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First gay organization
The Society for Human Rights is founded by Henry Gerber in Chicago. It is the first documented gay rights organization -
First legal organization for gay rights
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. -
start of gay rights
The first federal gay rights bill is introduced to address discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill later goes to the Judiciary Committee but is never brought for consideration. -
First legal gay marriage
The first legal same-sex marriage in the United States occurs in Massachusetts. -
First gay accepting president
The first legal same-sex marriage in the United States occurs in Massachusetts. -
First gay monument
President Barack Obama announces the designation of the first national monument to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. The Stonewall National Monument will encompass Christopher Park, the Stonewall Inn and the surrounding streets and sidewalks that were the sites of the 1969 Stonewall uprising. -
More open gay athletes
A record number of "out" athletes compete in the summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Human Rights Campaign estimates that there are at least 41 openly lesbian, gay and bisexual Olympians -- up from 23 that participated in London 2012 -- though Outsports.com puts that number much higher at 49.