force them to sit facing away from other customers to prevent them from socializing.

In 1966, members of the Mattachine Society in New York City staged a “ sip-in ”—a twist on the “sit-in” protests of the 1960s—in which they visited taverns, declared themselves gay, and waited to be turned away so they could sue. They were denied service at the Greenwich Village tavern Julius, resulting in much publicity and the quick reversal of the anti-gay liquor laws.

The Stonewall Inn

A few years later, in 1969, a now-famous event catalyzed the gay rights movement: The Stonewall Riots .

The clandestine gay club Stonewall Inn was an institution in Greenwich Village because it was large, cheap, allowed dancing and welcomed drag queens and homeless youths.

But in the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn. Fed up with years of police harassment, patrons and neighborhood residents began throwing objects at police as they loaded the arrested into police vans. The scene eventually exploded into a full-blown riot, with subsequent protests that lasted for five more days.

Christopher Street Liberation Day

Shortly after the Stonewall uprising, members of the Mattachine Society split off to form the Gay Liberation Front, a radical group that launched public demonstrations, protests and confrontations with political officials.

Similar groups followed, including the Gay Activists Alliance, Radicalesbians, and Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries (STAR).

In 1970, at the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, New York City community members marched through local streets in commemoration of the event. Named the Christopher Street Liberation Day, the march is now considered the country’s first gay pride parade . Activists also turned the once-disreputable Pink Triangle into a symbol of gay pride.

LGBTQ+ Political Victories

The increased visibility and activism of LGBTQ+ individuals in the 1970s helped the movement make progress on multiple fronts. In 1977, for instance, the New York Supreme Court ruled that transgender woman Renée Richards could play at the United States Open tennis tournament as a woman.

Additionally, several openly LGBTQ+ individuals secured public office positions: Kathy Kozachenko won a seat to the Ann Harbor, Michigan , City Council in 1974, becoming the first out American to be elected to public office.

Harvey Milk , who campaigned on a pro-gay rights platform, became the San Francisco city supervisor in 1978, becoming the first openly gay man elected to a political office in California.

Milk asked Gilbert Baker, an artist and gay rights activist, to create an emblem that represents the movement and would be seen as a symbol of pride. Baker designed and stitched together the first rainbow flag , which he unveiled at a pride parade in 1978.

The following year, in 1979, more than 100,000 people took part in the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

Outbreak of AIDS

The outbreak of AIDS in the United States dominated the struggle for gay rights in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report about five previously healthy homosexual men becoming infected with a rare type of pneumonia.

By 1984, researchers had identified the cause of AIDS—the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV—and the Food and Drug Administration licensed the first commercial blood test for HIV in 1985. Two years later, the first antiretroviral medication for HIV, azidothymidine (AZT), became available.

Gay rights proponents held the second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987. The occasion marked the first national coverage of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power), an advocacy group seeking to improve the lives of AIDS victims.

The World Health Organization in 1988 declared December 1 to be World AIDS Day . By the end of the decade, there were at least 100,000 reported cases of AIDS in the United States.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

In 1992, Bill Clinton , during his campaign to become president, promised he would lift the ban against gays in the military. But after failing to garner enough support for such an open policy, President Clinton in 1993 passed the “ Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ” (DADT) policy, which allowed gay men and women to serve in the military as long as they kept their sexuality a secret.

Gay rights advocates decried the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, as it did little to stop people from being discharged on the grounds of their sexuality.

In 2011, President Obama fulfilled a campaign promise to repeal DADT; by that time, more than 12,000 officers had been discharged from the military under DADT for refusing to hide their sexuality. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was officially repealed on September 20, 2011.

Gay Marriage and Beyond

In 1992, the District of Columbia passed a law that allowed gay and lesbian couples to register as domestic partners, granting them some of the rights of marriage (the city of San Francisco passed a similar ordinance three years prior and California would later extend those rights to the entire state in 1999).

In 1993, the highest court in Hawaii ruled that a ban on gay marriage may go against the state’s constitution. State voters disagreed, however, and in 1998 passed a law banning same-sex marriage.

Federal lawmakers also disagreed, and Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which Clinton signed into law in 1996. The law prevented the government from granting federal marriage benefits to same-sex couples and allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriage certificates from other states.

Though marriage rights backtracked, gay rights advocates scored other victories. In 1994, a new anti-hate-crime law allowed judges to impose harsher sentences if a crime was motivated by a victim’s sexual orientation.

The Matthew Shepard Act

In 2003, gay rights proponents had another bit of happy news: the U.S. Supreme Court, in Lawrence v. Texas , struck down the state’s anti-sodomy law. The landmark ruling effectively decriminalized homosexual relations nationwide.

And in 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law a new hate crime act. Commonly known as the Matthew Shepard Act, the new law extended the reach of the 1994 hate crime law.

The act was a response to the 1998 murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard, who was pistol-whipped, tortured, tied to a fence, and left to die. The murder was thought to be driven by Shepard’s perceived homosexuality.

In 2011, President Obama fulfilled a campaign promise to repeal DADT; by that time, more than 12,000 officers had been discharged from the military under DADT for refusing to hide their sexuality.

A couple of years later, the Supreme Court ruled against Section 3 of DOMA, which allowed the government to deny federal benefits to married same-sex couples. DOMA soon become powerless, when in 2015 the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage, making gay marriage legal throughout the country.

Transgender Rights

One day after that landmark 2015 ruling, the Boy Scouts of America lifted its ban against openly gay leaders and employees. And in 2017, it reversed a century-old ban against transgender boys, finally catching up with the Girl Scouts of the USA, which had long been inclusive of LGBTQ+ leaders and children (the organization had accepted its first transgender Girl Scout in 2011).

In 2016, the U.S. military lifted its ban on transgender people serving openly, a month after Eric Fanning became secretary of the Army and the first openly gay secretary of a U.S. military branch. In March 2018, President Donald Trump announced a new transgender policy for the military that again banned most transgender people from military service. On January 25, 2021—his sixth day in office—President Biden signed an executive order overturning this ban. 

Though LGBTQ+ Americans now have same-sex marriage rights and numerous other rights that seemed farfetched 100 years ago, the work of advocates is far from over.

Universal workplace anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ+ Americans is still lacking. Gay rights proponents must also content with an increasing number of “religious liberty” state laws, which allow business to deny service to LGBTQ+ individuals due to religious beliefs, as well as “bathroom laws” that prevent transgender individuals from using public bathrooms that don’t correspond to their sex at birth. Additionally, several states have passed legislation targeting transgender youth  (and, in Texas , their parents), preventing them from competing in school-sponsored athletics that correspond with their gender identity and accessing gender-affirming medical care. 

Gay Marriage Legalized 

Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage, and the first legal same-sex marriage was performed on May 17, 2004—a day when seventy-seven other couples across the state also tied the knot.

Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer wed in Ontario, Canada in 2007. The State of New York recognized the residents’ marriage, but the federal government did not. When Spyer died in 2009, she left her estate to Windsor; since the couple’s marriage was not federally recognized, Windsor didn’t quality for tax exemption as a surviving spouse. Windsor sued the government in late 2010 in United States v. Windsor. Months later, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Barack Obama administration would no longer defend DOMA.

In 2012, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that DOMA violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause, and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments for the case. The court ruled in favor of Windsor.

Gay marriage was finally ruled legal by the Supreme Court in June 2015. In Obergefell v. Hodges , the plaintiffs—led by Jim Obergefell, who sued because he was unable to put his name on his late husband’s death certificate—argued that the laws violated the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment . Conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy sided with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg , Stephen Breyer , Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan in favor of same-sex marriage rights, ultimately making gay marriage legal across the nation on June 2015. The ruling read, in part:

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”

On December 13, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law. The law requires that individual states recognize same-sex and interracial marriages that were lawfully performed in other states. 

How WWI Sparked the Gay Rights Movement: Smithsonian .

First gay rights group in the US (1924): Chicago Tribune .

Chicago’s Henry Gerber House Designated a National Historic Landmark: U.S. Department of the Interior .

Harry Hay, Early Proponent of Gay Rights, Dies at 90: The New York Times .

Transgender: Transgender Studies Quarterly .

American Psychological Association .

LGBT Rights Milestones Fast Facts: CNN .

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• HISTORY & CULTURE

From LGBT to LGBTQIA+: The evolving recognition of identity

As society’s understanding of diverse sexual identities and gender expressions has grown more inclusive, so has the acronym used to describe them.

October is LGBT History Month. Or, as some might say, LGBTQ History Month. Or even LGBTQIA+ History Month.

The terms for the community of people that encompasses people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual are as broad as that community itself: As society’s understanding, recognition, and inclusion of diverse sexual identities and gender expressions has grown, so has its acronym.

( Subscriber exclusive: Read our January 2017 issue dedicated to the shifting landscape of gender .)

Here’s a look at how that evolution has happened—and why it’s all but certain the term will continue to change.

How lesbianism got its name

Out of all the letters in the acronym LGBTQ, the L was the first to come into existence. For centuries, the word had been associated with the works of Sappho, an ancient Greek woman from the island of Lesbos who wrote poems about same-gender passion.

The oldest use of the term to describe same-gender love has been traced back to the 17th century. But its modern use emerged in the 1890s, when it was used in an English-language medical dictionary and a variety of books on psychology and sexuality. Over time, it grew in popularity and was adopted by women who secretly, then proudly, loved other women.

The dawn of “homosexuality” and “bisexuality”

Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, a 19th century German lawyer and writer who may have identified as gay, was the first to try to label his own community. As early as 1862, he used the term “Urning” to refer to men who were attracted to men. “We Urnings constitute a special class of human gender,” he wrote . “We are our own gender, a third sex.”

But the term was quickly replaced by a word coined by Austro-Hungarian journalist Karoly Maria Kertbeny. In 1869, the Prussian government contemplated adding language that forbade male same-gender sexual activity to its constitution.

In response, Kertbeny wrote a passionate, anonymous open letter to the Prussian minister of justice calling the proposed law “shocking nonsense” and using the word “homosexuality,” which he had previously coined in a private letter to Ulrichs. He also coined the term heterosexual, referring to those who are attracted to people of the opposite gender, and bisexual, which referred to people attracted to both men and women.

Kertbeny’s letter emphasized that same-gender attraction was inborn and challenged prevailing notions that it was shameful and harmful. Early gay rights groups and practitioners of the growing field of psychology eventually adopted the terms.

Gay: Reclaiming a slur

In the late 1960s, activists reclaimed a decades-old slur, “gay.” Throughout the 20th century, same-gender attraction and sexual activity was largely outlawed, and this and other slurs that denigrated LGBTQ+ people were common. Though its origins are murky, “gay” was eventually embraced by men who defied the status quo with open expressions of same-gender love.

Activists also began using other terms like social variant, deviant, and “homophile,” which means “same love,” in an effort to sidestep commonly used slurs, emphasize the loving relationships of same-gender relationships, and protest discriminatory laws. These words were used “as the means whereby individuals could make sense of their own experiences, their active-undergoing of being homosexual in a homophobic environment,” writes sociologist J. Todd Ormsbee.

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By 1980, wrote essayist Edmund White, “gay” had overtaken these other terms for men who are attracted to men. White attributed its growing popularity to the fact that it is “one of the few words that does not refer explicitly to sexual activity.” It was used both to refer to men who love men and anyone who expressed same-gender preference or gender divergence.

“Transgender” becomes part of LGBT

In the 1990s, the longstanding bonds between lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in both daily life and liberation activism led to the widespread adoption of the LGB acronym (lesbian, gay and bisexual).

