1981: Toronto police stage a massive raid on four local gay bathhouses, arresting 305 men (the largest mass arrest in Canadian history). The raids prompt a riot the following night, causing more than one participant to consider this the Canadian Stonewall. 1982: The film Personal Best opens in New York City. It depicts two women … Read More
1976: The Vatican calls homosexuality “a serious depravity” that “can in no case be approved of” in its newly released “Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics” 1982: On the syndicated “Helen Gurley Brown Show”, the host (and Cosmopolitan editor) asks National Gay Task Force director Lucia Valeska, “Is it true that gay people are … Read More
1971: Novelist Merle Miller comes out in a New York Times Magazine essay entitled “What it Means to Be a Homosexual”. He later says, “I don’t see any great rush of people lining up to declare themselves as homosexual. Who is to say they should do so? I think, however, it is rather important. For … Read More
1976: The Vatican calls homosexuality “a serious depravity” that “can in no case be approved of” in its newly released “Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics” 1982: On the syndicated “Helen Gurley Brown Show”, the host (and Cosmopolitan editor) asks National Gay Task Force director Lucia Valeska, “Is it true that gay people are … Read More
1975: The Chicago Board of Ed. approves a plan that allows, for the first time, the City’s teachers to answer students’ questions about homosexuality. 1977: The Episcopal Church of New York ordains an openly lesbian woman, Ellen Marie Barrett, as a minister. 1980: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence forms in San Francisco. 1982: Paul Lynde, … Read More
1982: Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Inc. is formed in New York by Edmund White, Larry Kramer, Nathan Fain, Lawrence D. Mass, Paul Popham, and Paul Rapoport. 1986: Gay author Christopher Isherwood dies at the age of 81 in Santa Monica. He is survived by his partner of 32 years, artist Don Bachardy.
1980: The New York State Court of Appeals abolishes the state’s sodomy laws. 1982: The Quebec government overwhelmingly approves a measure that gives domestic partners of gays and lesbians legal protection and access to economic benefits previously restricted to straights. 1984: The Times of Harvey Milk wins the New York Critics’ Award for Best Documentary of … Read More
1969: Falsetto singer Tiny Tim, perceived by many to be gay because of his voice and mannerisms, marries his girlfriend, Miss Vicki on national television. 1970: Nine leaders of the women’s liberation movement – including Gloria Steinem and Susan Brownmiller – hold a press conference in NYC to express their “solidarity with the struggle of homosexuals … Read More
1980: Two men are killed and six wounded when former transit cop Ronald Crumpley opens fire with submachine gun at NYC gay bar, the Ramrod. He is later found not guilty by reason of insanity. 1982: A California judge tosses Marilyn Barnett’s so-called “palimony” suit against tennis star Billie Jean King out of court.