LGBTQ+ history includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Key moments in LGBTQ+ history include the trial of Oscar Wilde, the Stonewall Riots, the assassination of Harvey Milk and marriage equality.

LGBTQ+ History

The LGBTQ+ movement is the struggle for equality and rights for gay, lesbian, transgender people and others. Learn about Stonewall, Harvey Milk, the Pride flag and more.

LGBTQ+ History: Movement and Marriage Rights | HISTORY

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Discover what happened on October 14 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

October 14

<a href="http://history.com/">HISTORY.com</a> works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including <a href="https://www.history.com/author/amanda-onion">Amanda Onion</a>, <a href="https://www.history.com/author/missy-sullivan">Missy Sullivan</a>, <a href="https://www.history.com/author/matt-mullen">Matt Mullen</a> and Christian Zapata.

History.com Editors

1999

1965

As the Cold War heated up in 1955, the U.S.S.R. and seven of its European satellite countries formed the Warsaw Pact defense alliance to counter NATO. In the U.S., the first McDonald’s restaurant opened in Des Plaines, Illinois, while Disneyland debuted in Anaheim, California and the Mickey Mouse Club premiered on TV. Rosa Parks refused to go to the back of the bus in Alabama, and the racially inspired murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till sparked national outrage.

1955

1973

Discover what happened on December 15 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

December 15

1978

The decade-long manhunt for 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden ended in 2011 with his killing by U.S. Navy SEALs in Pakistan. Japan faced disaster with the Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdown. Anti-government demonstrations spread through the Middle East in the Arab Spring, while the Occupy Wall Street movement protested America’s economic inequality. “Game of Thrones” premiered on TV, R-rated novel “Fifty Shades of Grey” published, becoming the decade’s bestselling book, and England’s Prince William wed Kate Middleton, watched by millions.

2011

Discover what happened on November 20 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

November 20

2014

1987

Barack Obama became the first Black American elected president in 2008, a year that also brought the release of “Iron Man,” the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the Great Recession deepened, investment manager Bernard Madoff was arrested for perpetrating the largest Ponzi scheme in history and the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto wrote a white paper introducing Bitcoin cryptocurrency to the world. Meanwhile, a fuzzy blanket with sleeves called the “Snuggie” sold some 4 million units over the holidays while inspiring a slew of parody commercials.   

2008

Discover what happened on July 4 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

July 4

Discover what happened on March 11 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

March 11

Discover what happened on December 11 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

December 11

1977

Discover what happened on June 25 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

June 25

Discover what happened on November 4 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

November 4

Discover what happened on March 24 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

March 24

Discover what happened on September 21 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

September 21

Discover what happened on September 20 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

September 20

Discover what happened on May 29 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

LGBTQ+ History ‑ This Day In History

Gay rights advocate interrupts Walter Cronkite’s news broadcast

The Daughters of Bilitis become the first lesbian rights group in the U.S.

The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses

Anti‑gay crusader Anita Bryant is hit in the face with a pie

The first Transgender Day of Remembrance is held

ACT UP holds its first action on Wall Street

Proposition 8 is passed in California, banning same‑sex marriage

Laverne Cox becomes first transgender person to appear on the cover of TIME magazine

First rainbow Pride flag premieres at San Francisco parade

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed

The first PFLAG meeting

LGBTQ activists hold the first Annual Reminder demonstration in Philadelphia