But it took longer to gain acceptance for another term that is now part of the modern acronym: “transgender.” Though trans people have existed throughout history, the term only came into being in the 1960s. Historians have traced the earliest use of the term to a 1965 psychology textbook, and it was popularized by transfeminine activists like Virginia Prince , who argued that sex and gender are separate entities. As it replaced other terminology that mocked or minimized trans people, “transgender” was increasingly embraced as part of the wider LGBT rights movement and was widespread by the 2000s.

How “queer” became mainstream

More recently, Q has been added to the acronym. In use since at least the 1910s, it was also once a slur used to separate people from a heteronormative society. But “queer” was increasingly used by people within the gay rights movement beginning in the 1990s. Linguist Gregory Coles writes that it “can be read as at once pejorative and honorific,” depending on the speaker’s identity and intention. Scholars largely consider the use of “queer” as one of reclamation.  

( "We are everywhere:" How rural queer communities connect through storytelling .)

Q   also used to stand for “questioning,” as a way to acknowledge those who are exploring their gender or sexual identity. This dual definition points to a larger, ongoing conversation about the meaning of personal identity and whether it’s even appropriate to use umbrella terms like LGBTQ as a shorthand about people’s lived experiences.

An unfinished evolution

Newer appendages to the acronym attempt to embrace an even wider swath of the community. A plus sign, referring to a wide variety of gender identifications and sexual identities, or the initials I (“intersex”) and A (“asexual”) are sometimes added after LGBTQ.

The acronym has its critics, especially among those who argue that no term can ever encompass the entire spectrum of gender and sexual expression. A variety of academic and governmental organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, have recently adopted the term “gender and sexual minority” in an attempt to be even more inclusive.

And it’s all but certain the words people use to describe gender expression and sexual identity will continue to evolve.

“No term is perfect or perfectly inclusive,” wrote a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine committee in a 2020 report. “The beauty of individuality is that self-expression, as well as personal and romantic choices, can manifest in a multitude of ways.”

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LGBTQIA+ Studies: A Resource Guide

1969: the stonewall uprising.

• Main Reading Room Reference Materials
• The Daughters of Bilitis
• The Mattachine Society
• Activism After Stonewall
• Native American and Indigenous Peoples
• Drag and Gender Performance
• HIV and AIDS
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• Bar Raids & Police Brutality
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June 28, 1969 marks the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising, a series of events between police and LGBTQ+ protesters which stretched over six days. It was not the first time police raided a gay bar, and it was not the first time LGBTQ+ people fought back, but the events that would unfold over the next six days would fundamentally change the discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ activism in the United States. While Stonewall became well known due to the media coverage and the subsequent annual Pride traditions, it was a culmination of years of LGBTQ+ activism. Historians have noted that the shift in activism, if Stonewall truly represented one at all, was a shift primarily for white cisgender people, as people of color and gender non-conforming people never truly had the benefit of concealing their marginalized identities.

While the events of Stonewall are often referred to as "riots," Stonewall veterans have explicitly stated that they prefer the term Stonewall uprising or rebellion. The reference to these events as riots was initially used by police to justify their use of force. 

"The rebellion ( it was never a 'riot' ) lasted five inconsecutive nights ( they were not 'riots' )..." -STONEWALL Veterans' Association

It is important to note that there were a number of uprisings against police & state brutality, harassment and entrapment of the LGBT+ communities in the U.S. in the years before Stonewall. These events and the people involved have not received as much historical attention as Stonewall, but are just as central to understandings of U.S. LGBTQIA+ histories. Some of the pre-Stonewall uprisings included: 

• Pepper Hill Club Raid , Baltimore, Maryland in 1955. Over 162 people arrested.
• Hazel's (Hazel's Inn), Sharp Park, California February 1956
• Coopers Do-Nut Raid, Los Angeles, California, 1959
• Black Nite Brawl, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 5, 1961
• Compton's Cafeteria Raid, San Francisco, California, 1966
• Black Cat Raid, Los Angeles, California, 1967
• STONEWALL Veterans' Association External The S.V.A. consists of actual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight (G.L.B.T.S.) patrons from the ~original~ STONEWALL Club in New York City with routine and dangerous N.Y.C. police raids and/or participants in the historic 1969 Stonewall Rebellion!
• Black Nite External Primary sources related to the Black Nite Brawl in August 1961 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There have been many incidents in which police interaction with LGBTQ+ communities has resulted in violence, and in response, protest. Bars were one of the few places LBGTQ+ people could gather in public, and these spaces were frequently raided throughout the 1950s-1970s. It is important to note that in addition to arresting LGBTQ+ people, first-hand accounts reveal the violence that police enacted on those they had arrested. Often, those who had survived police raids were hospitalized or had to seek medical care for their injuries. Notably, an uncounted number of LGBTQ+ people have died as a result of police raids on gay spaces. Police violence and bar raids did not end after Stonewall. One poignant example is the murder of Frederick Wiliam Paez on the 11th anniversary of Stonewall (June 28 1980) who was shot by a police officer who had solicited him.

To find additional materials on this topic, search the Library of Congress Online Catalog :

• Police Brutality
• Demonstrations-1960-1980
• Police 1960-1980
• Pickets- 1960-1980

• LGBTQ History and Culture Since 1940, Part I
• LGBTQ History and Culture Since 1940, Part II
• Sex and Sexuality, Sixteenth to Twentieth Century
• International Perspectives on LGBTQ Activism and Culture

The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog . Links to additional online content are included when available.

The Stonewall Era: 1966-1969

By 1969, the Stonewall Inn (now a national monument) was one of the most popular gay bars in New York City.Throughout the state, homosexuality was considered a criminal offense, and it would take over a decade of organizing before "same-sex relationships" were legalized in 1980 (New York v. Onofre). The criminalization of homosexuality led many gay establishments to operate sans liquor license, providing an open door for raids and police brutality. Like many gay establishments at the time, the Stonewall Inn was owned by the mafia , and as long as they continued to make a profit, they cared very little what happened to their clientele. Because the owners were still making a profit, they simply adjusted to the raids, and were often tipped off about them ahead of time.The Stonewall was raided on average once a month leading up to the raid on June 28, 1969 (Martin Duberman,Stonewall p. 187), and had been raided once already that same week. The Stonewall was also not the only bar in town being frequently raided. “… In the last three weeks five gay bars in the Village area that I know of have been hit by the police” (The Summer of Gay Power and the Village Voice Exposed, COME OUT, 1969). Police raids and harassment were a common occurrence across the U.S. during this time, and amid the growing political activism of the 1960s,LGBTQ+ people began to mobilize and fight back.

Use the following subject browses to find materials on the Stonewall Uprising in the Library of Congress Online Catalog :

• Stonewall Uprising, New York, N.Y., 1969 .
• Gay activists .
• Gay liberation movement .
• Gay rights .
• Johnson, Marsha P .
• Rivera, Sylvia. 

External Resources

• Queen Power, Article in The Rat External An article in the Rat, Subterranean News entitled "Queen Power" chronicling the night of the Stonewall Uprising and the centrality of drag queens, trans, and gender non-conforming participants.
• Village Voice: Full Moon Over Stonewall External Article by a village voice reporter who was at Stonewall. Published July 1969.
• Arrest Reports from the 1969 Stonewall Uprising External A set of police records gathered by OutHistory.org, a Web site run by the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at the City University of New York Graduate Center. The records concern the start of the Stonewall uprising in the early morning of June 28, 1969.
• Stonewall and It's Impact on the Gay Liberation Movement External This set uses primary sources to explore the events preceding and surrounding the Stonewall Inn uprising as well as the aftermath of the riots in the gay liberation movement of the 1970s and 1980s.
• Stonewall 50: Library of Congress Panel Discussion on LGBTQ+ Research A panel discussion on LBGTQ+ research on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

First Pride March: 1970

June 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of annual LGBTQ+ Pride traditions in the United States

The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970 on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Primary sources available at the Library of Congress provide detailed information about how this first Pride march was planned, and the reasons why activists felt so strongly that it should exist. Looking through the Lilli Vincenz and Frank Kameny Papers in the Manuscript Reading Room, researchers can find planning documents, correspondence, flyers, ephemera and more from the very first Pride marches in 1970. This, the very first U.S. Gay Pride Week and March, was meant to give the community a chance to gather together to, "...commemorate the Christopher Street Uprisings of last summer in which thousands of homosexuals went to the streets to demonstrate against centuries of abuse....from government hostility to employment and housing discrimination, Mafia control of Gay bars, and anti-Homosexual laws" (Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee Fliers, Franklin Kameny Papers).

The concept behind the initial Pride march was formally proposed by lesbian activist Ellen Broidy (NYU Student Homophile League), who had written the proposal together with Craig Rodwell (Homophile Youth Movement). E.R.C.H.O. had been organizing an annual July 4th demonstration (1965-1969) known as the "Reminder Day Pickets," at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. At the E.R.C.H.O Conference in November 1969, the 13 homophile organizations in attendance voted to pass a resolution to organize a National annual demonstration, to be called Christopher Street Liberation Day.

As members of the Mattachine Society of Washington, Frank Kameny and Lilli Vincenz participated in the discussion, planning, and promotion of the first Pride along with activists in New York City and other homophile groups belonging to E.R.C.H.O. John Marshall is listed as a representative for the Mattachine Society of Washington in the Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee Files, so researchers may wish to search that name specifically in the Kamney and Vincenz collections. For a comprehensive list of which homophile groups contributed financially to the first Pride, researchers can reference the Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee Bulletin and Reports External . The organization with the largest donation to Christopher Street Liberation Day 1970 was the Queens Liberation Front, donating $50 ( CSLDC Bulletin and Reports External , Cash Receipts Journal).

By all estimates, there were upwards of 3-5,000 marchers at the inaugural Pride in New York City, and today NYC marchers number in the millions. Since 1970, LGBTQ+ people have continued to gather together in June to march with Pride and demonstrate for equal rights.

Watch documentary footage of the first Pride march held in New York City on June 28, 1970, Gay and Proud, a documentary by activist Lilli Vincenz:

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The international LGBT rights movement

DOI link for The international LGBT rights movement

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This essay provides an overview of the transnational movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. Its trajectory has involved individuals, informal networks, nongovernmental organizations, and states. It has not always worked in concert and has often faced resistance from a various but similar constellations of actors determined to stop the global movement for LGBT equality. While progress toward LGBT equality has been marked in many nations, there are other cases where LGBT people are brutally repressed. Although the global human rights community is working toward making LGBT rights an integral element of universal human rights, its ability to enforce these norms and close dramatic disparities in the experiences of LGBT people around the world is so far limited. Using selected historical figures, organizations, and events to illuminate critical junctures in the global LGBT movement, this essay asks readers to contemplate whether global LGBT equality is possible, what such equality might look like, and what actions could be taken at the international level to facilitate that aim.

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Teaching LGBTQ History

Instructional Resources for California Educators, Students, & Families

LGBTQ Rights Timeline in American History

This timeline is organized in units that are typically taught in middle school and high school U.S. History classrooms and is consistent with the people and events listed in the new California History-Social Science Framework (2016). Our Family Coalition will be updating the timeline over time.

It is important to note that there existed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, communities, and relationships long before these terms became commonplace. Gay and lesbian relationships existed in ancient Rome and Greece communities and are shown in a variety of art from that time. The years when common terms began to be used are listed first followed by important LGBTQ history events:

Lesbian – 1732 – the term lesbian first used by William King in his book, The Toast, published in England which meant women who loved women. Homosexual – 1869 – Hungarian journalist Karl-Maria Kertheny first used the term homosexual. Bisexual – 1894/1967. 1872 – the pamphlet, “Psychopathia Sexualis” was translated from German and one of the first times the term bisexual is used. 1967: Sexual Freedom League formed in San Francisco in support of bisexual people. Gay – 1955 – the term gay was used throughout Europe earlier, but this is the year most agree that gay came to mean same-sex relationships between men. Transgender – 1965 – John Oliven, in his book, Sexual Hygiene and Pathology, used the term transgender to mean a person who identifies with a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth.

