Key Moments in LGBTQ+ History

Police begin raiding gay bars in major cities, starting decades of police harassment and intimidation of the LGBTQ+ community.

U.S. sex laws consider homosexuality a sex crime, along with others like rape and child molestation.

Bisexual singer Bessie Smith signs with Columbia Records and becomes one of the highest paid black entertainers in America.

New York Assembly bans discussion of homosexuality on the public stage.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 LGBTQ+ people are killed in Nazi concentration camps.

Alfred Kinsey publishes Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, which reports that around 10% of men are primarily homosexual.

Gays and lesbians are banned from serving in the U.S. military.

The American Psychiatric Association includes homosexuality on its list of mental disorders.

Immigrants are banned from entering the U.S. if they have a "psychopathic personality," which includes homosexuality.

James Baldwin publishes Giovanni's Room, and begins a literary career that explores homosexual, bisexual, and interracial relationships.

Christine Jorgensen gains international attention for undergoing sex reassignment surgery.

National Organization for Women (NOW) becomes increasingly hostile to lesbian members.

Stonewall Uprising in New York City mark the unofficial beginning of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights movement. In present day, LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations are often held in summer months to commemorate the start of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

American Psychiatric Association declares homosexuality is not a mental disorder.

Transgender individuals continue to be diagnosed with "gender dysphoria."

Combahee River Collective, a black lesbian feminist organization, brings attention to race and racism within the women's and gay liberation movements.

Activist Harvey Milk is the first openly gay man elected to office in California. In 1978, he is shot and killed in the San Francisco City Hall.

The first National March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights takes place in October 1979.

First reported cases of HIV/AIDS. In 1987, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) starts public demonstrations to push for AIDS research and education.

Gloria Anzaldúa publishes Borderlands/La Frontera, bringing Chicana lesbian issues to the attention of the feminist and women's liberation movements.

Brandon Teena, a transgender man, is raped and killed. Brandon's life is depicted in the film Boys Don't Cry.

Congress passes Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), defining marriage as between a man and a woman, and allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages.

U.S. passes the "don't ask don't tell" law, barring homosexuals from serving in the military if they acknowledge their sexual orientation.

Lawrence v. Texas strikes down Texas' sodomy laws, invalidating anti-sodomy legislation across the U.S.

Starting in 2003 with Massachusetts, states begin allowing same-sex marriage. At the same time, many states pass bans on same-sex marriage.

National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging launches in 2010.

The "don't ask don't tell" law is repealed in December 2010.

In June 2013, United States v. Windsor strikes down section three of DOMA, allowing married gay and lesbian couples to receive federal benefits and protections.

Love wins. On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court officially declares same-sex marriage a constitutional right nationwide.