by Phoenix Bedolla
Throughout history, many groups have been marginalized by society, and many feel their struggle for equal representation has gone on far too long. Zooming in on one of these groups, the LGBTQ+ community, shows an interesting timeline filled with dismay, strength, and love. As the Minarets GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) chapter continues to grow in numbers and spread awareness of their platform, it’s worth taking a deeper dive into the achievements of the American Gay Rights movement at large.
The first recorded step of progress was on Dec. 24, 1924. On this date, the Society for Human Rights was founded, the first gay rights organization in history as well as the oldest documented. Many years after the groundbreaking event, the organization was dealt a massive blow. In April of 1952, The American Psychiatric Association officially classified homosexuality as a sociopathic personality disturbance. In these early years of the movement, every step forward was met with two steps back. Unfortunately, this remained the narrative for many years regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
But following the cultural revolutions of the 60s and 70s, however, the movement would start to turn a corner. In 1970, the first-ever gay pride parade occurred in New York City, taking place on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a famous series of protests for LGBTQ+ rights following a violent encounter between police and patrons at a well known gay bar. Ten years later, in 1980, the Democratic Rules Committee stated that it would not discriminate against homosexuals. Then, in 1982, Wisconsin became the first U.S. state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Yet again though, as the movement gained momentum, it also encountered more obstacles. In 1996, President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law. The law defined marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman, stating that no state was required to recognize a same-sex marriage from out-of-state.
But all hope was not lost for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2000, Vermont became the first state in the U.S. to legalize civil unions and registered partnerships between same-sex couples. Next, in 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to fully legalize gay marriage. In the following six years, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Iowa, and Washington D.C. would follow suit. Moret progressive moments continued to transpire. In 2010, The U.S. Senate voted 65-31 to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. military. In 2015, the biggest triumph materialized within the LGBTQ+ community. With a 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.
The contrast from the early 1900s to current times is, quite frankly, like night and day. Society is trending towards acceptance and equality day by day, and many feel that’s exactly what is needed to become a truly United States.
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