Colonial Life and Founding of the Nation (1607-1770)

1607 – Founding of Jamestown, Virginia , the first permanent English settlement in America.

1619 – Approximately 20 Africans sold into slavery in Jamestown, Virginia.

1620 – Colonial Plymouth established with Puritan norms . Mayflower contract signed by the men in the group “…for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith…” Established gender norms that determined the nuclear family unit was the basis for all other institutions such as government or church. Men held leadership positions, while women’s purpose was submissive and to “please your husband and make him happy.”

1624 – Richard Cornish of the Virginia Colony is tried and hanged for sodomy.

1630 – Massachusetts Bay Colony was established believing they had made a “covenant with God to build an ideal Christian community.”

1631 – Massachusetts Bay General Court , in accordance with Puritan religious and moral beliefs, declared that the following were considered sex crimes and were punishable by whipping, banishment or execution: fornication, adultery, rape, and sodomy.

1637, 1638 – Trials of Anne Hutchinson in the Massachusetts colony for holding religious meetings in her home since she was not allowed to hold these types of meetings in the male-dominated churches. She was banned from the community.

1649 – Sarah White Norman and Mary Vincent Hammon are charged with “lewd behavior” in Plymouth, Massachusetts, believed to be the first conviction for lesbian behavior in the new world.

1687 – New England Primer published and used in colonial schools (90 pages). Some consider this as the first school-based textbook. Content included letters and words, as well as religious-based prayers and instruction such as, “God created man, male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.”

1691 – Virginia passes the first anti-miscegenation law , forbidding marriage between whites and blacks or whites and Native Americans (overturned in 1967 in Loving v. Virginia).

1714 – Sodomy laws in place in the early colonies and in the colonial militia. These laws remained in place until challenged in 1925.

American Revolution, Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution (1770-1787)

1775 – Population of enslaved people in the colonies is nearly 500,000 .

1776 – Declaration of Independence .

1778 – Lieutenant Gotthold Frederick Enslin of the Continental Army becomes the first documented service member to be dismissed from the U.S. military for homosexuality. Read more at U.S. History Naval Institute Blog / Timeline of Military Gay History.

1779 – Thomas Jefferson proposes Virginia law to make sodomy punishable by mutilation rather than death. It was rejected by the Virginia legislature

The New Republic / Divergent Paths of the American People (1787-1850)

1788 – U.S. Constitution adopted. Includes a three-fifths clause that counted each slave as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of congressional representation and tax apportionment.

1789 – Olauda Equiano , a formerly enslaved person, publishes the narrative, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano , or Gustavus Vassa, The African. It was one of the first widely read narratives of slave life at the time. In it, he describes same-sex relationships he had with other men and the existence of same-sex relationships within the slave culture since slaves were not allowed to marry.

1839 – Margaret Fuller begins hosting conversations about the “great questions” regarding their role and gender around Boston.

1845 – Margaret Fuller published the book, “ The Great Lawsuit” , which asked women to claim themselves to be self-dependent.

1848 – Seneca Falls Convention held in Seneca, NY. First women’s rights convention of 300 men and women. Many signed the “Declaration of Sentiments” which listed the variety of ways women had been disenfranchised from American society.

1848 – The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed between the U.S. and Mexico that ended the Mexican-American War and added land which is today California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado.

1848 – Gold discovered in California , which begins the gold rush. The non-native population in California grew from 1000 to 100,000 by 1849 and was mostly men. The population of San Francisco grew from 850 in 1848 to 25,000 in 1850.

1849 – Lifelong partners Jason Chamberlain and John Chaffee sail from Boston to California to seek their fortunes in the California gold rush . They lived together in Groveland, Ca until Chamberlain died in 1903.

1850 – California becomes a state.

1852 – Writer J.D. Bothwick reports his attendance at a “miner’s ball” – a men’s only dance held in Angels’ Camp in California.

Civil War and Civil Rights (1850-1870)

1857-1861 – James Buchanan elected president. A lifelong bachelor, Buchanan had a long-term relationship with William Rufus King , who served as vice president under Franklin Pierce. The two men lived together from 1840-1853 until King’s death. Some historians suggest Buchanan, by today’s terms, was gay.

1861 – Sarah Emma Edmonds changed her identity to a man named Franklin Thompson and joined the Union army. She was one of 400 documented cases of women who dressed as men as part of the war effort. She changed back to her female identity after being wounded in the war. She eventually married a man and raised three children.

1862 – Jennie Hodgers , disguised as a man named Albert Cashier , enlisted in the Union army in Illinois and fought for three years until the end of the war. She continued living as a man after the war.

1861 – 1865 – Civil War. Read more at U.S. History Naval Institute Blog / Timeline of Military Gay History

1868 – Fourteenth Amendment Ratified . This is the most cited amendment in Supreme Court civil rights cases and has been the basis for landmark civil rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade and Obergefell v. Hodges. Gay rights advocates cite this amendment in support of equality for future court cases.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law, which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

1868 – Two-Spirit, We’wha , a Zuni Native American, meets with President Grover Cleveland.

Industrialization, Westward Expansion, Immigration and Religion (1870-1890)

1870 – Nearly 500,000 Americans had crossed the continental U.S. to the western territories since 1840. Just 10% of these travelers were women .

1879 – Death of Charley Parkhurst , well-known stagecoach driver in Central California who was born a woman, but lived as a man. Buried in Watsonville, Ca.

1886 – Henry James writes the book, The Bostonians, about a long term relationship between two women and the term “Boston Marriages” develops to describe two women living together, independent of financial support from a man.

1889 – Jane Addams , along with other women, open Hull House in Chicago that provided daycare, libraries, classes and an employment bureau for women.

1890 – The term, Lesbian , first used in a medical dictionary.

1890 – Hull House , founded by Jane Addams and other women opens in Chicago, IL with funding from her partner, Mary Rozet Smith.

1890 – Birth of Alan Hart who pioneered the use of the X-Ray for tuberculosis diagnosis and one of the first transgender men in history.

U.S. Rise as a World Power, World War 1, Harlem Renaissance and the Great Depression (1890 – 1939)

1892 – The pamphlet, “Psychopathia Sexualis” is translated from German and one of the first times the term bisexual is used. Written by Richard van Kraft-Ebbing. Translated by Charles Gilbert Chaddock.

1896 – Plessy v. Ferguson (Supreme Court Decision) By a vote of 7-1 declares racial segregation legal and is not an infringement on the equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.

1898 – U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark (Supreme Court Decision) By a vote of 6-2 declares that people born in the U.S. are citizens of the U.S. even if parents are citizens of another country based on the citizenship clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

1895 – Trial of Oscar Wilde (writer and novelist) in London, England and convicted for gross indecency (relationships with other men) and served two years in jail.

1896 – Magnus Hirschfeld , a Jewish German physician and sexologist issued a pamphlet, Sappho and Socrates, on homosexual love (under the pseudonym Th. Ramien).

1907 – Gertrude Stein meets Alice B. Toklas , sparking a legendary romance. In Paris, the two women set up a salon that connects many great writers and artists, including gays. Stein publicly declares her love for Toklas in print in The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, published in 1933.

1907 – Hirschfeld , a Jewish German physician and sexologist, testified at a trial in Germany about a gay relationship and stated, “homosexuality was part of the plan of nature and creation just like normal love.”

1914 – 1918 – World War I

Read more at U.S. History Naval Institute Blog / Timeline of Military Gay History

1917-1935 – The Harlem Renaissance . Historians have stated that the renaissance was “as gay as it was black.” Some of the lesbian, gay or bisexual people of this movement included writers and poets such as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Zora Neale Hurston; Professor Alain Locke; music critic and photographer Carl Van Vechten, and entertainers Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters and Gladys Bentley.

1919 – Hirschfeld, a Jewish German physician and sexologist, established the Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin, Germany . During his lifetime, he was an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights

1924 – The Society for Human Rights , the first gay rights organization, was founded by Henry Gerber in Chicago who had emigrated from Germany. The organization ceased to exist after most of its members were arrested.

1928 – Radclyffe Hall, an English author, published what many consider a groundbreaking lesbian novel, The Well of Loneliness . This caused the topic of homosexuality to be a topic of public conversation in both the United States and England.

World War II (1930-1945)

1933 (May 6) – In Germany, students led by Nazi Storm Troopers broke into the Institute for Sexual Science founded by Magnus Hirschfeld in Berlin and confiscated its unique library. Four days later, most of this collection of over 12,000 books and 35,000 irreplaceable pictures were destroyed along with thousands of other “degenerate” works of literature in the book burning in Berlin’s city center. (Hirschfeld was out of the country at the time and lived out the rest of his life in France).

1933 – 1945 – Nearly 100,000 German homosexual men were rounded up and placed in concentration camps along with Jewish people. They were designated by a pink triangle on their clothing.

1941 – Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, all U.S. citizens participated in the war effort and enlistments occurred at the rate of 14,000 per day in 1942. Gay and lesbian people joined as well – men in the military living in same-sex dorms, and women as part of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) and in factories on the home front found themselves in same-sex surroundings as well. In addition, men who fought in Europe, during their leave time, found same-sex relationships more relaxed than in the U.S.

1944-1945 – As the war came to an end, U.S., British and Soviet forces liberated people held in Nazi concentration camps in Germany.

1945 – German Homosexual men, designated by a pink triangle on their clothing, were the last group to be released from the Nazi concentration camps after liberation by the Allied forces because Paragraph 175 of the German Criminal Code stated that homosexual relations between males to be illegal.

Social Transformation and Foreign Policy Post WW2 / Lavender Scare (1945-1960)

1948 – Alfred Kinsey, an American biologist and sexologist at Indiana University issues the first report, Sexual Behavior of the Human Male, was published and discussed male homosexuality (Also known as the Kinsey report).

1950 – U.S. Congress issues the report entitled “ Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government ” is distributed to members of Congress after the federal government had covertly investigated employees’ sexual orientation. The report states that since homosexuality is a mental illness, homosexuals “constitute security risks” to the nation.

1950 – The Mattachine Society formed in Los Angeles, California by activist Harry Hay and is one of the first sustained gay rights groups in the United States. The Society focused on social acceptance and other support for homosexuals. Various branches formed in other cities. The organization continues today with different objectives.

1952 – Christine Jorgensen became one of the most famous transgender people when she underwent a sex change operation and went on to a successful career in show business.

1952 – The American Psychiatric Association’ s diagnostic manual lists homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disturbance that could be treated.

1952 – U.S. Congress passed and President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Immigration Act that barred “aliens afflicted with a psychopathic personality, epilepsy or mental defect.” Congress made clear that this was meant to exclude “homosexuals and sex perverts.”

1953 – Kinsey Report, Sexual Behavior in the Human Female , was published and discussed female homosexuality.

1953 (April 27) – Executive Order 10450 issued by President Dwight D. Eisenhower banning homosexuals from working for the federal government stating they are a security risk. This order stays in place until 1993 when President Bill Clinton and the U.S. Congress enact the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.

1954 – Hernandez v. Texas (Supreme Court Decision) Unanimous decision declared that Mexican-Americans and other nationalities had equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. Up to this time, non-White people were systematically excluded from serving on court juries.

1954 – Brown v. Board of Education (Supreme Court Decision) Unanimous decision that determined that separate was not equal in schools and violate the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Overturned previous decision of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) that had declared that separate was equal.

