Timeline by Joy Pixton

LGBTQ+ Rights in the USA

2256919_1 — 2025-02-28 16:55:56 UTC

When the US was first founded, in 1776, LGBTQ+ didn't exist. It wasn't until many, many years later that it came to be all over the world, and at that time, it was illegal in the United States. The United States is a Representative democracy.

1924- Society for Human Rights

2256919_1 — 2025-02-28 17:04:58 UTC

-In 1924, the first ever gay rights society in the US was founded.

-The society was founded by Henry Gerber in Chicago.

-This society was called The Society for Human Rights.

-Source: (CNN Editorial Research) "LGBT Rights Milestones Fast Facts" CNN CNN, 31 Oct. 2021 www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/lgbt-rights-milestones-fast-facts/index.html.

1953- Ban on homosexuals in the Federal Government

2256919_1 — 2025-02-28 17:14:55 UTC

-On April 27, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order, banning homosexuals from working in the Federal government.

-President Eisenhower said that the bill was for the safety of the people, declaring that homosexuals are a security risk.

-On June 26, 2015, the supreme court held a meeting to judge same-sex marriages.

-Source: (CNN Editorial Research) "LGBT Rights Milestones Fast Facts" CNN CNN, 31 Oct. 2021 www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/lgbt-rights-milestones-fast-facts/index.html.

2015- Law for Gay Rights

2256919_1 — 2025-02-28 17:19:48 UTC

-The Supreme Court passed a law that stated that all 50 states must recognize and legalize same-sex marriages.

-The law included Guam, Puerto Rico, The District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands.

-The law and meeting were called Obergefell v. Hodges.

-Source: GLAD. “Obergefell v Hodges: Marriage Equality at the Supreme Court | GLAD.” GLAD, 2014, www.glad.org/cases/deboer-v-snyder/.

1961- The First State to Acknowledge LGBTQ+

2256919_1 — 2025-03-03 16:52:22 UTC

-In the July of 1961, Illinois was the first state to decriminalize homosexuality

-Illinois took back all of their sodomy laws, and homosexuals were allowed to live and work among society

-Source: (CNN Editorial Research) "LGBT Rights Milestones Fast Facts" CNN CNN, 31 Oct. 2021 www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/lgbt-rights-milestones-fast-facts/index.html.

1973- Maryland is the First State to Ban Same-Sex Marriages

2256919_1 — 2025-03-03 16:59:06 UTC

-On January 1st, 1973, Maryland created a law that officially banned same-sex marriages

-The law did not have a name

-Source: News, NBC. “Maryland Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ban.” NBC News, 18 Sept. 2007, www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna20839946. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Present Day

2256919_1 — 2025-03-03 17:17:28 UTC

Now, in 2025, 23 states have laws that specifically outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ+. 49% of the LGBTQ+ population live in states with laws against gay rights discrimination. Many organizations have been created to protest for their rights, including ACLU, The Society for Human Rights, and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. However, in 27 of the 50 states, laws have not been passed for LGBTQ+ rights, and over 100 state laws have been passed against the rights of homosexuals since 2020. There is no Federal Law protecting LGBTQ+, and 28% of the LGBTQ+ population live in states that do not prohibit housing discrimination. Over the years, the LGBTQ+ population has gained many rights, but there is still not enough being done to protect them. If we keep striving for equality of underrepresented demographics, maybe someday our world will be the fair place that we all want to believe it is.

-Sources: ACLU. “LGBTQ Rights.” American Civil Liberties Union, 2022, www.aclu.org/issues/lgbtq-rights.

Movement Advancement Project. “Non-Discrimination Laws.” Movement Advancement Project, 2018, www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/non_discrimination_laws.