LGBTQ+ History

World War I ended. Army historian A.D. Harvey writes that "at least 230 soldiers were court-martialled, convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment for homosexual offences" during World War I.

Henry Gerber forms the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organisation in the U.S. is founded. The society disbands a few months later under police pressure.

Dora R. becomes the first known trans-woman to undergo vaginoplasty.

The word 'gay' is used in film for the first time, likely to reference homosexuality.

The Mattachine Society is formed by activist Harry Hay and is one of the first sustained gay rights groups in the U.S. The Society focuses on social acceptance and other support for homosexuals.

Being a “homosexual” was listed as a sociopathic personality disorder by the American Psychiatric Association. Consequently, the word “homosexual” became very offensive for many years in the LGBT community.

An executive ordered by President Dwight D. Eisenhower prohibited gay men and women from working for the government on the grounds that they would be detrimental to U.S. security.

"The Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), considered to be the first lesbian rights organisation, is formed by Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon in San Francisco, California. The group is conceived as a social alternative to lesbian bars, which were considered illegal and thus subject to raids and police harassment".

Illinois descriminalised same-sex acts between consenting adults, the first U.S. state to do so.

The Compton's Cafeteria Riot broke out at a San Francisco eatery when trans women were denied service and arrested for breaking gendered clothing laws.

The world's first transgender organisation, the National Transsexual Counselling Unit, is founded.

Connecticut decriminalised homosexuality.

Police raid the Stonewall Inn in New York City in the early hours of June 28. This leads to four days of struggle between police and LGBTQ people. Transgender people, LGBTQ people of color, and youth are a major part of these “riots” that mark the birth of the modern LGBTQ movement.

Gay Liberation Front (GLF) was established at London School of Economics on 13 October by Aubrey Walter and Bob Mellors.

The first Pride Marches are organized in New York and Chicago on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Colorado and Oregon decriminalised homosexuality

Hawaii decriminalised homosexuality

Delaware and North Dakota decriminalised homosexuality.

Maryland becomes the first state to statutorily ban same-sex marriage.

The American Psychological Association removes homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The first meeting of PFFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), an LGBT ally group, is held.

Massachusetts and Ohio decriminalised homosexuality.

New Hampshire, New Mexico and Washington decriminalised homosexuality.

South Australia decriminalised homosexuality.

California, Indiana, Maine, South Dakota, Ohio and West Virginia decriminalised homosexuality.

Australian Capital Territory decriminalised homosexuality.

Vermont and Wyoming decriminalised homosexuality

Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and New Jersey decriminalized homosexuality.

Harvey Milk is inaugurated as San Francisco city supervisor, and is the first openly gay man to be elected to a political office in California. In November, Milk and Mayor George Moscone are murdered by Dan White, who had recently resigned from his San Francisco board position and wanted Moscone to reappoint him. White later serves just over five years in prison for voluntary manslaughter.
The rainbow flag was designed by Gilbert Baker because he wanted to create a symbol of pride for the LGBT community.

A small group of LGBTQIA+ people formed the Gay Solidarity Group and created a day of events in Sydney to raise awareness and promote political activism.
This march was an act of courage for all participants and would be the birth of the famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which is still popular today.
At 10pm, the activists marched down Oxford Street and towards the city, but were greeted by police officers who blocked their access to Hyde Park. As the activists changed their path to Kings Cross, the police moved in. 53 people were arrested.

Pennsylvania and New York decriminalised homosexuality.

The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 decriminalised homosexual acts between two men over 21 years of age "in private" in Scotland.

The first UK case of AIDS was recorded.

The Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 decriminalised homosexual acts between two men over 21 years of age "in private" in Northern Ireland.

Wisconsin becomes the first state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Wisconsin decriminalised homosexuality

Denmark becomes the first country in the world to legally recognize same-sex unions.

Michigan decriminalised homosexuality

Kentuky decriminalised homosexuality

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Marsha P. Johnson's body was found floating in the Hudson River in 1992. While initially ruled a suicide by the New York City Police Department (NYPD), controversy and protest followed the case, resulting in it eventually being re-opened as a possible homicide. Known as an outspoken advocate for gay rights, she was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of 1969.

District of Columbia and Nevada decriminalised homosexuality

Don't Ask, Don't Tell is put into effect, allowing LGBT people to serve in the military, so long as they don't reveal their sexual orientation.

Homosexuality was decriminalised across Australia with the Human Rights (Sexual Conduct Act) 1994.

Montana and Tennessee decriminalised homosexuality.

President Clinton defined marriage as a “legal union between one man and one woman.” This led to the signing of the Defense of Marriage Act, which banned same-sex marriage.

Ellen DeGeneres came out nationally in Time Magazine.

Georgia and Rhode Island decriminalised homosexuality.

Maryland and Missouri decriminalised homosexuality