1955 – Daughters of Bilitis , the first lesbian rights organization is founded in San Francisco, California by Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. They hosted private social functions, fearing police raids, threats of violence and discrimination in bars and clubs. The organization lasted until 1969.

1957 – Frank Kameny , an astronomer for the U.S. Army Map Service, was released from government service because of his homosexuality, an outgrowth of Executive Order 10450. He had earned his doctorate in astronomy from Harvard University and was a professor of astronomy at Georgetown University before taking a government position. Kameny appealed the decision to the Supreme Court but was rejected.

1958 – One v. Olesen (Supreme Court Decision) Without oral arguments, the Supreme Court issued a decision stating that first amendment free speech rights protected the publishing of “One Magazine”. Up to this point in time the U.S. Postal Service had the power to open any magazine or mail they determined to be “obscene, lewd, and/or lascivious.” They also had the power to keep lists of people who received such publications; and had lists of homosexual men who received the publication, “One Magazine.” The publication was a gay man’s publication associated with the Mattachine Society.

Civil Rights, Space Race, Vietnam and Protests (1960-1975)

1961 – Frank Kameny, an astronomer dismissed from government service, forms the Washington D.C. branch of the Mattachine Society (The society was originally founded in Los Angeles in 1950).

1962 – Illinois becomes the first state to decriminalize homosexual acts between two consenting adults in private.

1963 – Bayard Rustin , an associate of Martin Luther King, and a gay African American man helped organize the March on Washington that culminated with King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

1966 – Compton’s Cafeteria Riot , San Francisco. Transgender and drag queens in San Francisco reacted to ongoing harassment by the police force. After several days, the protests stopped. One of the outgrowths was the establishment of the National Transsexual Counseling Unit (NTCU) in support of transgender people.

1967 – The Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop opened in New York City by Craig Rodwell. The bookshop was the first of its kind in the U.S. that was devoted to gay history and gay rights.

1967 – Loving v. Virginia (Supreme Court Decision) Unanimous decision overturned state laws that prohibited inter-racial marriage or miscegenation laws. Agreed that anti-miscegenation laws violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. First miscegenation law was passed in 1691.

1969 (June 27-29) – The Stonewall Riots , New York City. The Stonewall Inn was a gay bar in Greenwich Village in New York City. In response to an unprovoked police raid on an early Saturday morning, over 400 people, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight people protested their treatment and pushed the police away from the area. Some level of rioting continued over the next six nights, which closed the Stonewall Inn. The Stonewall Riots became a pivotal, defining moment for gay rights. Key people at the riots who went on to tell their stories were: Sylvia Rivera, Martha P. Johnson, Dick Leitsch, Seymore Pine and Craig Rodwell.

1969 – Gay Liberation Front organization formed in New York following the Stonewall Riots to advocate for sexual liberation for all people.

1969 – The Gay Activist Alliance formed in New York by a group who were not satisfied with the direction of the Gay Liberation Front. Their purpose was more political and they wanted to “secure basic human rights, dignity and freedom for all gay people.”

1970 – The first gay pride marches were held in multiple cities across the United States on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, including San Francisco and Los Angeles / West Hollywood.

1971 – The “Body Politic” Magazine began publishing in Toronto, Canada. Became one of the most widely read publication regarding LGBT rights.

1972 – The National Bisexual Liberation Group formed in New York.

1972 – The play, “Coming Out!” written by Jonathan Ned Katz, is performed for the first time in New York and provides a historical perspective of gay life from the colonial period to the present.

1973 – Roe v. Wade (Supreme Court Decision) By a vote of 7-2 determined that women have a right to privacy protected by the Fourteenth Amendment and choice regarding abortion.

1973 – The American Psychiatric Association, after considerable advocacy by Frank Kameny and members of the Mattachine Society, changed the classification of homosexuality as a mental disorder. It was not until 1987 that homosexuality was completely removed from the APA list of mental disorders. The APA found that “the latest and best scientific evidence shows that sexual orientation and expressions of gender identity occur naturally…and that in short, there is no scientific evidence that sexual orientation, be it heterosexual, homosexual or otherwise, is a freewill choice.”

1974 – Elaine Noble becomes the first openly gay person to be elected as a state legislator; she served in the Massachusetts State House of Representatives for two terms.

The Conservative Resurgence (1975-2000)

1977 – Anita Bryant, former American singer and Miss America Pageant winner formed a group called “Save Our Children” to protest against a Dade County, Florida ordinance preventing discrimination against homosexuals. Her campaign was successful and the law was repealed. Gay and lesbian activists and organizations, including Harvey Milk, condemned the action and in response, boycotted Florida Citrus Commission products, for which Bryant was a spokesperson. In 1980, Bryant was fired as the spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission and in 1998, a new gay and lesbian rights ordinance was passed. This was one of the first times the LGBT community realized the political power they possessed.

1978 – The Briggs Initiative , a statewide proposition in California, was defeated by 58% of the voters. The initiative would have banned gays and lesbians from working in California’s public schools.

1975 – The Bisexual Forum founded in New York City and the Gay American Indians Organization founded in San Francisco.

1976 – The book, Gay American History: Lesbians and Gay Men in the U.S.A ., is written by Jonathan Ned Katz based on his play of 1972. This was the first book that documented gay history in the U.S.

1977 – Harvey Milk elected county supervisor in San Francisco and becomes the third “out” elected public official in the United States. Quebec, Canada passed laws to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in both the private and public sectors.

1978 (June 25) – In San Francisco, the Rainbow Flag is first flown during the Gay Freedom Parade; the flag becomes a symbol of gay and lesbian pride.

1978 (Nov. 27) – San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk is assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone. Supervisor Dan White is convicted of voluntary manslaughter and is sentenced to seven years in prison.

1979 – National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Over 100,000 people gathered in support of gay and lesbian rights.

1979 – Chapters of the national organization of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) are founded across the United States.

1981 (June 5) – AIDS Epidemic begins. The U.S. Center for Disease Control reported the first cases of a rare lung disease, which would be named AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) the following year. There were a total of 583, 298 U.S. men women and children who would die from AIDS through 2007.

1983 – San Francisco AIDS Foundation co-founded by Cleve Jones, Marcus Conant, Frank Jacobson and Richard Keller.

1983 – Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Watkins v. United States Army . The New York Times published an article in 1991 detailing Perry Watkins’ settlement with the U.S. Army following his win in the courts.

1985 – Rock Hudson dies. He was a leading actor in many movies in the 1950s and 1960s. He died of complications related to AIDS. After his death, it was revealed that he was gay and had several male relationships.

1985 – The AIDS Quilt concept was conceived and implemented by Cleve Jones, an LGBT activist in San Francisco.

1986 – Bowers v. Hardwick (Supreme Court Decision) By a vote of 5-4 that a Georgia sodomy law criminalizing oral and anal sex in private between consenting adults was legal and that there were no constitutional protections for acts of sodomy. (Was overruled in 2003: See Lawrence v. Texas).

1987 – The organization, ACT UP formed in New York. The purpose of ACT UP was to impact the lives of people living with AIDS, to advocate for legislation, medical research and treatment, and to bring an end to the disease. The organization is still active today.

1988 (Dec. 1) – The World Health Organization (WHO) declared December 1 as the first World AIDS Day .

1993 – The U.S. Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” that allowed gay and lesbian people to serve in the military. They would not be asked their sexual orientation during enlistment screening.

1994 – Greg Louganis , four-time Olympic gold medalist and considered one of the greatest divers in history, publicly came out as gay as part of the Gay Games in New York City. He subsequently wrote a book entitled Breaking the Surface that was published in 1996. In it he revealed his Olympic experiences, coming out journey, and that he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988.

1997 – Ellen DeGeneres , a comedian, TV actor and television host was one of the first popular entertainers who publicly came out as a lesbian during an interview on the Oprah Winfrey show and then became the first openly gay character on the TV show, “Ellen.” She was then highlighted on the cover of Time Magazine and other news organizations.

1998 – Matthew Shepard , a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was brutally attacked and tied to a fence in a field outside of Laramie, Wyo. and left to die because he was gay. He died from his wounds several days later. This was one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in America and resulted in a federal law passed 10 years later in 2009 called the “Hate Crimes Prevention Act”, a federal law against bias crimes directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people.

The 21st Century Transformation (2000-Present)

2003 – Lawrence v. Texas (Supreme Court Decision) Ruled by a vote of 6-3 that a Kansas law criminalizing gay or lesbian sex was unconstitutional declaring the importance of constitutional liberty and privacy consistent with the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Also overturned the court decision in Bowers v. Hardwick (1986) stating that the court had made the wrong decision.

2008 (November) – Proposition 8 passes with a 52% yes vote in California declaring that marriage is between a man and a woman.

2010 – The U.S. Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” so that gay and lesbian people could serve openly in the military. One person present at the signing ceremony in the White House was Frank Kameny who had been released from military service in 1958 because of discriminatory policies against gay and lesbian people. Read more at U.S. History Naval Institute Blog / Timeline of Military Gay History

2013 – Hollingsworth v. Perry / California Proposition 8 (Supreme Court Decision) By a vote of 5-4 agreed that the Supreme Court could not overrule the decision of the California Supreme Court and that the petitioners were not legally able to file this claim. In addition, it ruled that the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment does not prohibit the state of California from defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Proponents of Proposition 8 in California appealed a lower court decision that ruled that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court would not hear the case, which meant that Proposition 8 was held unconstitutional and that same-sex couples could legally be married in California.

2013 – U.S. v. Windsor / Repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act – DOMA (Supreme Court Decision) By a vote of 5-4 ruled that defining marriage as just between a man and a woman is unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment guarantee of equal protection. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1996 and stated that marriage or legal unions are between one man and one woman. This decision ruled the congressional law as unconstitutional and that states have the authority to define marital relationships. This decision was rendered the same day as the decision in Hollingsworth v. Perry.

2015 – Obergefell v. Hodges (Supreme Court Decision) The Court voted 5-4 that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This decision mandated that states must allow same-sex couples to legally marry.

Global Thinkers

Argument: India and the Global Fight for LGBT Rights India and the Global Fight for LGBT Rights...

India and the Global Fight for LGBT Rights

In striking down a ban on gay sex, the supreme court inspired activists across the world..

In September 2018, LGBT people in India celebrated after the country’s Supreme Court unanimously struck down a colonial-era ban on gay sex. It was an important moment for LGBT rights that not only reversed a relic of British oppression but also ordered that LGBT Indians be accorded all the protections of their constitution. This was a welcome victory, but it does not necessarily mean that LGBT people in India are fully free or perceived as equal among their fellow citizens—and it underscores how much work remains to be done in the rest of the world to overturn antiquated and repressive anti-gay laws.

Let’s be clear: Criminalizing same-sex relations makes it illegal to be LGBT. My country, Uganda, still has laws on the books similar to those that were struck down in India—and LGBT people in Uganda continue to face persecution and discrimination. Criminal laws hang over our community like a dark cloud. Individuals live in fear of harassment and prosecution for being who they are. As the Indian Supreme Court explicitly acknowledged, the criminalization of same-sex intimacy brings with it shame and rejection. LGBT people effectively become unapprehended felons and pariahs.

The most remarkable part of the Indian court’s decision is that it didn’t just use a universal standard of human rights to decriminalize homosexuality; it also acknowledged the responsibility of the state to help end the stigma attached to being LGBT. The court could have gone even further and emphasized that the Indian government should put in place mechanisms that would allow the reconciliation of shunned LGBT children and their parents. Doing so would help end the practice of parents forcing arranged marriages on those children—something that can lead to trauma and other mental health problems. It would also help end the shocking practice of “corrective rape,” in which families subject their LGBT children to nonconsensual sex.

