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Society for Human Rights Formed
The first recognized gay rights organization in the US, and despite the fact it was dissolved only a few months later it is regarded as a precursor to modern LGBT rights movements. -
Vice Versa Started Being Published
Vice Versa, the oldest recorded lesbian magazine, started being published by someone under the pen name of Lisa Ben. -
Congressional Investigation Caused by Lavender Scare
The Lavender Scare was a parallel to the Red Scare where they were scared of people potentially being gay, and in 1950 there was an investigation launched by the senate to find and remove gay people from positions in government. -
Executive Order 10450
An executive order passed by president Eisenhower that banned gay men and lesbians from working in the federal government. -
One, Inc. v. Olesen
The first supreme court case to deal with homosexuality, it ruled saying that pro-homosexual writing is not inherently obscene. -
Daughters of Bilitis Formed
The first lesbian civil/political rights organization in the United States -
The Advocate Begins Publication
The Advocate, originally known as The Los Angeles Advocate, is the oldest LGBT magazine still in publication -
Police Raid on Black Cat Tavern
Black Cat Tavern, one of the most well-known gay bars at the time, faced an extreme police raid on New Years, which lead to a later protest against police discrimination. -
Stone Wall Uprising
A series of violent demonstrations against a police raid at the Steonewall Inn, considered the most important leading to gay rights -
Friday of the Purple Hand
A protest against homophobic editorial practices, the employees of the Examiner poured ink onto the crowd of protesters, who then used the ink to write slogans such as "Gay Power" and put hand prints everywhere. This protest ended with police brutality against the protestors and not the people who could've caused serious damage with the ink. -
First Legally Married Same Sex Couple in America
Jack Baker and Michael McConnel became the first same sex couple legally married in the United States after realizing their county did not have any laws against gay marriage. -
Baker v. Nelson
Ruled that the state law prohibiting gay marriage does not violate the constitution, however it also does not invalidate the previously obtained marriage license. -
Kathy Kozachenko Elected to City Council in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Kathy Kozachenko was the first openly queer person to be elected to public office in the United States. -
Gilbert Baker Designs the Rainbow Flag
In 1978 Gilbert Backer designed the rainbow flag, still commonly used today, for the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Celebration -
White Night Riots
In response to the lenient ruling towards Dan White, who assassinated the mayor of San Francisco and Harvey Milk, there was a peaceful protest that ended in violence and property damage once they reached city hall. Police did a retaliatory raid of a gay bar, and neither side ever apologized for their actions. -
Hawaii Became First State to Offer Statewide Same Sex Marraige
As a result of a previous court ruling, Hawaii passed a law to establish ""reciprocal beneficiary relationships", which effectively legalized gay marriage state wide. -
Transgender Day of Remembrance Was Established
Transgender Day of Remembrance was established to memorialize the murder of trans woman Rita Hester, and is now recognized as a day to remember all those who have been lost to transphobia. -
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act Passed
Expands the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Supreme Court ruled that banning marriage of same sex couples was unconstitutional by both the Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause, making it so gay marriage was legalized in all 50 states. -
Orlando Nightclub Shooting
The biggest terrorist attack since 9/11, Omar Mateen killed 49 people and injured 53 others in a gay bar before eventually being shot and killed by police after a 3 hour standoff. It is also the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people.