A timeline of LGBTQ rights in the United States, from before Stonewall to today

Walt Hickey,Dan AveryJun 1, 2020, 22:37 IST

Protesters hold an LGBT rights flag outside the US Supreme Court in support of marriage equality on April 25, 2015.PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images

The LGBTQ community has led one of the most successful civil rights movements in US history.
In the 1960s and '70s, the gay community discovered its political power, with the passing of anti-discrimination laws and the election of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man sworn into elected office.
AIDS devastated the community in the 1980s and '90s, but it galvanized the community into further action.
After a long struggle, the Supreme Court recognized federal marriage equality in 2015.
Here is a timeline of LGBT rights in America, from the 1960s to today.

The Stonewall riots of 1969 are often heralded as the birth of the modern-day LGBTQ civil rights movement. But important work was being done for the community decades before then.

In 1924, Chicago activist Henry Gerber founded the Society for Human Rights, the first known gay rights group in America. The society was short-lived, according to PBS: Several members were arrested shortly after it incorporated and the group soon disbanded.

But it planted a seed that grew, and LGBTQ people continued the long path to true equality and inclusion.

What began as a struggle to exist evolved into the fight to fully participate in public life, to serve one's country, to marry, and to be free from discrimination in all walks of life.

"It takes no compromise to give people their rights," Harvey Milk said in 1976, "It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression."

Below, we've assembled a timeline of the LGBT rights movement in the United States, from before Stonewall to today.

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In 1965, the Annual Reminder in Philadelphia becomes one of the first organized demonstrations for gay rights in the world.

The second Annual Reminder outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 1966. AP Photo/John F. Urwiller

A 1966 "sip in" at a New York City bar overturns state liquor laws banning service to gay customers.

Mattachine Society chapter president Dick Leitsch at the organization's New York City offices. Louis Liotta/New York Post Archives via Getty Images

The Stonewall Uprising in 1969 becomes a watershed moment in LGBT rights.

Demonstrators being held back by police at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

In 1970, the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day march becomes the first Pride march in history.

The 1971 Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day rally. Yigal Mann/Pix/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Through the 1970s, the gay rights movement begins to flex its political muscle.

People in New York's Union Square in 1974 marching in support of a city council measure barring discrimination based on sexual orientation. AP

At the same time, Anita Bryant emerges as a figurehead for the conservative anti-gay movement.

Anita Bryant gets hit in the face with a pie while promoting a religious concert in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 14, 1977. Bettmann

In 1977, Harvey Milk becomes the first openly gay man elected to public office in the US.

Harvey Milk (left) with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone in 1976. AP

In 1980, The Democratic Party is the first major American political party to endorse a gay rights platform.

Sen. Ted Kennedy and Rep. Bella Abzug attend the Gay Vote 1980 reception for Democratic delegates in New York. AP

In 1979, the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights brings an estimated 200,000 people to the nation's capital.

Attendees at the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on October 14, 1979. Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty Images.

In the 1980s, ACT UP galvanizes the gay community against both HIV and bigotry.

An ACT UP "die-in" at FDA headquarters on October 11, 1988, in Rockville, Maryland. Catherine McGann/Getty Images

The second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987 addresses the AIDS crisis, discrimination, and the rights of same-sex couples.

Participants in the second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987. AP

The 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation draws between 800,000 and one million participants.

RuPaul performs at the March on Washington on April 25, 1993. Porter Gifford/Liaison

In 2000, Vermont becomes the first state to recognize civil unions between same-sex partners.

Joe Skirchak (left) and Pat Cerra fill out civil union paperwork in front of a town clerk in Hartland, Vermont, on July 1, 2000. Geoff Hansen

In 2003, the US Supreme Court rules that sodomy laws are unconstitutional.

Tyron Garner (left) and John Geddes Lawrence outside the Supreme Court after their victory, on June 26, 2003. AP

In November 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules that preventing gays and lesbians from marrying violates the state constitution.

Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney after the verdict in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health in 2003. AP

In 2008, California voters pass Proposition 8, a public referendum ending same-sex marriage in the state.