[ The Little Ice Age could offer a glimpse of our tumultuous future, Amitav Ghosh writes. ]

“History owes an apology to the members of this community and their families, for the delay in providing redressal for the ignominy and ostracism that they have suffered through the centuries,” Justice Indu Malhotra wrote in her judgment. But one wonders whether these rights include the freedom of marriage or divorce. For true equality to prevail, those rights must be explicitly and fully extended to LGBT people.

India also needs to help reconcile LGBT Indians with their various religious communities; following the court’s decision, many conservative Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders, who are often at loggerheads, blasted the ruling as shameful and promised to contest it. Such a reconciliation would right a historic wrong. It was not local religious leaders but British colonialists who introduced these barbaric laws to India. Hinduism, which is the dominant religion in India, was quite accepting of LGBT people before the British introduced Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code in the 1860s, imposing harsh penalties on whoever has “carnal intercourse against the order of nature.” That provision was then extended from India out across the British Empire. It is the reason why most former British colonies are still, to this day, not only hostile to same-sex love but also actively opposed to it.

Uganda has similar laws dating back to the colonial period—and these laws have long been used to abuse the rights of LGBT people through arbitrary arrests and unfair trials. We cannot hold events and trainings in public or private without authorities seeking to arrest us. For the last two years, we have been unable to hold a pride parade; when we tried in 2016, we were brutally arrested by the Ugandan police. Anti-gay laws also empower mob violence, forced evictions, and social exclusion.

Britain today is far less homophobic than it once was. Indeed, the British government is strongly advocating for the decriminalization of LGBT relations in its former colonies—but words and statements aren’t enough. The Commonwealth and the British government must be more active in ending the scourge of homophobia and acknowledge their historical role in fostering it.

Until then, even as we celebrate India’s success, Uganda’s LGBT community won’t have the chance to enjoy the sweet taste of equality.

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2019 issue of  Foreign Policy magazine .

Frank Mugisha is the executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda. Twitter:  @frankmugisha

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Gay Liberation Movement

How it works

Can an individual of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community truly be accepted into today’s society? People disagree whether gays, lesbians, and transgenders should have the same rights as heterosexuals. As one side believes that regardless of sexuality everyone should be treated equally, others think that a homosexual lifestyle breaks traditional values and it’s not morally ethical. Discrimination against LGBTQ residents, same-sex marriage, and same-sex adoption have been a motivator of the LGBTQ in their fight.

People of the LGBTQ community have been longing for acceptance from family and friends and appeal to our nation’s leaders and politicians, as to our own President, Donald Trump.

Dating back to ancient history, many well-known leaders, dictators, and mythological gods like Athena and Hercules have had several same sex lovers. The colonists in early America placed an emphasis on family life and procreation, and those engaging in homosexual acts were seen as running counter to these efforts (“LGBT Rights Timeline”). Lesbian women were punished less severely than homosexual men (“LGBT Rights Timeline”). About the beginning of the 1900s is when people started to take the initiative to fight for the rights of LGBTQ community. Around the early 1920s the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was formed partly to defend the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people (“LGBT Rights Timeline”). In 1924, the Chicago Society for Human Rights was founded by Henry Gerber and believed to be the first gay rights group in America (“LGBT Rights Timeline”). Up into 1973, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) one of the largest psychiatric organizations in the world deemed homosexuality as a mental illness or sickness. In the summer of 1978, the rainbow flag was created and would later be an international symbol of LGBTQ rights (Branson-Potts A1).The abbreviation LGBT came into use in the 1990s (Karson).

Significantly, over the next 40 years the LGBTQ community continued to fight for their rights as equals. The 1960s is were events like the gay liberation movement really took its toll on the “traditional” values of the American people. The civil rights and women’s rights movement that demanded equal rights for oppressed groups served as a model for the gay liberation movement and embolden homosexuals to disclose their sexual orientation (“LGBT Rights Timeline”). Also known as the gay rights movement their reign of action began in the U.S. with the stonewall riots of 1969. The gay liberation movement is a social and political movement created in the late 1960s to urge gays and lesbians to engage in a more direct attack and counter shame societal outlooks using events like gay pride and parades. They advocated for equal rights for gay men, lesbian women, bisexuals, and transgenders calling for an end of discrimination against all who associate themselves with the LGBTQ. Their methods of action were coming out, direct action, consciousness raising, and civil resistance. The growing number of anti-gay organizations and the onset of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, which helped their opponents block legal protection for gays and lesbians, slowly became an obstacle for them.

In fact, statistics show that most kids, teens, and even young adults find “coming out” as one of the biggest milestones with dealing with the LGBTQ identity. Coming out is term which describes an individual who self-discloses their homosexual sexual orientation or gender identity to either a close family member or peer. LGBTQ youth are often targets of discrimination, struggle with depression, and face a greater risk of homelessness (Guerra B1). LGBTQ people are more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other group in America. According to Education Week magazine (2017), signed into law in 2012, California’s FAIR Education Act requires all students to learn about the contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, as well as people with disabilities (“LGBT Timeline”). An estimated 88 percent of LGBTQ youth of color say they dealt with discrimination in the past year (Guerra B1). Nearly half of young people who have self-identify as LGBTQ have contemplated suicide, compared with 11 percent of youth who do not identify as LGBTQ (Guerra B1). An estimated 35 percent “had devised a plan, and 25 percent of LGBTQ youth say they had attempted suicide, five times the rate of non-LGBTQ youth” (Guerra B1). Similar challenges have plagued the older generations, almost one-third of 33 percent of LGBT adults ages 50 to 75 have been diagnosed with depression (Guerra B1). Emotional and mental issues are an obstacle for all LGBTQ residents of all ages.

The “traditional” definition of marriage excluded gay and lesbian couples, leading to an intense same-sex marriage debate that raged for many decades. Many states hardly recognized homosexual marriage and roughly some didn’t care about the subject matter as a whole. Same-sex marriage is the marriage of two persons of the same sex or gender, entered into a civil or religious ceremony. In the United States, same-sex marriage was made legal in all fifty states by the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015 (Karson). Prior to the Obergefell case, same-sex marriage was legal in at least thirty-eight states, Guam, and the District of Columbia, in addition some states still held restrictions on some LGBTQ rights. This ruling established the right to marry for all persons in the United States and its territories (Karson). It was hard-fought victory for those who believed that homosexual couples deserve the same marriage right has heterosexual ones. Americans are still not quite sure that same-sex marriage is a right, or that a same-sex marriage is equal to a “Bible-approved” straight marriage (Curry B5). Gay people have been fighting for their families and challenging the exclusion from marriage since Stonewall (Bonauto and Wolfson 11). Fourteen percent of the U.S. population now live in states that either have the freedom to marry gay couples or honor out-of-state marriages of gay couples (Bonauto and Wolfson 11). Same-sex relationships and marriages have significantly altered family law, by leading to new formal relationship statuses and incorporation of the principle that both of a child’s legal parents can be of the same sex.

According to same-sex adoptions statistics, more and more couples are adopting in today’s society. In fact, same-sex couples are four times more likely to be raising an adopted child than a heterosexual couple. Some states granted full adoption rights to homosexual couples, while others banned it entirely or only allowed the partner in a same-sex relationship to adopt the biological child of the other. Laws forbidding adoption agencies from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation have led to a retrenchment in religious adoption services in some states (Gershman). Adoption in the U.S. is currently in a state of flux and statistics on total number of adoptions nationwide are hard to come by (Gershman). Religious objections to same-sex couples and anti-discrimination laws have escalated since same-sex marriage was ruled legal back in 2015. Some found that enforcing anti-discrimination rules “will not help a single child in need find a loving home” (Gershman). But they would remove highly capable providers from the system based on their sexual orientation, sadly, taking away a home for a vulnerable child. According to Flowers of the Philadelphia Daily News (2018) she stated that in this battle of same-sex adoption kids do have the fundamental right to loving parents and a safe home. The number of children in need of foster care is increasing in most states. And around eighty percent of those who try to foster a child give up within two years (“Foster the People”). About 120,00 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted (“Foster the People”).

Knowledge of the LGBTQ community varied amongst respondents to a survey of facts and opinions. Ten people were surveyed for both portions. Ninety percent of participants did realize that courts have prohibited states from banning gay adoptions. Fifty percent of the respondents did not believe that some states had granted same-sex couples full adoption rights. Only (20%) knew when same-sex marriage was legalized. All correctly guessed (100%) that LGBTQ youth faced discrimination when dealing with their sexual identity. Most people (60%) knew what the gay liberation movement was and when it was created. Only a staggering 10% knew how many states legalized same-sex marriage before the case of Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015.

For opinions, 90% agreed that LGBTQ history should be taught in schools around the world. Amazingly, a hundred percent of respondents agreed that individuals should be treated equally and be accepted for who they are regardless of their sexual orientation. Most people (80%) agreed that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children regardless of sexual beliefs for a deserving foster child to have a loving home. Most (90%) agreed that America and other countries should be more open to new things and ideas instead of being stuck in their own ways. A hundred percent agreed that marriage should be between two people who love each other regardless of gender or sex. From the data shown above, overall most people aren’t aware of the issues going around in today’s society and events that happened in the past. But most were willing to learn and change their views on what type of rights the LGBTQ community should receive. Most hardly knew any knowledge of the gay liberation movement but agreed that everyone should be treated equally no matter your sexual orientation. For example, some people were shocked that only a couple years ago that same-sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states. The ideas and thoughts of some respondents definitely changed on how they viewed themselves and the LGBTQ community. As people look at discrimination of the LGBTQ residents, same-sex marriage, and same-sex adoption, they ask, “Can an individual of the LGBTQ community truly be accepted into today’s society”.

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Equal Rights for LGBT Community

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JBMW | The Not-So-Unified Narrative of the LGBT Movement

By Evan Lenow

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Many Americans see the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) movement as a unified whole marching toward an end-goal of equality, acceptance, and significance within society. 1 The four letters used to describe the coalition flow off the tongues and through the keyboards of activists and dissenters alike. However, not everything  is as unified as some may portray. Is the narrative of the LGBT movement really a unified whole, or are there underlying differences between factions in the group? Is there a unified political goal to be achieved that hides a schism below the surface? Such questions are beginning to be asked, and Christians contending for truth need to be aware of fissures within the LGBT movement.

What rests beneath the surface is a conflict of narratives between the LG’s (Lesbians and Gays) and the BT’s (Bisexuals and Transgenders). Jillian Todd Weiss acknowledges this division when she observes,

While many gays and lesbians feel that ‘bisexual’ and ‘transgender’ are simply names for part of their community, others actively reject the idea that bisexuals and trans- genders are part of their community, seeing them as entirely separate and distinct. Heterosexism against bisexuals and transgenders exists not only in the straight community, but in the gay and lesbian community as well. Some feel, as we shall see, that bisexuality and transgenderism are detrimental to the social and political acceptance of gays and lesbians. 2

Because the divisions between LG’s and BT’s are clearest on the issues of gender and marriage, this essay will sketch out the typical, public LGBT narrative on gender and marriage and then demonstrate how bisexuals and transgendered people undermine the public agenda of the LGBT movement. In doing so, we will see that this coalition of convenience may rupture unless one of the two groups is willing to shift its narrative to appease the other.

