The history of LGBTQ +events constitutes milestones which in essence influenced the rights and recognition of the LGBTQ + community. Knowing these significant facts is important because it allows one to measure how far the LGBTQ community has come, as well as, the current challenges that are still ahead.
The Stonewall Riots (1969):
The Stonewall Riots took place in June 1969 and are very often regarded as the spark that brought about the modern LGBT rights movement. The 28th of June 1969 is the date when the Stonewall Riots began in the Stonewall Inn New York City. Gay bar raids by policemen had become normal routine deep within the gay establishments, but on this occasion, the customers would not sit by idly. The riots were the beginning of a long struggle that met with success, and many LGBTQ+ organizations arose from its collapse.
The First Pride Parade (1970):
To commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the first Pride marches were held in 1970 in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These events marked the beginning of what would become an annual global celebration of LGBTQ+ pride and visibility.
The AIDS Crisis (1980s):
The AIDS epidemic devastated the LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s, particularly affecting gay men. This crisis led to the formation of numerous advocacy groups like ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and galvanized efforts for better healthcare and government response.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (1993-2011):
This U.S. military policy, enacted in 1993, prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted LGBTQ+ service members but also barred them from openly acknowledging their sexual orientation. It was a compromise that faced significant criticism and was eventually repealed in 2010.
Same-Sex Marriage Legalization (2015):
A landmark victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S., the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. This decision marked a significant step forward in achieving marriage equality and equal rights under the law.
The AIDS Crisis (1980s):
The AIDS epidemic devastated the LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s, particularly affecting gay men. This crisis led to the formation of numerous advocacy groups like ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and galvanized efforts for better healthcare and government response.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (1993-2011):
This U.S. military policy, enacted in 1993, prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted LGBTQ+ service members but also barred them from openly acknowledging their sexual orientation. It was a compromise that faced significant criticism and was eventually repealed in 2010.
Same-Sex Marriage Legalization (2015):
A landmark victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S., the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. This decision marked a significant step forward in achieving marriage equality and equal rights under the law.
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