A campaign sign for California's Proposition 8. AP

In 2009, Congress passes the Matthew Shepard Act, expanding hate crime laws to include acts motivated by a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

A screenshot of Matthew Shepard. Gina Van Pool

In 2009, Congress passes the Matthew Shepard Act, expanding hate crime laws to include acts motivated by a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Between 2009 and 2011, Vermont, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, the District of Columbia, and New York legalize same-sex marriage.

Phyllis Siegel (arms raised) and Connie Kopelov (sitting) celebrate their wedding during the first day of legal same-sex marriage in New York State on July 24, 2011. Bennett Raglin/WireImage

In 2010, President Obama officially repeals "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," allowing gays, bisexuals, and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

Two members of the US military embrace at the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Porter Gifford

In May 2012, President Barack Obama endorses same-sex marriage.

ABC's Robin Roberts interviews President Barack Obama in 2012.

In 2013, the Supreme Court strikes down California's Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Edie Windsor, (arms raised) leaves the Supreme Court after oral arguments are heard in her legal challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, on March 27, 2013. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jessica Dunnam, left, and Charlene Emm, right, arrive with other couples for a group wedding ceremony at a hotel in honor of Florida's ruling in favor of same-sex marriage equality, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In January, Florida became the 36th state where gay marriage is legal.

Jessica Dunnam (left), and Charlene Emm arrive at their wedding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on February 5, 2015. Lynne Sladky/AP Photo

Jessica Dunnam, left, and Charlene Emm, right, arrive with other couples for a group wedding ceremony at a hotel in honor of Florida's ruling in favor of same-sex marriage equality, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In January, Florida became the 36th state where gay marriage is legal.

In 2018, the Supreme Court rules that a Colorado bakery can refuse to sell a wedding cake to a gay couple.

Baker Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, manages his shop in Lakewood, Colorado, on August 15, 2018. Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images

In 2017, President Trump bans transgender service members from the US military.

Army Staff Sgt. Patricia King (second from right) with other transgender military members testifying about their military service before a House Armed Services Subcommittee on February 27, 2019. Associated Press

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A timeline of LGBTQ rights in the United States, from before Stonewall to today

In 1965, the Annual Reminder in Philadelphia becomes one of the first organized demonstrations for gay rights in the world.

A 1966 "sip in" at a New York City bar overturns state liquor laws banning service to gay customers.

The Stonewall Uprising in 1969 becomes a watershed moment in LGBT rights.

In 1970, the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day march becomes the first Pride march in history.

Through the 1970s, the gay rights movement begins to flex its political muscle.

At the same time, Anita Bryant emerges as a figurehead for the conservative anti-gay movement.

In 1977, Harvey Milk becomes the first openly gay man elected to public office in the US.

In 1980, The Democratic Party is the first major American political party to endorse a gay rights platform.

In 1979, the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights brings an estimated 200,000 people to the nation's capital.

In the 1980s, ACT UP galvanizes the gay community against both HIV and bigotry.

The second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987 addresses the AIDS crisis, discrimination, and the rights of same-sex couples.

The 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation draws between 800,000 and one million participants.

In 2000, Vermont becomes the first state to recognize civil unions between same-sex partners.

In 2003, the US Supreme Court rules that sodomy laws are unconstitutional.

In November 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules that preventing gays and lesbians from marrying violates the state constitution.

In 2008, California voters pass Proposition 8, a public referendum ending same-sex marriage in the state.

In 2009, Congress passes the Matthew Shepard Act, expanding hate crime laws to include acts motivated by a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Between 2009 and 2011, Vermont, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, the District of Columbia, and New York legalize same-sex marriage.

In 2010, President Obama officially repeals "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," allowing gays, bisexuals, and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

In May 2012, President Barack Obama endorses same-sex marriage.

In 2013, the Supreme Court strikes down California's Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

In 2018, the Supreme Court rules that a Colorado bakery can refuse to sell a wedding cake to a gay couple.

In 2017, President Trump bans transgender service members from the US military.