THE GENDER NARRATIVE

The unified LGBT agenda attempts to remove any distinction among genders, particularly for roles in relationships, ability in the workforce, and cultural stereotypes. There is a commitment to pure egalitarianism whereby no specific gender has a unique role or function. This is crucial especially for homo- sexuality because the nature of their relationships require no gender differences. When two women or two men enter into an intimate relationship, any gender roles they express must be socially constructed rather than biologically determined. Thus, one of the points of the LGBT narrative is that gender has no real impact on roles. Supporters of the LGBT movement who also claim to write from a Christian perspective have picked up on this and even point out the inconsistency of Christian egalitarians for dismissing specific gender roles in heterosexual couples as unbiblical while still holding to anatomical differences for a proper understanding of sexual intercourse. 3

An added aspect to the LGBT narrative regarding gender is the idea that any gender roles evident in society are the result of outdated cultural stereotypes. These stereotypes have been carried along from days of yore by older generations, but the LGBT movement  calls on the younger generation to jettison such distinctions between male and female for the sake of gender equality. They demand equality without distinction. They want culture to be “gender blind.” While these calls for gender equality have some merit—because it is important to acknowledge there have existed and still exist women who are oppressed—the current push for gender equality goes much further than a desire for equal rights or equal pay. The LGBT agenda demands that there be no distinction made on the basis of gender for anything—public  facilities, athletic competition, and even marriage. The LGBT position on gender appears to be the epitome of egalitarianism. But is it consistent?

CHANGING GENDER REINFORCES  STEREOTYPES

The often-forgotten quadrant of the LGBT movement is the ‘T’—transgendered  individuals who sometimes face the scorn and opposition of the more mainstream lesbians and gays. Even though some may find it odd that there is division in the ranks of this powerful movement, there is good reason for division. Transgenderism undermines the public gender narrative that has been successfully promoted in the culture.

Susannah Cornwall describes transgender people as those “who feel that their gender identity, or sense of being a gendered self, doesn’t ‘fit’ their biological sex according  to the usual pattern.” 4 As a result of this conflict of identity, transgender individuals take various measures to conform to their sense of gender. This can include anything from dressing in styles typical of the opposite gender, taking hormones to change hair growth and voice, or even include the radical measure of gender reassign- ment surgery to change their genitals to match their sense of gender. In June 2014 Time released a magazine issue with the cover story headline: “The Transgender Tipping Point: America’s Next Civil Rights Frontier.” In the article, Katy Steinmetz follows the lives of several people who have made the transition from the gender with which they were born to the opposite gender. In each case, however, the transgendered individual took steps to conform to the cultural norms of male or female. In no ex- ample did the author attempt to demonstrate how transgendered individuals sought to lose all gender identification. 5

The problem with such behavior for the LGBT movement  is that changing appearance or physical features conforms to stereotypical gender norms that the LGBT movement publicly dismisses as unimportant. Thus, it should come as no surprise that there is a competing narrative within the LGBT community regarding gender. The public narrative calls on society to erase gender distinctions and make gender a cultural artifact. At the same time, transgendered  individuals seek to conform to cul- tural stereotypes of dress, appearance, voice pitch, and sometimes even sexual complementarity.  Such conformity undermines the public narrative on gender. However, as Weiss notes,

The difference between ‘homosexual’ and ‘GLBT’ is elusive to many Americans. . . . Many are unaware of any significant distinction between ‘GLBT’ and ‘homosexual.’ Yet within the GLBT population itself, these distinctions mark intense personal and political struggles. The divisions between gay and lesbian and bisexual and transgender are far deeper and more significant to each other than to those outside. 6

For those of us pursuing a biblical understanding of gender, we can actually take note of the division within the LGBT movement to emphasize our perspective. While we do not condone the lifestyle of transgendered individuals, we recognize that they have a glimpse of the truth that gays and lesbians have sought to eradicate. The underlying goal of transgendered  individuals  is to pursue the unique gender distinctions of either male or female. The problem is that they deny their own biological gender to do so. Thus, they see the beauty of gender distinctions, but they deny the gender they were born to be. Gender distinction  is part of what God has revealed to us in nature about how he created mankind (Gen 1:27; cf. Rom 1:18–32); however, the specific way that transgendered individuals pursue such distinctions  is still corrupted by the fall. Even in sin, we sometimes get a glimpse of the truth.

THE MARRIAGE NARRATIVE

The second area of conflict within the LGBT movement is on the question of marriage. Since the historic Supreme Court decisions issued in Hollingsworth v. Perry and United States v. Windsor on June 26, 2013, marriage amendments in states that had defined marriage as a union of one man and one woman have been steadily falling in court cases. Later this year, the Supreme Court will again rule on this issue, and based on all legal, political, and cultural trends, it is quite possible that 2015 will be the year same sex marriage arrives in all fifty states.

The LGBT movement has publicly supported  the repeal of these marriage amendments  as they seek “marriage equality” nationwide. Part of the narrative for marriage equality involves the call for the right to marry whomever one wishes. Any refusal to allow same-sex marriage couples to wed is tantamount to a denial of their ability to express themselves freely. The recognition of same-sex relationships as marriage has become a central feature of the LGBT movement. In their minds, to deny those relationships is to deny members of that community equal personhood.

Among those who claim to be Christians and lobby for same-sex marriage, the language  is often stronger. Matthew Vines proposes there are only two options for gay Christians—mandatory  celibacy or church-sanctioned  same-sex marriage. However, he states that mandatory celibacy is harmful.

For gay Christians,  the challenge of mandatory celibacy goes far beyond their mere capacity to live it out. Mandatory celibacy corrodes gay Christians’ capacity for relationship in general. But it does something  else equally harmful: by requiring gay Christians to view all their sexual desires as temptations  to sin, it causes many of them to devalue, if not loathe, their bodies.

Vines’ proposal, then, is that both the church and the state should recognize and commend same-sex marriage as an equal expression of relationship and sexuality.

Within the LGBT narrative regarding marriage, the overwhelming majority calls for monogamous same-sex marriage. 7 Monogamous  same-sex marriage keeps the general idea of marriage  as a relationship between two individuals in place while dismissing the importance of gender complementarity as a necessity for that relationship.  As the public narrative of the LGBT push for marriage equality, monogamy continues to be important, keeping this relational chimera as close to traditional foundations  as possible.

THE INEQUALITY OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Following the logic of the same-sex marriage agenda, it is not difficult to see another rift within the LGBT movement. This time it comes directly from the bisexuals in the movement. As Matthew Vines implies in his appeal for authorizing same-sex marriage, a denial of such a relationship in effect denies the value and identity of the individual. When applied to bisexuals, that same logic calls into question why the LGBT movement is solely focused on monogamous marriage.

The struggle for inclusion of bisexuals in the larger homosexual movement has always revolved around whether bisexuality is an actual identity. Paula C. Rodríguez Rust notes the tension as she writes,

As the gay and lesbian civil rights movements gained momentum in the mid- to late twentieth century, the lack of conceptual “space” for bisexuality grew into a lack of social and political space as well. Bisexual men and women were regarded as disingenuous homosexuals who would not come out to join the lesbian and gay community and political struggle and who wanted the ‘best of both worlds’ without sharing the burdens of minority status. To lesbians and gay men, continued heterosexual desires and behavior implied a lack of commitment to the struggle for gay and lesbian equal- ity; bisexual persons were often labeled as traitors  or told to ‘finish’ coming out as lesbian or gay. 8

As the culture continues to struggle with the identity of bisexuals, the LGBT push for same-sex marriage has left them on the outside looking in. For marriage to be truly inclusive of the entire LGBT community, the marriage equality movement would also call for polygamy and polyamory. For example, a person who identifies as bisexual may appreciate the option of entering into a same-sex marriage relationship; however, to do so, he must deny the heterosexual desires that he also claims as part of his identity. This would limit his legally-recognized sexual expression to just one half of his self-proclaimed sexual identity. To use Vines’ logic, this could be harmful to his identity and cause him to “devalue, if not loathe, [his] body.” 9

Within Christian  circles that are open to same-sex marriage, the call for anything more than monogamy has been absent. However, the definitions of marriage offered in those circles leave little to prevent the next step from happening. Vines argues that procreation and complementary gender roles are not necessary for a biblical vision of marriage. Instead, he argues, “What seems to me to be most important in marriage is not whether the partners are anatomically different from one another. It’s whether the inherently different people involved are willing to keep covenant with each other in a relationship of mutual self-giving.” 10 On the basis of mutual self-giving and covenant-keeping, Vines calls for Christians to endorse monogamous  same-sex marriage. Yet, he offers no logical reason for discriminating on the basis of number. If all that is involved is self-giving and covenant-keeping, could not more than two people live up to that standard? The LGBT marriage narrative is not an inclusive narrative, and those who identify as bisexual should be opposed to the public marriage narrative being pushed by their community. The marriage equality movement  is not equal for all.

If marriage equality is truly unequal, then it provides another approach to the debate for those of us who understand marriage to be limited to one man and one woman. Although we may be accused of “crying wolf ” or inventing a slippery slope, the logic is sound.  Marriage equality intentionally excludes bisexuals, and the only way to include them is a redefinition of marriage so radical that it strips the term “marriage” of all its meaning. 11 All that would be left is a government-sanctioned, voluntary relationship for the purpose of asset distribution,  tax benefits, and inheritance rights. Real marriage equality bears no resemblance to the historical institution of marriage.

A CALL TO BIBLICAL SEXUALITY

Through the evidence above, we have seen that the LGBT movement is not as unified as the public face of the community would have us to believe. There are major divisions and inequalities in the movement that typically rest below the surface of what most people in our culture see. However, the divisions are real, and they threaten the strength of the movement if they ever come to the surface.

Even though the focus of this essay has been to expose the fissures in the LGBT movement, I want to end with a call back to biblical sexuality. Genesis 1–2 gives us a clear picture of God’s design for sexuality from the beginning. In Genesis 1:27 we read, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female, he created them.” From the outset, God created two genders—male and female. Every example of godly sexual expression we see from that point forward in Scripture comes through the union of a man and woman in marriage. Genesis 2:24 tells us, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” When Jesus discusses marriage and sexuality in Matthew 19 and Mark 10, he appeals to these two foundational verses in Genesis. When Paul talks about marriage in Ephesians 5, he also appeals to the complementary nature of man and woman and points back to Genesis 2:24 as the key text.

Monogamous,  heterosexual marriage is commended, and even celebrated,  as the biblical expression of sexuality. All departures from this standard are considered acquiescence to the sinful, fallen nature of mankind. Thus, we do not point out the conflict in the LGBT movement as an end in itself, but we do so for the purpose of calling everyone caught up in sexual sin back to God’s plan for sexual- ity. We should be reminded of the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:11 after he pointed out a number of sins—including some of a sexual nature—in the church at Corinth: “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

1. As it stands today in the ever-evolving world of queer studies, LGBT is an outdated acronym. As Allen Metcalf observes in a recent article in The Chronicle for Higher Education, the alphabet soup of queer studies now includes queer and questioning, unidentified, intersex, asexual, and genderqueer, resulting in a new acronym: LGBTQQ2IA (Allen Metcalf, “LGBTQQ2IA,” Lingua Franca, August 19, 2014, accessed October 24, 2014, http://chronicle.com/blogs/linguafran- ca/2014/08/19/lgbtqq2ia/). For the purpose of this article we will simply focus on the first four classifications.

2. Jillian Todd Weiss, “GL vs. BT: The Archaeology of Biphobia and Transphobia Within the U.S. Gay and Lesbian Community,” in Bisexuality and Transgenderism: InsterSEXions of the Others , ed. Jonathan Alexander and Karen Yescavage; (New York: Rutledge, 2012), 29.

