1981: The legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario defeats an amendment which would have added “sexual orientation” to the human rights code.

1988: The first World AIDS Day, organized by the World Health Organization, is held.

1989: Alvin Ailey dies from AIDS-related complications.

1998: Officials in Miami, Florida, vote 7–6 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment and housing.

2003: In the United Kingdom, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 are introduced, making discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual employees unlawful. However, the regulations do not apply to pension rights or to employees of religious organizations.

2005: The Constitutional Court of South Africa hands down its judgment in the case of Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie, declaring that it is unconstitutional for the government to allow marriage for opposite-sex couples but not for same-sex couples. The judgment is suspended for one year to allow Parliament to rectify the discrimination.