54 Years Later: EQUALITY

The Fight For

WHEN NEW YORK POLICE RAIDED THE STONEWALL INN (AGAIN) AND ATTEMPTED TO ARREST ALL ITS PATRONS ON A FATEFUL DAY IN 1969, THE PATRONS OF THAT GAY BAR IN NEW YORK CITY'S WEST VILLAGE FOUGHT BACK. THE RIOT THAT ENSUED GAVE BIRTH TO THE LGBTQ+ STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY WHICH CONTINUES TO THIS DAY 52 YEARS LATER.

HERE ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF KEY MOMENTS IN LGBTQ+ HISTORY.

The Stonewall Riots happened on June 27 and began the LGBT rights movement as we know it today. Only two states, Illinois and Connecticut, had decriminalized homosexuality by 1969. For those people in the rest of the country, being caught in police raids at gay meeting places, such as bars, meant that you would be arrested and your name and address would be printed in the newspaper. From there, these people would usually be fired from their jobs and shunned by their families. Just five years before, Senator Charley Johns spearheaded a witch hunt against gays in Florida's public universities: over 300 people were either fired from their jobs or kicked out of school.

The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. At this time, Gallup reports that only 12% believe that homosexuality is something people are born with. That number would rise to 42% by 2014. The largest attack against gay people in United States history occurred when an arsonist set the Upstairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, on fire. 32 people died. News coverage was scant, and what coverage did appear was not reported in an unbiased manner.

Dade County, Florida becomes the first county in Florida to pass an antidiscrimination ordinance that specifically protects gay people. Anita Bryant, a singer and spokeswoman for Florida Orange Juice, leads the charge to have the ordinance repealed. Also, for a time, she succeeded in banning openly gay teachers from Florida public schools, and she also led a movement to ban adoption by gay couples. Her political activism was a success but a boycott of Florida Orange Juice, led heavily by gays, caused her to lose her promotional contract with the brand. Also in 1977, Harvey Milk makes history by becoming the first openly gay elected official in the country, and he takes his seat on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors. His assassination the next year sends shockwaves throughout the gay community nationwide.

Over 100,000 people attend the first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. By this time, while being openly gay still carried a large stigma in many parts of the country, the gay rights movement has successfully moved from “coming out” and “fitting in” to working to fix discrimination and hostility against gay people by homophobes.

AIDS (then called GRID) is first

1981

AIDS (then called GRID) is first noticed among gay men in New York City and quickly becomes a national health issue. The Gay Men's Health Crisis is founded in New York City. The mainstream media begins to cover AIDS but it isn't until actor Rock Hudson's death four years later that the topic becomes one of premier national importance. President Ronald Reagan famously did not utter the words “HIV” or “AIDS” until the seventh year of his eight years in the White House.

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Bowers v. Hardwick is decided by the Supreme Court, which rules that there is no constitutional right to sodomy. It upholds Georgia's antisodomy law as well as the laws across many other states.

Coverage of gay issues increases in local media but national news outlets still ignore many gay-related stories. The Second March on Washington is held this year, with 200,000 people in attendance, and it is ignored by Time, Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report.

1994 93 90

President George Bush signs the Hate Crimes Statistics Act into law, mandating the federal government to keep track of crimes that relate to the victim's sexual orientation. This year many states pass laws that call for stronger sentences for antigay crimes, such as California and Connecticut. Seven states would pass gay rights legislation by 1992.

The Third March on Washington draws over a million participants, including Tipper Gore, wife of Vice-President Al Gore. The majority of national media outlets follow the march for the first time. Also this year, a movie about the AIDS crisis and its impact on a man and his loved ones, Philadelphia, is released in theaters. The lead actor, Tom Hanks, would win an Oscar for his performance.

Hawaii becomes the first of many states to specifically write into their constitution that marriage should be between a man and a woman, after gay couples tried unsuccessfully to apply for marriage licenses there.

President Bill Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act, which would bar states from having to recognize same-sex marriages in other states and also would bar married gay couples from receiving federal benefits like straight couples receive. The Supreme Court, in Romer v. Evans, overturned Colorado's voter-approved amendment that would have banned gay rights ordinances locally or statewide. San Francisco opens the nation's first domestic partnership registry for gay couples.

Ellen DeGeneres comes out on her ABC sitcom Ellen. A number of television stations drop her show, and her coming out is heavily discussed in the press. Originally, coming out hurt Ellen, and her profile was visibly reduced in popular culture for a few years, but she earned herself a decisive comeback when her talk show premiered in 2003 to rave reviews.

The death of Matthew Shepard outside Laramie, Wyoming causes the country to discuss anti-gay harassment and violence for the first time. A renewed push for hate crime legislation begins.

Vermont becomes the first state to legalize civil unions, which has lots of the same rights as a marriage, but not all rights. The topic of same-sex marriage is discussed as a viable option nationwide for the first time.

The Supreme Court knocks down Texas's anti-sodomy law in the case of Lawrence v. Texas. Thirteen other states' sodomy laws are similarly invalidated, including Florida's. Homosexuality is decriminalized for the first time in Florida, with the age of consent set at 18, equal to that of straight people. Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize gay marriage. The California Supreme Court knocks down the state's ban on gay marriage, and gay couples begin to wed. A voter initiative, Proposition 8, passes later that year, halting marriages in the state. Marriages would be reinstated in California for gay couples in 2013. protections for transgender students in our nations' schools. President Trump issues a ban on transgender service members from serving in any capacity in the U.S. military. The DACA program, which protected an estimated 36,000 LGBTQ DREAMers, from detention and deportation, comes to an end. A policy providing non-discrimination protections for transgender people in the workplace under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is reversed. The Affordable Care Act's birth control benefit now allows for religious exemptions to deny health care to women, trans men, and gender nonconforming people who rely on the nocopay contraception benefit. The Department of Justice announces taxpayer-funded federal agencies, government employees, and government contractors can legally discriminate against LGBTQ employees as long as they cite a religious belief as the reason for doing it.

The Defense of Marriage Act is found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in the case of United States v. Windsor. Gay marriage is now legal in a handful of states and those couples will be allowed to file for federal benefits.

Transgender rights and issues are being discussed by more people now than ever before. Laverne Cox makes history by becoming the first transgender woman to grace the cover of Time.

In the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court finds that the states' bans on gay marriage are unconstitutional, and that marriage equality shall be the law of the land. By the time the court case was decided, thirty-six states had already legalized marriage equality, either through legislation or court cases. Couples in fourteen states began to wed on June 26.

Minutes after President Donald Trump was sworn into office, all mention of the LGBTQ community is erased from the White House, Department of State, and Department of Labor websites. He goes on to rescind Title IX

The Department of Health and Human Services creates a new department that shields healthcare workers who refuse to treat LGBTQ patients or those living with HIV by calming moral or religious objections. Protections for incarcerated transgender people are rolled back. The state department announces that samesex, unmarried partners of United Nations partners employees will not be granted Visas to stay in the U.S., forcing them to either marry in the U.S. and risk repercussions or separate from their partner. Brett Kavanaugh is nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court. Kavanaugh has an extremely conservative record. In a brie to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Department of Justice writes that it is legal to discriminate against transgender employees and that banning sex discrimination under Title VII does not extend to transgender workers.

In its Fiscal Year Budget for 2020, the Trump Administration announces new plans to cut $250 million from the Global Fund, slash $1.5 billion from PEPFAR, and “limit future spending” on Medicaid –three components in the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS. President Trump announces a new policy is announced stating that transgender Americans would no longer be guarantees protections under the Affordable Care Act, potentially harming 1.5 million trans Americans. A report finds that the Trump Administration made attempts to prevent the Pride flag from flying on a flagpole at the Stonewall National Museum because the monument is federal land. Instead, the administration donates a flagpole to the state of New York. For the third year in a row, President Trump omits any mention of the LGBTQ community in his presidential proclamation recognizing Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day. Trump's ban on transgender people serving in the military goes into effect.

U.S. Navy grants waiver to transgender naval officer, allowing her to remain in uniform. It's the first waiver granted since the administration began enforcing its surprise ban against transgender service members. The government is expected to file its response to the suit filed by the naval officer in federal court. Housing and Urban Development announces new rule allowing single-sex homeless shelters to turn away transgender people, despite acknowledging there is no evidence supporting transgender residents pose a risk to cisgender residents. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos vows to withhold federal funds from Connecticut school districts that participate in athletic confere nce allowing transgender athletes to compete consistent with their gender identity. President Trump nominates Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. Barrett has stated views against marriage equality and was vetted by the Federalist Society, which has argued against every LGBTQ policy proposal. She is ultimately appointed.

The Supreme Court issues a landmark decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, which established that LGBTQ people are protected from employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

President Joe Biden issues an executive order extending existing federal non-discrimination protections from LGBTQ people. President Trump's ban on diversity training on race and sex that had implications on trainings for sexual orientation and gender identity is revoked. The ban on transgender people joining and serving in the military is revoked almost immediately after President Biden takes offi ce.

The Mexico City Policy, a decades-old policy barring international nonprofits from receiving U.S. funding if they provide abortion counseling or referrals, is overturned.

Pete Buttigieg is confirmed as the next transportation secretary, becoming the first openly LGBTQ cabinet member confirmed by the full Senate. Implementation of a Trump-era rule under the Department of Health and Human Services that would have permitted discrimination against LGBTQ people, religious minorities and women in programs related to foster care, adoption, HIV and STI prevention, youth homelessness, refugee resettlement, elder care programs and more is halted. The Fair Housing Act is enforced to protect LGBTQ people. President Biden voices his support of the Equality Act, which would create protections for LGBTQ people in education, health care and more. The Department of Veterans Affairs agrees to review policies to ensure they are inclusive of all gender identities and gender expressions. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act is enacted to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Dr. Rachel Levine is confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services, becoming the first-ever openly transgender official confirmed by the Senate. The Department of Housing & Urban Development reinstates the Affirmative Furthering Fair Housing rule and the disparate impact role, both gutted under the Trump administration. Two LGBTQ people are appointed to the Department of Defense. President Biden announces he will enforce federal policy protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in health care based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The U.S. expands birthright citizenship of babies born abroad to same-sex couples.

The LGBTQ+ community in the last year is full of incredible highs and incredible lows. The notable moments on our 'Road To Stonewall' celebration in 2022 are...

Trans Community Violence Is The Highest In History

The HRC reported that 2021 had record number of transgender violence and murders, more than any single year in history. Worse, it was mostly aimed at transgender women of color. 2022 has continued to keep this record pace.

More Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Introduced In 2022 In History

LGBTQ+ civil rights organizations report that more than 250 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in states across America. It has become the single largest attack on LGBTQ+ community since before the Stonewall Riots of 1969.

Florida Says ‘Don't Say Gay'

Florida's Governor Ron Desantis and conservative GOP representatives pass the first of it's kind legislation to prevent any discussion of gender identify or sexual orientation in schools. The 2022 legislative session brings about state, national and international condemnation of Florida's anti-LGBTQ+ actions. Florida, Disney, and our schools literally are ground zero for 2022's 'Culture War' on gay leading into the mid-term elections.

Equality Florida's Nadine Smith Becomes Time Magazine's 100 Days before Stonewall Pride celebration, long time LGBTQ+ civil rights activist Nadine Smith is recognized by Time Magazine 100 as 'One Of The Most Influential People In The World'. The recognition is a first of its kind for LGBTQ+ civil rights in Florida. <SCOTT, WE HAVE A

More Americans Identify As LGBTQ+ Than Ever In History

The 2022 Gallup poll had groundbreaking reporting that the number of LGBTQ+ in America was actually far higher than previously known. With only 2% of Baby Boomers identifying as LGBTQ and stunning 20% of Gen-z said they were gay. Gallup reports that more than 10% of the US population is LGBTQ+, more than 3% greater than ever reported before.

Roe Overturned And LGBTQ+

During June 2022 pride month The Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade. This 50 year settled law turned out to be not so settled. Justice Clarence Thomas sends shock waves through the LGBTQ+ community suggesting that gay marriage should be relitigated also.

Rainbow Wave Politicians Continue To Grow

November 2022 elections had more than 400 out candidates win (100 more than 2021). Meanwhile two states make history by electing Queer Women as Governor including Massachusetts Maura Healey and Oregon Tina Kotek.

Club Q Shooting

On November 19, 2022 Another mass shooting in a gay club reminds entire LGBTQ+ community of Orlando's Pulse shooting as 5 are murdered and 25 more injured in the Colorado Springs shooting.

Federal Respect For Marriage Passes

On December 13, 2022 America finally gets legislation for gay marriage. It's something. Congress passes a law that says states that don't want marriage can't take marriage away from those married in states that do. It's not the Equality Act, but it may be the next best thing.

International LGBTQ+ News

The year brings big international LGBTQ+ news with Russia releasing lesbian basketball star Britney Griner, Uganda passing the most dangerous 'Death Penalty' law in the world, Hungary facing huge fines and perhaps expulsion from the EU over anti-LGBTQ+ and the Pope making positive overtures to the queer community.

World Pride Goes “Down Under, Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert”

In February, for the first time, World Pride is celebrated in the Southern Hemisphere and Sydney, Australia. Up next, Washington, D.C. in 2025.

Expanded “Don't Say Gay”

And we really we mean don't say gay, trans, bi, lesbian or queer. Florida expanded the law from 3rd to 12th grade and the Governor defined black history as “queer theory” and thus banned it and about 1000 books. To add insult to injury Florida exported the hateful legislation to more than 15 states considering Florida-type laws.

Record Hate Against LGBTQ+

It is no exaggeration that we are facing record hate from radical GOP conservatives and evangelicals. 2023 has seen more than 450 state bills (so far) against LGBTQ+ community. More than double last year.

Drag And Drag Queens Create Confusion And Chaos

On May 17, 2023 Gov. Ron DeSantis signs SB 1438. Drag bans (or whatever vagueness states promote) in Tennessee, other states, but especially Florida cause chaos for theaters, restaurants, bars, charity events and especially Pride Parades. Three Florida cities cancel their Pride events as city governments justify changes “In an over abundance of caution.” Florida's SB 1438 will eventually affect virtually every LGBTQ+ person living or visiting in Florida. Not to mention all drag queens.

Mr. President Of Hate

On May 23, 2023 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took on a surreal campaign to announce as a candidate for President of the United States using his anti-LGBTQ+ policies and used June Pride Month to draw attention to his campaign announcement. DeSantis, in terms of power and influence moves into icon status as arguably the most anti-LGBTQ+ politician in American history. This story is evolving daily.

We Are Getting Queer-er

Studies show LGBTQ+ in America is growing in numbers. This is likely because of acceptance and comfort of those coming out as surveys report a full 1 in 5 (20%) of Gen-z identify as LGBTQ+.