3. Matthew Vines, God and the Gay Christian (New York: Convergent, 2014), 27–28.

4. Susannah Cornwall, Theology a n d Sexuality (London: SCM Press, 2013), 47.

5. Katy Steinmetz, “America’s Transition,” Time , 9 June 2014, 38–46.

6. Weiss, “GL vs. BT,” 29.

7. There are exceptions like Jilliam Keenan, who calls for the legalization of polygamy, and Kody Brown, who sued the state of Utah in order to decriminalize bigamy. See Jillian Keenan, “Legalize Polygamy!: No. I am not kidding,” Slate , April 15, 2013, accessed March 29, 2015, http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/04/legalize_polygamy_mar- riage_equality_for_all.html. See also the decision in Brown, et al v. Buhman , available at https://ecf.utd.uscourts.gov/ cgi-bin/show_public_doc?211cv0652-78.

8. “Aging in the Bisexual Community,” in Paula C. Rodrígeuz Rust, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging: Challenges in Research, Practice, and Policy (ed. Tarynn M. Witten and A. Evan Eyler; Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 2012), 168.

9. Vines, God and the Gay Christian , 50.

10. Ibid., 147.

11. Not surprisingly, we are already seeing this kind of argument take shape from polyamorous and polygamous “marriages.” For instance, in the wake of the Windsor decision, CNN reported about the rising desire of polyamorous relationships to be legally recognized. Emanuella Grinberg, “Polyamory: When Three Isn’t a Crowd,” CNN Living , October 26, 2013, accessed October 24, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/26/living/relationships-polyamory/ . Likewise, as mentioned above, Utah took steps towards legalizing polygamy with its ruling in the “Sister Wives Case,” John Schwartz, “A Utah Law Prohibiting Polygamy Is Weakened,” New York Times , December 14, 2013, accessed October 24, 2014, http://www. nytimes.com/2013/12/15/us/a-utah-law-prohibiting-polygamy-is-weakened.html.

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National News | LGBTQ leaders on the past, present and future…

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National News | LGBTQ leaders on the past, present and future of the equality movement

While the Stonewall Uprising was not the first time the community fought back against oppression, those six days of confrontations with police — which began in the early hours of June 28, 1969 — marked a new, and global, era in the fight for LGBTQ equality.

After more than five decades of incredible victories and devastating setbacks, the community continues on its path toward full equality, with resilience, determination and joy — a journey made possible by the tireless work of generations of LGBTQ leaders.

Here’s what some of today’s most influential names at the forefront of the fight for equal rights have to say about the past, present and future of the LGBTQ rights movement .

Kelley Robinson (she/her), cisgender woman, queer

Human Rights Campaign president, Washington, D.C.

Pride is: Freedom

Inspiration to become a voice for change in the fight for LGBTQ equality: Growing up in Chicago, I saw firsthand the discrimination that Black and LGBTQ+ folks faced almost daily. Being Black and Queer came with its own unique set of hurdles which inspired me to take up the fight for equality. I’m aiming to create lasting change that will benefit generations to come. My father always told me to live like I’m going to be somebody’s ancestor. That’s exactly what I hope to do through the fight for equality — to be an ancestor that future Black queer folks can look back on with pride, knowing I did my part to create a world where they can live freely and authentically.

Most significant LGBTQ victories since Stonewall: From the passing of the Marriage Equality Act lifting the ban on same-sex marriage to the Bostock ruling which created a federal ban on discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees, our community’s resilience has paved the way for the freedoms we have today.

Biggest challenges facing the community: The LGBTQ+ community has been under attack from state legislatures across the country and that discrimination weighs heavily on queer folks. The challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community are a direct result of politicians choosing hate and discrimination towards people who are just trying to live their lives. However, it’s in these moments that we must remain strong and refuse to waver in the face of opposition — we must remember that people attack us not because we are weak, but because we are strong.

Looking ahead: The future of LGBTQ+ activism is brighter than ever. By 2040, nearly one-fifth of eligible voters will identify as LGBTQ+ , and this younger generation is paving the way for even greater progress. In the months ahead, our community must utilize our significant voting power in the upcoming election to ensure we send champions for equality to office up and down the ballot. Because when we show up — equality wins.

Best thing about being LGBTQ: It’s about redefining norms and charting our own course! We have the power to challenge outdated societal expectations and create narratives that truly represent us. We’re the architects of our own lives, building diverse communities and embracing our authentic selves. Our experiences foster resilience, empathy, and innovation, equipping us with unique perspectives to tackle life’s challenges.

Sarah Kate Ellis (she/her), cisgender woman, lesbian

GLAAD CEO and president, New York

Pride is: VOTE

Inspiration to become a voice for change: Growing up on Staten Island, I didn’t see lesbian women like me as moms, wives, and business leaders. I hope to reach LGBTQ young people and make sure they see themselves represented in media, business, and across our culture — so that they see and know that their dreams are possible.

Most significant LGBTQ victories since Stonewall: Our community has seen immense wins in the past 55 years. Increased acceptance — a 91% supermajority of non-LGBTQ Americans agree that LGBTQ people should have the freedom to live our lives and not be discriminated against. In many ways, many in our community are more free — to live, to love — and marry! — [and] to experience joy. But we have a long way to go, especially when it comes to intersectional issues like abortion, as well as the acceptance of transgender people, who are under unprecedented attacks today.

Biggest challenges facing the community: GLAAD’s research shows that 71% of Americans say they have never met a trans person . Anti-LGBTQ extremists are exploiting that knowledge gap, and horrifically using attacks on trans youth in particular, to spread lies about who trans people are in an attempt to boost their political careers. This has unfortunately paved the way for some states to ban medically necessary healthcare, and for disinformation to be distilled deep in the minds of Americans.

Looking ahead: The next five months are critical. It is so important that LGBTQ people and our allies understand what is at stake, and the LGBTQ records of each candidate. GLAAD has tracked more than 300 pro-LGBTQ actions from the Biden-Harris White House. We also have tracked more than 200 anti-LGBTQ actions from the former Trump Administration. In the last presidential election, LGBTQ voters made the deciding difference. We have the power to make that difference again.

Best thing about being LGBTQ: Spending time with my wife and our two amazing teens.

Mark Takano (he/him), cisgender man, gay

U.S. representative , first openly gay person of color elected to Congress, Riverside, Calif.

Pride is: Freedom.

Inspiration to become a voice for change:  How can someone not be a voice for change when one’s being is directly tied to sometimes hostile societal and political norms? It is the nature of everyone to try to bring about a world that lets them live authentically.

Most significant LGBTQ victories since Stonewall: The Briggs Initiative [which would’ve banned LGBTQ teachers] failed in California, landmark cases like Lawrence v. Texas [which would’ve criminalized gay sex] and Obergefell v. Hodges [which legalized same-sex unions] at the U.S. Supreme Court changed the country, and we saw the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy . I am also proud that the Biden Administration passed the Respect for Marriage Act to enshrine same-sex marriage, but that was only possible in the first place because so many brave individuals came out to their friends and family to change public opinion across our nation.

Biggest challenges facing the community: Targeting of trans people . We have to stand in solidarity with our trans siblings against extremists who are vilifying them. These ideologues fully intend to reverse the hard-earned acceptance of the other parts of our community. We cannot shirk our responsibility to stand as one.

Looking ahead: We must fight back against the mountain of anti-trans bills in the legislators by passing the Equality Act, a transformational piece of legislation that would update federal civil rights law to include protections for LGBTQ+ people. We must also stand up to hate both globally and locally, from calling out discrimination in foreign nations to voting in local school board elections.

Best thing about being LGBTQ: Discovering that what I once thought was a vulnerability could actually be my biggest strength. If I could tell young queer people one thing, it’d be to never allow yourself to think you should be something other than who you really are.

Desi Napoles (he/she/they), genderfluid, nonbinary

Student and LGBTQ+ youth advocate, New York City

Pride is: Authenticity

Inspiration to become a voice for change: While I was growing up, I encountered bullying and challenges that made me realize how important it is for LGBTQ+ youth to have visible role models and support. I was inspired by the courage of LGBTQ+ activists who came before me and saw an opportunity to use my voice to make a difference, especially for young people who might be struggling with their identity or facing discrimination.

Most significant LGBTQ victories since Stonewall: The legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide was a major milestone for the LGBT community. There has been significant progress in LGBTQ+ representation in media and politics as well, which helps change hearts and minds. A growing number of schools and communities are providing support for LGBTQ+ youth .

Biggest challenges facing the community: In addition to homelessness , mental health issues remain a major concern for LGBTQ+ youth. A major challenge is the surge in political legislation and laws targeting LGBTQ+ youth, who are among the most vulnerable in the community.

Looking ahead: The future of LGBTQ+ activism lies in empowering youth and amplifying diverse voices. As a community, we need to focus on three main areas: First, we need to fight discriminatory laws targeting LGBTQ+ youth, alongside other marginalized and vulnerable groups. Second, increasing access to mental health support and safe spaces online and offline. And third, we must keep educating the public so that acceptance and understanding will increase.

Best thing about being LGBTQ: [To have] the freedom to embrace and express your authentic self. There’s an incredible sense of community and solidarity. Being LGBTQ+ also gives you a unique perspective on the world and the opportunity to challenge societal norms, potentially making the world a better place for everyone.

Sasha Colby (she/her), transgender woman, pansexual

Trans rights activist, winner of season 15 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Los Angeles, Calif.

Pride is: Protest

Inspiration to become a voice of change: My main inspiration was being the victim of inequality because of being LGBTQ+. When you are disenfranchised and marginalized and you have a bit of a voice, you will use it to scream as loud as you can and fight against the inequities you had to go through for the next generation. Just so it can be a little easier for them.

Most significant LGBTQ victories since Stonewall: Representation and normalization of queer people in the media and political spheres in the world have increased exponentially during that time, which has segued into material change for people on the ground. The legalization of gay marriage was a huge triumph, and queer couples [now] have the ability to adopt children and give them healthy, happy home lives. Also, in the 55 years since Stonewall , one of the biggest achievements has been the lifespan of trans women , and especially trans women of color, increasing during that time.

Biggest challenges facing the community: Miseducation, misinformation, lack of empathy, the abundance of fear and control — targeted towards people who are just trying to be themselves — is hard to watch and experience. I think that’s one of the biggest challenges we face as a community: showing others how fictive their beliefs, political structures and moral values towards humanity are through our authenticity.

Looking ahead: We live in an insane time in world history right now. It is only going to get worse before it can possibly get better. As a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I always see the future in activism because we have to and no one else is going to advocate for us. Our focus in the next few months, years, and decades should be doing what we feel is intrinsically right as humans, for other humans. Listening blindly to what the media and politicians are saying hinders our ability to make positive and educated decisions about what is right for ourselves and our community.

Best thing about being LGBTQ: Oh my God, everything. I wake up every morning so grateful that I’m queer . The life that queer people get to have is really what life is all about. You get to make your own life, you get to create your own path, and you have this strength from birth. When you know you’re queer, you go against what religion, or your parents, or school, or friends will tell you because you know, in your gut, you’re practicing the human experience to its fullest. I think that’s like the most amazing thing about being queer, is that we are living our own human experience the way it’s intended to be, on our own terms.

Eric Marcus (he/him), cisgender man, gay

Journalist, bestselling author, founder and host of the “Making Gay History” podcast , New York City

Pride is: Self-respect

Inspiration to become a voice for change: This goes back to the first national anti-gay campaign , which was led in the late 1970s by the popular singer and Florida orange juice brand ambassador Anita Bryant. I was a college student at the time and was outraged by the disgusting things she and her supporters said about people like me. So when I’ve had professional opportunities as a journalist to show the truth about our lives — whether it was producing a story about the AIDS crisis at CBS Morning News back in the 1980s or sharing the stories of our LGBTQ+ ancestors through my “Making Gay History” podcast — I’ve used my work to set the record straight. So to speak!

