Alan Turing Trial

Alan Turing was an English mathematician, computer scientist, and logician. Turing was part of the team that broke the German ciphers and helped create a machine that would find the settings for the Enigma machine (sent the encoded messages). He played a pivotal role in World War II because of his ability to intercept the coded messages. Alan Turing was accused of having a sexual relationship with Arnold Murray, a 19 year old man. Turing was convicted for gross indecency, and had to choose between imprisonment or probation that included hormonal treatments.

Executive Order 10450

This Executive Order written by President Eisenhower made it illegal for a homosexual to hold a government job.

Mattachine Sip-in

The Mattachine Society (one of the first gay rights organizations formed by Harry Hay) staged "sip-ins" including inside a New York Bar. They decided to do this because bars at that time would not serve homosexuals.

Sip-in: Homosexuals enter a bar and declare their sexuality before ordering a drink. They then wait to see if they will receive their drink. If the person is turned away, they would sue the bar.

Harry Hay was a prominent gay rights activist, communist, labor advocate, and Native American civil rights campaigner.

CBS Documentary On Homosexuality

This clip is from CBS Report, a documentary television series that covered a variety of topics related to homosexuality. The episode was not the first program of its kind to air on television at the time. The anchor of this episode was Mike Wallace.

Stonewall Riots

The police raided the Stonewall Inn, a New York City gay bar. Violent protests and riots resulted from the raid. This incident is considered the start of the gay rights movement in the U.S.

Homosexuality Removed from DSM

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, produced by the American Psychiatric Association, removed its listing of homosexuality from the sociopathic personality disturbance section.

The following is an excerpt where homosexuality was listed prior to 1973.

"000-x63   Sexual deviation

        This diagnosis is reserved for deviant sexuality which is not symptomatic of more extensive syndromes, such as schizophrenic and obsessional reactions. The term includes most of the cases formerly classed as "psychopathic personality with pathologic sexuality." The diagnosis will specify the type of the pathological behavior , such as homosexuality, transvestism, pedophilia, fetishism sexual sadism (including rape, sexual assault, mutilation)."

The Rainbow Flag Is Born

This would become the symbol for the movement and for all the people who identify as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer). Gilbert Baker was tasked with creating this symbol that was revealed in the San Francisco Pride Parade in 1978. Gilbert Baker was a artist and gay rights activist who used his skills to create banners for gay rights and anti-war protest marches.

The March On Washington D.C.

This was the first national march. Between 75,000 and 125,000 people came to Washington D.C. to march for LGBTQ rights.

The First Ban on Discrimination Against Homosexuals

Wisconsin banned discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Ellen DeGeneres Comes Out

DeGeneres was starring in the television sitcom, Ellen, when she came out as a lesbian on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her character, Ellen Morgan, also came out to her therapist (played by Oprah). Her show was canceled after coming out in May 1998. In 2001 Ellen came back to television with her sitcom, The Ellen Show. Her daytime talk show would be launched in 2003.

TIME Magazine cover, April 14, 1997 cover by Firooz Zahedi, photo from time.com, 2017

Vermont Is the First State to Legalize Partnerships

This made civil unions between homosexuals legal, giving same-sex couples the same legal rights and benefits within the state of Vermont. The civil unions were not recognized out of state and same-sex couples were not entitled to federal benefits.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Ends

The Clinton administration introduced this law as a compromise to banning homosexuals in the military. Due to the organization of the law, it prevented openly gay Americans from being able to serve in the armed forces. President Obama helped revoke this discriminatory practice.

Popular Referendum Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage in Ireland

Nationwide, a same-sex marriage referendum was passed. Ireland became the first country in the world to adopt this legal action through popular vote.

U.S. Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

The U.S. Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage as a Constitutional right nationwide. All states must sanction and/or perform same-sex marriages. Same-sex married couples are eligible for all federal benefits.