History of Homosexuality in the United States

By gtdisneymagic

  • 18th Century

    Gay relationships were not common, and cross-dressing was a felony,

  • 19th Century

    Gay men fought in the Civil War, but with many restrictions. Sources have found that same-sex couples who were not legally married would live together.

  • The Society for Human Rights

    The Society for Human Rights becomes the first known gay organization, founded in Chicago, Illionis.

  • Freedom and Friendship

    Henry Gerber created a pro-gay organization, and published "Freedom and Friendship."

  • Sexual Behavior in the Human Male

    The "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" was published by Alfred Kinsey, and was the first real look at the subject of homosexuality.

  • The Mattachine Society

    Harry Hay, the father of the Gay Rights Movement, founded the first national gay rights organization.

  • Eisenhower Bans Gays Work

    Dwight D. Eisenhower, the president at the time, signs an Executive Order denying gays the right to work in the federal government.

  • Daughters of Bilitis

    The Daughters of Bilitis, the first known lesbian-rights organization, was established in San Francisco.

  • Homosexual Activity Decriminalized in Illinois

    Illinois became the first state to decriminalize homosexual relations between people in the privacy of their homes.

  • Stonewall Inn Riots

    Riots took place at the Stonewall Inn after gay customers felt they were being discriminated against. It lasted three days,

  • Homosexuality is NOT a Mental Disorder!

    Up until this point, the American Psychiatric Association considered homosexuality a mental disorder. This changed in 1973.

  • Harvey Milk

    Harvey Milk is the first openly gay man to be inaugurated as the city supervisor in San Francisco.

  • March on Washington, D.C.

    In October of 1979, about 75,000 people gathered and participated in the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

  • Democrats Take A Stand

    At the Democratic National Convention in 1980, the Democrats stated that they supported gay rights.

  • Wisconsin Outlaws Discrimination

    Wisconsin became the first state to outlaw discrimination based solely on the belief that someone was gay.

  • Don't Ask, Don't Tell

    The "Don't Ask,Don't Tell" policy is established in the U.S. Military. This policy allowed gays to serve, but banned homosexual relationships.

  • Vermont legalizes civil unions

    Vermont is the first state to legally accept civil unions between homosexuals, but not marriage.

  • Marriage Legal in Massachusetts

    Same sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts.

  • Civil Unions in Connecticut

    Civil Unions became legal in Connecticut.

  • Civil Unions in New Jersey

    Civil Unions became legal in New Jersey.

  • Equal Rights in the Workplace

    The House of Representatives approves the bill ensuring equal rights for homosexuals in the workplace.

  • Bye Bye "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

    The Senate repeals the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

  • Obama Endorses Gay Marriage

    President Barack Obama formally endorses same sex marriage.

  • Gay Marriage: LEGAL in all 50 states!

    On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court voted that gay marriage was legal and constitutional.