Index: Gay Rights

Apr 7,

1912

Harry Hay, Gay Rights Pioneer, is Born

Nov 10,

1924

Society for Human Rights, First Gay Rights Group, Founded

Mar 29,

1950

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

Nov 11,

1950

Mattachine Society Founded – First National Gay Men’s Rights Group

Apr 11,

1953

Mattachine Society Draws 500 to Gay Rights Convention in LA

Sep 21,

1955

Daughters of Bilitis Founded; First U.S. Lesbian Group

Jan 13,

1958

Supreme Court Ends Post Office Ban on Homosexual Materials

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

Oct 21,

1964

American Mental Health Association Denounces “Hysteria” Over Homosexuality

Apr 17,

1965

Mattachine Society Pickets White House to Demand Equal Rights for Homosexuals

Feb 19,

1966

National Planning Conference of Homophile Organizations Held

Nov 27,

1967

First Gay Book Store Opens in New York City

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

Nov 10,

1973

Lambda Legal Defense Fund Holds First Formal Meeting

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Miami Gay Rights Ordinance Repealed

Jun 18,

1977

President Carter Puts Foot in Mouth – Calls Same-Sex Relationships “Not Normal”

Nov 7,

1977

Harvey Milk, Openly Gay Man, Elected San Francisco Supervisor

Mar 20,

1978

Florida Supreme Court Rules Homosexuals Can Practice Law

Nov 7,

1978

California Voters Reject Ban on Lesbians, Gays Teaching in Public Schools

Nov 27,

1978

Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone Assassinated in San Francisco

Oct 14,

1979

National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights

Mar 2,

1982

Wisconsin First State to Ban Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Aug 3,

1982

Michael Hardwick Arrested in Bed for Sodomy Law Violation – Heads to Supreme Court

Sep 17,

1985

President Reagan Finally Breaks Silence on HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Nov 14,

1985

Gay Rights Town Hall Meeting, GLAAD Formed

Jun 30,

1986

Supreme Court Upholds Anti-Sodomy Laws

Oct 11,

1988

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

Nov 6,

1990

Seattle Voters Reject Repeal of Domestic Partnership Ordinance

Jul 13,

1992

Roberta Achtenberg, First Openly Lesbian Woman to Address National Political Convention

Apr 25,

1993

Huge Gay Rights March in Washington, D.C.

Dec 21,

1993

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

May 20,

1996

Victory for Lesbian and Gay Rights in the Supreme Court: “Romer v. Evans”

Oct 7,

1998

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

Jun 26,

2003

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

Nov 18,

2003

Massachusetts State Court Establishes Right to Same-Sex Marriage

Nov 4,

2008

Proposition 8 – California Bans Same-Sex Marriage

Apr 7,

2009

Vermont Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Jul 18,

2011

Paul Oetken Confirmed as First Openly Gay Man to be Federal Judge

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

May 6,

2015

Nebraska Woman Sues All Gay People on Earth !

Jun 26,

2015

Same-Sex Marriage Constitutional ! – Supreme Court Rules

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