LGBTQ+ Rights Timeline by Sydney Sherrod

The Human Rights Society 1924

4106495725 — 2023-11-16 16:20:35 UTC

The Human Rights Society was founded by Henry Gerber in 1924, in Chicago Illinois. The Human Rights Society was the first, and oldest documented gay rights organization in America. Magnus Hirschfeild's (a German doctor) work in the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee is what inspired Henry Gerber in the first place. Months later, after social and political strain, the society disbanded.

The introduction of this society gave other organizations like The Daughters of Blitis to continue and strengthen their cause.

(The American Experience and The Legacy Project)

Homosexuality as a sociopathic personality 1952

4106495725 — 2023-11-16 16:21:53 UTC

In 1952, the American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disorder. Though this categorization was ridiculed, (one of the reasons being lack of research) those criticisms were overlooked due to the time period and the beliefs during it.

Since authors like Alfred Kinsey began researching homosexuality, others like the APA followed suit.

Putting labels such as these on homosexuality produced some of the discrimination we see today. An example of such discrimination would be president Eisenhower banning homosexuals from working for the government.

(National Institutes of Health)

President Eisenhower bans homosexuals from working for the federal govt. 1953

4106495725 — 2023-11-16 16:22:19 UTC

In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower signed executive order 10450, banning homosexuals from working for the federal government. This order listed homosexuals as a security risk, along with people on the list such as: neurotics and alcoholics.

Due to all of the "research" about homosexuality, of course assumptions and opinions about homosexuality arose. President Eisenhower made his and others opinions known by signing this executive disorder.

Though Eisenhower attempted to ban people of the LGBTQ+ community from working for the government, icons like Kathy Kozachenko and Harvey Milk became the first openly gay people to work in office; allowing others in this community to begin taking on roles like those.

(The American Experience)

Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization 1955

4106495725 — 2023-11-16 16:22:48 UTC

In 1955, San Francisco, Daughters of Bilitis became the first lesbian rights organization. A year later, the organization began publishing "The Ladder '', the first nationally distributed magazine in the U.S. As the organization grew in popularity, they began to host social functions; a safe alternative to lesbain bars and clubs, which were often raided by police.

(The American Experience)

Christopher st. Liberation Day 1970

4106495725 — 2023-11-16 19:20:56 UTC

Christopher St. Liberation day is the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. (Police raiding Stonewall Inn, then creating a series of riots which was a catalyst for the gay rights movement. A mass number of people in the LGBTQ+ community marched through Central Park , (NY)making this event recognized as the first gay pride parade.

(The American Experience)

Kathy Kozachenko elected into public office 1974

4106495725 — 2023-11-16 19:21:17 UTC

In 1974, Kathy Kozachenko became the first openly gay American to be elected into public office, after winning a seat on the Ann Arbor, Michigan City Council. Though Kozachenko was the first in a position like this, she's often overlooked in history. Especially due to Harvey Milk, a "gay icon" who was the first openly gay male to be elected into public office in California.

(NBC News)

Harvey Milk

4106495725 — 2023-11-16 20:48:48 UTC

November 8th, 1977, Harvey Milk won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; becoming the first openly gay man to do so. Harvey Milk became one of the most famous and influential gay icons, partially outshining Kathy Kozachenko. Harvey Milk began an order that protected gay and lesbian workers from being fired from their jobs; further steering away from Eisenhower's ideas.

(The American Experience)

March 2nd, 1982

4106495725 — 2023-11-16 20:53:00 UTC

March 2nd, 1982, Wisconsin became the first U.S. state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. This paved the way for the end of other forms of discrimination on other bases.

(The American Experience)

April 6th, 2000-2010

4106495725 — 2023-11-21 00:07:22 UTC

Vermont becomes the first state in the U.S. to legalize registered partnerships between same-sex couples. (2000)

A San Francisco judge decided that proposition 8 is no longer valid, deciding that same-sex couples have the right to marry. (2010)

Massachusetts followed along, becoming the first state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage.

(The American Experience and the History Channel)

May 18th, 2004

4106495725 — 2023-11-21 00:08:43 UTC

Massachusetts becomes the first state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage.

June 26th 2016

4106495725 — 2023-11-22 02:58:55 UTC

June 26th, 2016, the U.S. Supreme court declares same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.

(The American Experience)

"Don't Say Gay Bill"

4106495725 — 2023-11-22 04:39:34 UTC

Sadly in 2022, Florida passed the "Don't say gay bill." This bill set people of the LGBTQ+ community back almost 50 years; prohibiting people of the LGBTQ+ community/others around them from speaking openly about being gay.

(NPR)

Summary

4106495725 — 2023-12-20 19:35:18 UTC

Overall, the LGBTQ community still strives and tramples over its hardships. Though the community started out being in organizations that were constantly raided, considered as behavioral disorders such as sociopathy, and discriminated against on legal levels, the community has definitely___

Today, there are still struggles for the LGBTQ+ community world wide, such as discriminatory bills/acts, (such as the "Don't Say Gay Bill") plain discrimination, and hate crimes. In the future, there will always be room for progression.