LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement

Stonewall Riots

Jun 28, 1969

Violent demonstrations by members of the gay community against a police raid. Police reinforcements arrived and beat the crowd away. Inspired other LGBTQ people to speak up and support gay rights.

First Gay Pride March

Jun 28, 1970

Nation wide event. One year anniversary of Stonewall Riots. March through New York into Central Park was considered the first Gay Pride Parade.

American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Dec 15, 1973

Removed homosexuality as a mental illness

Harvey Milk Assassination

Nov 27, 1978

He was the first openly gay man elected into office of a major U.S. city. He urged the LGBTQ community to fight for their rights. He was killed a year later.

Democratic Party Endorses Gay Rights

Jul 8, 1980

At the national convention, democrats became first political part to endorse a Gay Rights platform

GRID is Changed to AIDS

Jul 3, 1981

CDC officially changed Gay Related Immune Deficiency Disorder (GRID) to AIDS

Don't Ask Don't Tell

Dec 1, 1993

Enacted by Bill Clinton. Prevented gays from openly being gay in the military. Expelled approximately 13,000 people from U.S. Armed Forces

Defense of Marriage Act

Sep 21, 1996

Defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a women. No state is required to recognize same sex marriage.

Ellen DeGeneres

Apr 1, 1997

Came out on national TV. Started a new era of gay celebrity power.

First State to Legalize Gay Marriage

Mar 4, 2003

Massachusetts is the first state to legalize gay marriage

Hate Crime Prevention Act

Oct 28, 2009

Expands coverage of federal hate crime law. Now includes acts against a person based on sexual orientation, gender, or sexual preference.

Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell

Dec 18, 2010

Barrack Obama signs the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell