History of the LGBTQ+ Movement

The LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and others) movement has a rich and complex history, marked by both struggle and triumph. It is a movement of resilience, resistance, and gradual progress toward equality and recognition. 

Pre-20th Century: Early Existence and Repression

Ancient Civilizations: LGBTQ+ identities have existed throughout history, though their recognition varied across cultures. In ancient Greece, relationships between men were socially accepted in certain contexts, especially in mentorship roles. Similarly, in various Indigenous cultures around the world, including Native American tribes, Two-Spirit people were revered for embodying both masculine and feminine qualities.

Medieval and Renaissance Europe: With the rise of Christianity in Europe, attitudes toward same-sex relationships and non-conforming gender identities became increasingly repressive. Homosexuality was often criminalized and punished severely. However, despite this repression, LGBTQ+ individuals continued to exist and find ways to express their identities.

19th Century: The 19th century saw the emergence of early LGBTQ+ advocacy, particularly in Europe. In 1869, Hungarian writer Karl-Maria Kertbeny coined the term “homosexuality” in a letter to describe same-sex attraction. The term was later used by German sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld, who became a key figure in early LGBTQ+ activism.

Early 20th Century: The Birth of LGBTQ+ Activism

Magnus Hirschfeld and the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee: In 1897, Magnus Hirschfeld, a German physician and sexologist, founded the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee in Berlin. This was one of the first organizations dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Hirschfeld also founded the Institute for Sexual Science in 1919, which provided education and support for LGBTQ+ individuals and conducted groundbreaking research on sexuality and gender.

1920s and 1930s: The Weimar Republic in Germany was a period of relative freedom for LGBTQ+ people, with Berlin becoming a hub for LGBTQ+ culture and nightlife. However, this progress was violently halted with the rise of the Nazi regime, which targeted LGBTQ+ people, particularly gay men, who were arrested and sent to concentration camps.

Early Advocacy in the United States: In the United States, early LGBTQ+ advocacy was often conducted in secret due to widespread legal and social repression. The Society for Human Rights, founded in Chicago in 1924 by Henry Gerber, was one of the earliest known LGBTQ+ organizations in the U.S. However, it was quickly shut down by authorities.

Mid-20th Century: The Struggle for Recognition

Post-War Repression: After World War II, many countries, including the U.S. and the UK, saw a renewed crackdown on LGBTQ+ people. The “Lavender Scare” in the United States paralleled the anti-communist Red Scare, leading to the firing of thousands of federal employees suspected of being gay or lesbian.

The Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis: In the 1950s, the Mattachine Society, founded by Harry Hay in Los Angeles, became one of the first sustained LGBTQ+ rights organizations in the U.S. It was followed by the Daughters of Bilitis, founded in 1955 by Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon as the first lesbian civil and political rights organization. These groups focused on building community, providing support, and challenging discriminatory laws.

The Homophile Movement: In the 1950s and 1960s, the homophile movement emerged, characterized by a focus on respectability and gradual integration into mainstream society. Activists organized peaceful protests, known as “Annual Reminders,” to demand equal rights for LGBTQ+ people.

1960s: The Rise of the Modern LGBTQ+ Movement

Stonewall Riots (1969): The Stonewall Riots, which took place in June 1969 in New York City, are widely regarded as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The riots began in response to a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village. For several nights, LGBTQ+ individuals, led by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, fought back against police harassment and brutality. The riots galvanized the LGBTQ+ community and led to the formation of new activist groups, including the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA).

First Pride Marches: In June 1970, on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the first Pride marches were held in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These marches were a bold and visible statement of LGBTQ+ identity and a demand for equal rights. Pride events have since become a global tradition, celebrated annually in cities around the world.

1970s: The Fight for Legal Recognition

The Rise of LGBTQ+ Activism: The 1970s saw the growth of LGBTQ+ activism, with organizations advocating for civil rights, anti-discrimination laws, and public visibility. The decade also saw the emergence of LGBTQ+ media, such as the publication of “The Advocate,” which provided a platform for LGBTQ+ voices.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Homosexuality: In 1973, after years of activism and advocacy by LGBTQ+ groups, the APA removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This was a significant victory, as it marked the declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness, helping to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Harvey Milk: Harvey Milk, an openly gay politician, was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, becoming one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S. Milk was a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and his assassination in 1978 by a former colleague, Dan White, sparked outrage and further galvanized the LGBTQ+ community.

1980s: The AIDS Crisis and a New Wave of Activism

The AIDS Epidemic: The 1980s were marked by the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic, which disproportionately affected gay men. The epidemic exposed deep-seated homophobia and discrimination, as many governments were slow to respond to the crisis. However, it also led to increased activism, with organizations like ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) emerging to demand action and raise awareness about the disease.

Ryan White and the Fight Against Stigma: Ryan White, a teenager from Indiana who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion, became a national symbol for the fight against AIDS-related stigma. His story highlighted the discrimination faced by people with HIV/AIDS and helped to humanize the epidemic in the eyes of the public.

Legal and Political Struggles: The 1980s also saw significant legal and political battles over LGBTQ+ rights. In 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld anti-sodomy laws in the case of Bowers v. Hardwick, a decision that was later overturned in 2003. Despite setbacks, the decade also saw progress, such as the introduction of anti-discrimination laws in some cities and states.

1990s: Visibility and Legal Progress

The Rise of LGBTQ+ Visibility in Media: The 1990s saw a significant increase in LGBTQ+ visibility in popular culture, with openly LGBTQ+ characters appearing in mainstream television shows like “Ellen” and “Will & Grace.” Ellen DeGeneres’ coming out, both in real life and on her sitcom “Ellen” in 1997, was a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation.

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA): In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as the union between one man and one woman for federal purposes. This law barred same-sex couples from receiving federal marriage benefits. However, DOMA also sparked a national conversation about marriage equality, leading to increased activism for same-sex marriage rights.

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act: In 1998, the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, brought national attention to the issue of anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes. His death, along with the racially motivated murder of James Byrd Jr., led to the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, which expanded federal hate crime laws to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity.

21st Century: Milestones and Continuing Struggles

Marriage Equality: One of the most significant milestones in LGBTQ+ history came in 2015, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right. This landmark decision followed years of activism and legal battles, and it marked a major victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Similar progress was made in other countries, with same-sex marriage being legalized in nations such as Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Transgender Rights Movement: The 21st century has also seen growing awareness and advocacy for transgender rights. The visibility of transgender individuals, such as Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner, in mainstream media has helped to raise awareness about transgender issues. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation is prohibited under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Global LGBTQ+ Rights: While progress has been made in many parts of the world, LGBTQ+ rights remain under threat in numerous countries. In some places, homosexuality is still criminalized, and LGBTQ+ individuals face violence, discrimination,

Understanding and supporting the LGBTQ+ community is an ongoing journey. Whether you’re just starting or have been an ally for years, there’s always more to learn. We hope this guide serves as a helpful starting point and encourages further exploration and advocacy.