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Anti-Sodomy
In 1610, the Virginia Colony passed the first known anti-sodomy law in America. -
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LGBT Rights
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The Society for Human Rights
the city of chicago starts the first ever gay rights organization -
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LGBT Rights timeline
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Discrimination against Homosexuals
At the start of the Cold War, the United States begins secretly investigating communists and homosexuals in the federal government and society. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin and others assert that homosexuals are easy to blackmail and so should be considered security risks and not hold government jobs. Guy George Gabrielson, Republican National Chairman, contends that homosexual federal employees are "perhaps as dangerous as the actual Communists". The U.S. State Department asks dozens of -
U.S Department Reports
The U.S. State Department reports that it has fired 126 homosexuals since January 1, 1951. -
Don't ask Don't tell
"The “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy is instituted for the U.S. military, permitting gays to serve in the military but banning homosexual activity. President Clinton's original intention to revoke the prohibition against gays in the military was met with stiff opposition; this compromise, which has led to the discharge of thousands of men and women in the armed forces, was the result." -
First state to allow same sex marriage
Sept. 6: California becomes the first state to approve a same-sex marriage bill voluntarily through the legislature.On September 29, 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes California's same-sex marriage bill. -
Supreme Court Rulling
, the Supreme Court rules that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. In a 5 to 4 vote, the court rules that DOMA violates the rights of gays and lesbians. The court also rules that the law interferes with the states' rights to define marriage. It is the first case ever on the issue of gay marriage for the Supreme Court. -
14th state to allow same-sex marriage
"in an unanimous vote, the New Jersey Supreme Court rejects Gov. Chris Christie's request to delay the implementation date of same-sex weddings. Same-sex couples in New Jersey begin to marry. Just hours later, Christie drops his appeal to legalize same-sex marriages. Therefore, New Jersey becomes the 14th state to recognize same-sex marriages. To see a current list of all the states that have legalized same-sex marriage."
