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Society for Human Rights
The Society for Human Rights is founded by Henry Gerber in Chicago. It is the first documented gay rights organization. -
Mattachine Society
The Mattachine Society is formed by activist Harry Hay and is one of the first sustained gay rights groups in the United States. The Society focuses on social acceptance and other support for homosexuals. -
Executive Order
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs an executive order that bans homosexuals from working for the federal government, saying they are a security risk. -
Daughters of Bilitis
The first known lesbian rights organization in the United States forms in San Francisco. Daughters of Bilitis (DOB). They host private social functions, fearing police raids, threats of violence and discrimination in bars and clubs. -
Illinois
Illinois becomes the first state to decriminalize homosexuality by repealing their sodomy laws. This occurred in 1961 -
Lambda Lega
Lambda Legal becomes the first legal organization established to fight for the equal rights of gays and lesbians. Lambda also becomes their own first client after being denied non-profit status; the New York Supreme Court eventually rules that Lambda Legal can exist as a non-profit. -
Maryland
Maryland becomes the first state to statutorily ban same-sex marriage. This occurred on the first day of the year in 1973. -
Flag
Inspired by Milk to develop a symbol of pride and hope for the LGBT community, Gilbert Baker designs and stitches together the first rainbow flag. -
Wisconsin
Wisconsin becomes the first state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. This happened on March 2, 1982 -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
President Bill Clinton signs a military policy directive that prohibits openly gay and lesbian Americans from serving in the military, but also prohibits the harassment of "closeted" homosexuals. The policy is known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." -
The Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act
The Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act goes into effect as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. The law allows a judge to impose harsher sentences if there is evidence showing that a victim was selected because of the "actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person." -
Defense of Marriage Act
President Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act, banning federal recognition of same-sex marriage and defining marriage as "a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife." -
Vermont
Vermont becomes the first state to legalize civil-unions between same-sex couples. This occurred on April 26, 2000. -
"Homosexual Conduct" law
The US Supreme Court strikes down the "homosexual conduct" law, which decriminalizes same-sex sexual conduct, with their opinion in Lawrence v. Texas. The decision also reverses Bowers v. Hardwick, a 1986 US Supreme Court ruling that upheld Georgia's sodomy law. -
Massachusetts
The first legal same-sex marriage in the United States takes place in Massachusetts.This occurred on May 17, 2004. -
California
The California legislature becomes the first to pass a bill allowing marriage between same-sex couples. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes the bill. -
New Jersey Supreme Court
The New Jersey Supreme Court rules that state lawmakers must provide the rights and benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. -
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
President Obama signs the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. The law does some of the following: removes, in the case of hate crimes related to the race, color, religion, or national origin of the victim, the prerequisite that the victim be engaging in a federally protected activity, like voting or going to school. -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed, ending a ban on gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military. This repeals Bill Clinton's policy in 1993. -
ABC interview
In an ABC interview, Obama becomes the first sitting US president to publicly support the freedom for LGBT couples to marry. -
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party becomes the first major US political party in history to publicly support same-sex marriage on a national platform at the Democratic National Convention. -
United States v. Windsor
In United States v. Windsor, the US Supreme Court strikes down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, ruling that legally married same-sex couples are entitled to federal benefits. The high court also dismisses a case involving California's proposition 8. -
United States Supreme Court denies review
The United States Supreme Court denies review in five different marriage cases, allowing lower court rulings to stand, and therefore allowing same-sex couples to marry in Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin. The decision opens the door for the right to marry in Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming. -
Lifting ban on transgender people in military
Secretary of Defense Carter announces that the Pentagon is lifting the ban on transgender people serving openly in the US military. -
Kimberly Hively
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rules that the Civil Rights Act prohibits workplace discrimination against LGBT employees, after Kimberly Hively sues Ivy Tech Community College for violating Title VII of the act by denying her employment. -
Trump's Tweet
President Donald Trump announces via Twitter that "After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US Military..." -
Jeff Sessions
In a memo to all federal prosecutors, Attorney General Jeff Sessions says that a 1964 federal civil rights law does not protect transgender workers from employment discrimination and the department will take this new position in all pending and future matters. In February 2018, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals releases an opinion that sexual orientation discrimination constitutes a form of discrimination and that it is a form of sex discrimination. -
Transgenders in the Military
A second federal judge rules against Trump's prohibition on transgender individuals serving in the military. The Pentagon announces it will begin processing transgender applicants to the military on January first, while the Department of Justice continues to appeal the ruling. -
First Transgender Person Joins US Military
The Pentagon confirms that the first transgender person has signed a contract to join the US military. This comes shortly after Trump sets a ban on transgender in the military. -
President Trump Rescinds His Previous Policy
President Trump rescinds his previous policy to allow a new policy to take effect that will likely disqualify most transgender people from serving in the US military. The White House announces that the policy will say "transgender persons with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria -- individuals who the policies state may require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery -- are disqualified from military service except under certain limited circumstances."
