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The Society for Human Rights was founded by Henry Gerber in Chicago in December 1924. The society is the first gay rights organization as well as the oldest documented in America.
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Biologist and sex researcher Alfred Kinsey published Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. From his research Kinsey concludes that homosexual behavior is not restricted to people who identify themselves as homosexual
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Gay rights activist Harry Hay founds America’s first national gay rights organization. The goal of Mattachine Society was to change public perception of homosexuality, Hay stated "eliminate discrimination, derision, prejudice and bigotry," to assimilate homosexuals into mainstream society, and to cultivate the notion of an "ethical homosexual culture."
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The United States Senate released a report, "Employment of Homosexuals and Other Sex Perverts in Government" that was distributed to all associates of Congress after the government had secretly investigated employees' sexual orientation at the start of the Cold War.
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In San Francisco in 1955, the first lesbian-rights organization in the United States, the Daughters of Bilitis was established. This Daughters hosted many social functions, providing alternatives to lesbian bars and clubs. Officially founded in 1956.
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The Supreme Court ruled in favor for the First Amendment righrs in One, Inc. v. Olesen. First Amendment rights were supported for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) magazine "One: The Homosexual Magazine." The magazine was considered to be obscene. This also marked the first time the Supreme Court ruled in accord with the gay community.
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Illinois becomes the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize homosexual acts between consenting adults in private by repealing its sodomy laws.
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Picketers establish the first 'Reminder Day' to remind the nation of the absence of civil rights for LGBT community. These protests continued consistently for the next 5 years.
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The Mattachine Society enact a "sip-in" at Julius Bar in Greenwich Village. The New York Liquor Authority prohibited any alcohol service to homosexual patrons in bars on the idea that gays are "disorderly." After any announcement of being gay, patrons were immediately cut off from service.
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An incident in San Francisco where a transgender woman and a police officer got physical, a riot breaks out into the streets completely destroying the police force and public property. Following the riots, activists established the National Transsexual Counseling Unit, becoming the first 'peer-run support and advocacy organization' in the world.
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The Stonewall riots transform the gay rights movement into a large scale protest for equal rights. Patrons of Stonewall Inn resist during a police raid on June 28,
This started a three day riot known as "Stonewall Riots." -
Christopher St. Liberation Day remembers the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Thousands of LGBT citizens marched through New York into Central Park. This was dubbed America's first gay pride parade.
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The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.
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Harvey Milk wins a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Milk introduced a gay rights ordinance protecting homosexuals from being fired from their jobs.
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Dan White, Harvey Milk's killer, is convicted of voluntary manslaughter. White was only sentenced to seven year bid in prison. The LGBT community was furious, believing it to be a lenient sentence. Over 5,000 protesters rioted San Francisco's City Hall.
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The Democratic Rules Committee stated that it will not discriminate against homosexuals. At their National Convention, the Democrats become the first political party to approve a homosexual rights platform.
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Wisconsin becomes the first U.S. state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
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ACT UP (The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) is established. Responding to the devastating affects AIDS has had on the LGBT community in New York. The group would host demonstrations against pharmaceutical companies who were profitting from AIDS-related drugs. They also brought attention to the lack of AIDS policies serving patients a fair deal instead of the expensive prescription prices.
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Hundreds of thousands of gay rights activists staged the National March on Washington to demand the attention of President Ronald Reagan to address the AIDS crisis. Reagan never acknowledged the AIDS epidemic until the end of his presidency.
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The Department of Defense issues a rulling that prohibited the U.S. Military from refusing applicants from service based on sexual orientation. Don't Ask, Don't Tell states "Applicants... shall not be asked or required to reveal whether they are homosexual, " Homosexuals were still banned from the military if their orientation became public.
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Vermont becomes the first state in the U.S. to legalize civil unions and registered partnerships between same-sex couples.
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After the court finds the prohibition of gay marriage to be unconstitutional because it denies dignity and equality of all individuals, Massachusetts legalizes gay marriage.
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California approves Proposition 8, same-sex marriage is now illegal in California. U.S. Prop 8 sparks the NOH8 campaign, a project that involves celebrities to promote marriage equality.
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The Matthew Shepard Act is passed by Congress and signed into law, signed by Barack Obama.
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The United States Senate votes 65-31, repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Now allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the U.S. Military.
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President Obama states his administration will not defend the Defense of Marriage Act.
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The Supreme Court rules that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. In a 5 to 4 vote, ruling that DOMA violates the rights of gays and lesbians.
