1962: Illinois repeals its sodomy laws, becoming the first U.S. state to decriminalize homosexuality. 1965: San Francisco police arrest gay and lesbian party-goers at a fund-raising ball for the Council on Religion and the Homosexual, held at California Hall. 1967: In the first hour of the new year, a raid occurs at the Black Cat … Read More
2010: President Obama signs the bill that officially repeals the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
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
1973: The Board of the American Psychiatric Association votes to recommend that homosexuality no longer be classified as a mental illness. 1977: The provincial government of Quebec adds gay men and lesbians to the list of groups whose civil rights are legally protected under the province’s Charter of Human Rights.
1973: Gay Activist Mark Allan Segal interrupts a live broadcast of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite by holding up a sign that reads “Gays Protest CBS Prejudice” 1975: George Moscone is elected Mayor of San Francisco. 1986: Austin, TX passes an ordinance prohibiting discrimination against people with AIDS in employment, housing, business, medical … Read More
1984: Berkeley, CA becomes the first city in the U.S. to extend spousal benefits to gay city employees and their live-in lovers. To qualify, applicants must fill out an “Affidavit of Domestic Partnership”
1986: The city council of New Orleans rejects a municipal gay rights ordinance.
1977: By a vote of five to one, Aspen, Colorado’s City Council passes a gay rights ordinance that forbids discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and public services.
1961: Washington, DC chapter of the Mattachine Society is formed. Activist Frank Kameny is elected president. 1987: Randy Shilts‘s seminal work on the early years of the AIDS crisis, “And the Band Played On” debuts at No. 12 on the New York Times best seller list. 1989: Massachusetts becomes the second state in the U.S. … Read More