Topic: Gay Rights

Apr 7,

1912

Harry Hay, Gay Rights Pioneer, is Born

Mar 29,

1950

Lavender Scare: Senator Claims “Thousands” of Homosexuals in Federal Government

Apr 11,

1953

Mattachine Society Draws 500 to Gay Rights Convention in LA

Jan 13,

1958

Supreme Court Ends Post Office Ban on Homosexual Materials

Jan 27,

1961

Activist Frank Kameny Brings First Gay Rights Case to the Supreme Court

Jan 1,

1962

Illinois Repeals Sodomy Law

Jun 20,

1964

Lesbian Conference Hears Two Drs. Challenge Idea that Homosexuality is a Disease

Sep 19,

1964

Nation’s First Gay Rights Demonstration Held

Apr 17,

1965

Mattachine Society Pickets White House to Demand Equal Rights for Homosexuals

Feb 19,

1966

National Planning Conference of Homophile Organizations Held

Apr 21,

1966

Gay Rights “Sip-In” at Julius’ Bar, NYC

Jun 28,

1969

Stonewall Inn Riots – Lesbian, Gay Rights Movement Born

Nov 2,

1969

First Gay Pride March Proposed

Jun 27,

1970

First Gay Pride Parade Held in Chicago

Jun 28,

1970

First Gay Liberation Day (Gay Pride March) in New York City

Mar 25,

1975

First Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S.?

May 21,

1976

Candidate Jimmy Carter Opposes Discrimination Against Homosexuals

Mar 26,

1977

Lesbian and Gay Activists Meet in White House, First Time Ever

Jun 7,

1977

Miami Gay Rights Ordinance Repealed

Jan 4,

1982

“Gay Men Certainly Have a Health Crisis.” Larry Kramer: “That’s Our Name!”

Mar 2,

1982

Wisconsin First State to Ban Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Apr 21,

1985

“The Normal Heart,” By Gay Rights Activist Larry Kramer, Opens Off-Broadway

Nov 14,

1985

Gay Rights Town Hall Meeting, GLAAD Formed

Mar 18,

1986

Conservative William Buckley Says Tattoo Gay Men on Their Buttocks

Jun 30,

1986

Supreme Court Upholds Anti-Sodomy Laws

Mar 24,

1987

First AIDS Demonstration by ACT UP

Oct 11,

1987

National Coming Out Day – March in Washington

Oct 11,

1988

Lesbian and Gay Rights Group ACT UP Shuts Down FDA for a Day

Dec 21,

1993

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy on Homosexuals in the Military Formally Adopted

Feb 17,

1994

Randy Shilts, Journalist and AIDS Activist, Dies

Oct 7,

1998

Matthew Shepard, Gay Student, Beaten, Robbed, Left to Die

Apr 26,

2000

Vermont Legalizes Civil Unions

Jul 1,

2000

Vermont Civil Union Law Takes Effect

Jun 26,

2003

Anti-Sodomy Laws Unconstitutional: “Lawrence v. Texas”

Apr 3,

2009

Iowa Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Apr 7,

2009

Vermont Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Jun 3,

2009

New Hampshire Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Feb 23,

2011

Obama Administration Stops Defending Defense of Marriage Act

Jun 15,

2012

Obama Hosts First-Ever Gay Pride Reception at White House

May 23,

2013

Boy Scouts Drop Ban on Homosexuality

Mar 26,

2015

Indiana Passes Anti-Gay “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” – Backs Off a Week Later

Jun 23,

2015

Stonewall Inn, Center of Birth of Lesbian and Gay Rights Movement, Gains Landmark Status

Jun 26,

2015

Same-Sex Marriage Constitutional ! – Supreme Court Rules

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