Most significant LGBTQ victories since Stonewall: The single biggest victory is that the generations that came before us, dating back to the founders of the first gay rights organization in the U.S. in 1950, made it possible for many — if not most — of us who are LGBTQ+ to live openly. To be ourselves. To live our lives. To love and to marry.  And to do so without fear of being incarcerated, lobotomized, rejected by our families or fired.

Biggest challenges facing the community: Politically motivated bigotry directed at the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ people — trans children and adults in particular.

Looking ahead: There are opportunities at every level to help make a difference, from participating in counter-protests and donating to organizations already engaged in defending the rights of LGBTQ+ people, to simply being honest with friends, family and colleagues about your identity. Visibility is — and has been — key to changing hearts and minds. In the coming months, our focus needs to be on the election and defeating anti-gay candidates from the White House on down to the local school board. Vote!

Best thing about being LGBTQ: When I came into an understanding of my sexuality in the 1970s, I thought my life was ruined. But it turns out that because I’m gay I’ve had many opportunities to make a positive difference in the world through my work that I could never have imagined. And even though I was told that I was condemned to a life alone (you can’t believe the awful stuff I read in the 1970s about homosexuals and the kind of miserable life we could expect to lead), my partner and I just celebrated our 30th anniversary.

Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen (he/him), transgender man, gay

Executive director for the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), Washington, D.C.

Pride is: Hope

Inspiration to become a voice for change: Coming out as transgender, it was obvious that most people had never met a trans person before. I always wanted to make a change in the world, and I realized the absolute best way I could do that was by advocating for trans people. Helping to put a face to the community and humanizing us as real flesh-and-blood people was the single most effective thing I could do.

Most significant LGBTQ victories since Stonewall: We have made advancements in nondiscrimination protections, military service and being elected to public office. Today, many LGBTQI+ people hold key political and governmental positions, live their lives fully and authentically, and are celebrated for who they are.

Biggest challenges facing the community: In 2023 alone, we fought over 500 proposed anti-LGBTQI+ bills , over 450 of which specifically targeted transgender people. These bills sought to harm the LGBTQI+ community, including bans on transition-related healthcare, criminalization of drag, restrictions on allowing transgender and intersex students to participate in sports and more. In our recently released U.S. Transgender Survey , nearly half (47%) of the respondents considered moving to another state because of these attacks. And now in 2024, NCTE is tracking over 400+ anti-trans bills in state legislatures — we unfortunately anticipate that the number will continue to increase.

Looking ahead: This will be a crucial election for our community, given how hostile the previous administration was towards trans people and our families. The NCTE, soon to be Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), is urging states to take swift action to protect their residents and families fleeing the most dangerous states. Local elected officials need to start planning measures to protect their trans constituents, and states should create funding streams for gender-affirming healthcare to ensure continued access for those who might lose healthcare due to cuts in federally funded programs.

Best thing about being LGBTQ: I think being LGBTQI+ can teach you independence. It encourages you to live a life of your own creation. In the best-case scenario, you get to discover your authentic self and do what actually makes you happy, not merely what other people expect from you. Of course, many of our LGBTQ+ neighbors are still rejected or even attacked for embracing their authenticity. My goal is to help create a world where everyone can step into that truth with safety and confidence.

Ash Orr (he/they), trans nonbinary, pansexual

Trans organizer and abortion storyteller, West Virginia

Pride is: Inclusivity

Inspiration to become a voice for change: Growing up as a closeted queer and trans person in Appalachia, the idea of physical spaces embracing both “queer” and “West Virginian” seemed like an improbable dream. It wasn’t until I openly embraced my identity as both trans and queer, that I started meeting fellow trans West Virginians whose stories revealed that being trans in rural Appalachia is nothing new. This realization gave me the courage to live my truth and to help rewrite the narratives surrounding our community and region.

Most significant LGBTQ victories since Stonewall: Advancements in legal rights, military service, adoption and representation.

Biggest challenges facing the community: Our right to exist and live authentically is under constant attack from extremist politicians. We’re witnessing bans on sports participation, the loss of access to abortion and gender-affirming healthcare, and attempts to legally erase our community. As a result, LGBTQI+ folks and our families are having their entire lives upended and their health and safety threatened.

Looking ahead: Here, in the heart of West Virginia, we are reflecting on the progress we’ve made and searching for ways to sow the seeds of a stronger and more resilient community.

Best thing about being LGBTQ: Being able to live authentically, experiencing the world through a unique and beautiful lens.

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America Got Gay Marriage, but It Came at a Cost

By Omar G. Encarnación

Mr. Encarnación is the author of the forthcoming book “Framing Equality: The Politics of Gay Marriage Wars.”

It’s a strange time for gay rights in America. As the country nears the 10th anniversary of the legalization of gay marriage nationwide, support for it has risen to 70 percent of the American public. But at the same time, L.G.B.T.Q. people are being targeted in ways not seen since the days of Save Our Children , Anita Bryant’s infamous 1977 campaign against gay rights that depicted gay men as human garbage and pedophiles.

In recent years, Republican-controlled state legislatures have banned drag shows, gender-affirming care for minors and adults , and the teaching of sexual orientation from kindergarten through the third grade, including the passage of Florida’s “ Don’t Say Gay” law . Panic about “ grooming ,” a homophobic slur that exploits people’s worst fears about gay people and children, is having a moment .

Even Obergefell v. Hodges , the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage nationally, is under attack. In 2020, Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas cast doubt on the legality of the ruling, which could yet go the same way as Roe v. Wade. The Respect for Marriage Act , passed by Congress in 2022, did not codify the ruling into law and would provide scant protection.

Clearly, marriage equality was not enough to bring full equality to L.G.B.T.Q. Americans. It would be wishful to think it could, perhaps. But the gay marriage campaign was a major missed opportunity to expand L.G.B.T.Q. equality. When compared with its foreign counterparts, the American campaign was notable for one thing: the extraordinary modesty of its framing.

The approach was good enough to make gay marriage the law of the land. Yet by failing to make a more ambitious case for equality across the board, as other countries did, the campaign limited the transformative power of gay marriage and created an opening for today’s backlash.

Inspired by the civil rights movement’s struggle for equality under the law, the campaign — which ran for roughly two decades until the ruling in 2015 — was framed around rights and benefits. It spotlighted the rights denied to same-sex couples, including tax deductions, inheritance provisions and hospital visitation privileges.

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Watch CBS News

President Biden, Elton John visit NYC's Stonewall National Monument to mark 55 years since riots

By Shosh Bedrosian , Ali Bauman , Jennifer Bisram

Updated on: June 28, 2024 / 11:27 PM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK --  President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and legendary singer-songwriter Elton John were in New York City on Friday to attend the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center , which memorializes the site of riots that sparked the gay rights movement in 1969. 

"It set an example, I'm not exaggerating, for the entire world. That's what this center, this monument, this month is all about," Pres. Biden said. 

"It reminds us that our differences are precious and our similarities infinite," the first lady said. 

Opening the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center

The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center  on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village officially opened to the public Friday, and it's free to visit. 

Officials say it honors the legacy of the rebellion and is a hub for learning about the history and continued struggles of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. 

"For generations, LGBTQI+ Americans have summoned the courage to live proudly, even when it meant putting their lives at risk. 55 years ago at the Stonewall Inn in New York, brave LGBTQI+ individuals did just that and formed a movement that would transform our nation," Pres. Biden wrote on X before speaking at the opening. 

Organizers hope the center will teach visitors about LGBTQ+ history and ongoing struggles for liberation.

"I think it's very important for people of this generation to understand the struggles of the past. We tend to forget that rights that are won can just as easily be lost," visitor Rohin Naio said.

"It's here to honor all of the elders that fought for our rights. It's to give hope to all the youth that are still suffering or are feeling oppression," said Steve Love Menendez. 

Menendez told CBS New York he visits Stonewall every day to check on the rainbow flags on display . 

"I'm the creator of the rainbow flag display here at the park," he said. "So I come every morning to restore any missing flags and make sure everything looks beautiful for everyone to enjoy."

The Stonewall Inn became a national monument in 2016. This is the first LGBTQ+ visitor center recognized by the National Park Service. 

55 years since the Stonewall Riots

Friday marked  55 years since the Stonewall Uprising , which set off six days of clashes between police and LGBTQ+ protesters.

The Stonewall Inn is considered the birthplace of the gay rights movement.

On June 28, 1969, when homosexual acts were still outlawed in New York City, police raided the bar -- a place of refuge for the gay community and frequent target of harassment. 

The community had enough, and the riots that followed spearheaded LGBTQ+ activism in the United States.

"To be here in this place where literal history has been made, it's pretty powerful. And to hear that it's being celebrated in such a way, just adds that much more power to it," said Monica Jaso, who is visiting Stonewall from Chicago. "It just will kind of solidify that we have a place in history."

The inn can be accessed by the newly renamed Christopher Street-Stonewall subway station.

"Renaming this station is a recognition of that tremendous battle in our history," MTA CEO Janno Lieber said.

NYC Pride March and weekend events

New York City's annual Pride March is this Sunday, June 30. It dates back to 1970, one year after the uprising. 

The march starts at noon and steps off from 25th Street and Fifth Avenue near Madison Square Park.

This year's theme is "Reflect. Empower. Unite," with a focus on the power of people coming together for "Queer liberation and joy."

Pride events have been held all month, looking toward a future without discrimination, where all people have equal rights under the law. 

Here are some upcoming events this weekend :

• Youth Pride, 12 p.m. Saturday at South Street Seaport Museum
• SATURGAY by Hot Rabbit, 9 p.m. Saturday at CIRCO Times Square
• The Main Event by Masterbeat, 10 p.m. Saturday at Terminal 5
• PrideFest street fair, 11 a.m. Sunday in Greenwich Village
• Bliss Days, 2 p.m. Sunday at The DL

See the full list of Pride events and more details here.

• Pride Month

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Pride Month culminates with annual NYC Pride March

Pride Month went out with a bang Sunday as thousands lined the streets of Manhattan to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

“We human too. That’s it. I’m gay, I’m happy. Have a good day,” Yunepha Sumpter said.

What You Need To Know

Pride month went out with a bang sunday as thousands lined the streets of manhattan to celebrate the lgbtq+ community the annual nyc pride march is the culmination of pride month in the city marchers made their way from the flatiron district to the stonewall national monument, then north towards chelsea, passing the new york city aids memorial this month also marks 55 years since the stonewall inn uprising started what would become the modern day gay rights movement.

The annual NYC Pride March is the culmination of Pride Month in the city. Marchers made their way from the Flatiron District to the Stonewall National Monument, then north towards Chelsea, passing the New York City AIDS Memorial.

“It’s extremely important for us to be able to celebrate our freedom, to celebrate our authenticity, to celebrate our lives,” Thomas Faraldo said.

This month also marks 55 years since the Stonewall Inn Uprising started what would become the modern day gay rights movement. One year later, in 1970, the first NYC Pride March was held on Christopher Street. Many say New York City is the first place they felt true acceptance.

“I grew up in a small town in the Midwest and always being told that something is wrong with me — being able to find a big city, find a place where people are celebrating the thing my small town tried to make me feel other for, it’s such a beautiful feeling,” Matthew Conley said.

Organizers say the driving force behind the march has changed over time to include raising awareness about the fight against AIDS and anti-LGBTQIA legislation. Paradegoers say the fight for equality is still ongoing.

“So many youths don’t have that support and that love. We are still fighting for equality in 2024 so it’s extremely important,” Faraldo said.

Organizers said this year’s theme was: Reflect. Empower. Unite. It encouraged advocates, community leaders and allies to reflect on the challenges they have overcome together and empowered them to take action in shaping the future of the LGBTQ community.