LGBT History

Hillary Celebrates Obergefell Anniversary With Warning That Donald Trump Imperils LGBT Progress [VIDEO]

“One year ago today, we celebrated a watershed moment for equality in America. Thanks to the bravery of LGBT Americans like Jim Obergefell and Edie Windsor, and the determination and tireless organizing of the LGBT community and their allies, marriage equality became the law of the land in all 50 states. “Over the last year, more barriers to equality have …

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The Foot Wore A Spiked Heel

It was 47 years ago this week that the queer community of New York City finally said “Enough!” As I’ve done for the last few years on this day, I’m reposting the story that the New York Daily News ran one week after the Stonewall Riots. Note how the story drips with condescension and ridicule. We’ve come a long, long …

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Obama Celebrates Stonewall Monument [VIDEO]

Today President Obama celebrated the designation of the Stonewall National Monument in his weekly video address to the nation, comparing the Stonewall Inn to other historic sites like Independence Hall and Kitty Hawk. Watch below. The president went on to recap LGBT progress during his administration. An excerpt: Over the past seven years, we’ve seen achievements that would have been …

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Democrats Celebrate LGBT Progress [VIDEO]

“LGBT Americans have seen tremendous progress under President Obama, and we can’t afford to go backwards. There is more work to be done to achieve full equality. We need to enact the Equality Act to prevent discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. We need to prevent and reverse anti-gay and anti-trans legislative efforts like HB2 and so-called religious freedom …

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AMERICAN HISTORY: President Obama Announces Stonewall National Monument [VIDEO]

Via press release from the White House: Since taking office, President Obama and his Administration have made historic strides in expanding opportunities and advancing equality and justice for all Americans, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans. From major legislative achievements to historic court victories to important policy changes, the President has fought to promote the equal rights of …

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AMERICAN HISTORY: Lawmakers Renew Push To Designate June 26th As LGBT Equality Day

Via press release: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced a resolution to designate June 26, as “LGBT Equality Day,” honoring the anniversary of three significant victories won at the U.S. Supreme Court for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. “America should celebrate the progress we have made to pass on to the next generation …

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TORONTO: Cops To Apologize For 1981 Bathhouse Raids

From the Toronto Star: When police stormed four gay bathhouses in Toronto on Feb. 5, 1981, patrons were mocked, humiliated — and arrested by the hundreds. The raids outed men who considered the private clubs a sanctuary, free from the hostility of a populace who disapproved of, or didn’t understand, intimacy between men. On Wednesday, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders …

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TRAILER: The Freedom To Marry

Just in from Evan Wolfson, former president of the gone-out-of-business Freedom To Marry: On June 26, it will be one year since the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the freedom to marry nationwide. Love won – and the path to our triumphant victory stretched back years and miles. It was paved by the efforts, talents, and engagement of millions of people. …

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Rachel Maddow On History Of Attacks At Gay Bars: A Community That Been Forged In Literal Fire [VIDEO]

Last night Rachel Maddow put the Pulse massacre in historical context, recounting some of the more infamous attacks on gay bars since Stonewall. Mentioned are the Upstairs Lounge fire in New Orleans, the Atlanta bombing of a lesbian bar, and others that may not be as well known to you. This is an important and sobering LGBT history lesson. Watch …

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Obama Warns White House Pride Month Crowd: History Can Move Backwards On LGBT Rights [VIDEO]

USA Today reports: President Obama told gay rights activists Thursday that they need to be vigilant to continue the progress they’ve made over the last eight years of his presidency. “Together we’ve proven that change is possible, that progress is possible,” he told a reception for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender activists at a White House reception — the eighth …

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British Government To March In 10 US Pride Events

Via press release: As part of the Love is GREAT campaign, the UK government will participate in local Pride events in 10 cities across the US to highlight the UK as a champion of LGBT equality and a global leader in human rights across policy, business, arts and culture, and tourism. The UK is proud to be recognized as one …

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White House Issues Track Record On LGBT Rights: DOMA, DADT, Hate Crimes Law, HIV/AIDS, And More

The White House today issued a lengthy recounting of the many, many advances in LGBT rights seen during the Obama administration. The “fact sheet” – which I’ve posted in its entirety below – serves both as a very well-earned bragging point and as a stark reminder of how tenuous many of these advances remain with the specter of a Republican …

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Feds Grant Green Card To Widower Who Was Told By Feds In 1975 That “Two Faggots” Cannot Be Married

Wow. The Pride LA reports: The United States federal government has recognized as legally valid the April 1975 same-sex marriage of Richard Adams and Anthony Sullivan, approving the “green card” petition that Adams filed in 1975 for his husband, an Australian citizen. After Adams died in December 2012, Sullivan sought to have the Immigration Service recognize their marriage and grant …

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The Pentagon Celebrates LGBT Pride Month

In a press release that name-checks pioneering gay activists Frank Kameny and Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, the Department of Defense celebrates LGBT Pride Month. They write: Diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride month, we celebrate our rich diversity and renew our enduring commitment to equity. The dedication and contributions of our …

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President Obama Marks 35th Anniversary Of HIV/AIDS: Today We Call The Names Of Those We’ve Lost

Via White House press release: On June 5, 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report on what would later be understood as the first documented cases of AIDS. The past 35 years tell a story that bends from uncertainty, fear, and loss toward resilience, innovation, and hope. We’ve learned that stigma and silence don’t just fuel …

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US Navy Celebrates LGBT Pride Month

Via press release from the US Navy: The Navy joins the nation in recognizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride month during the month of June. Established by Presidential Proclamation in 2000, LGBT Pride Month is held annually and recognizes the importance of diversity within our society as well as the many achievements of LGBT individuals. This year’s theme is …

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CANADA: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Raises Pride Flag On Parliament Hill For First Time [VIDEO]

With a big shout-out to trans rights! The Star reports: The Pride flag flew on Parliament Hill on Wednesday in a historic all-party show of support to mark the start of the month celebrating Canada’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had the honour of raising the distinctive rainbow banner on the Hill for the …

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Woman In NYC’s First Gay Marriage Dies At Age 90

The New York Times reports: Connie Kopelov [seated], whose wedding to Phyllis Siegel in 2011 was the first legal same-sex marriage in New York City, died in Manhattan on Saturday. She was 90. Her death was confirmed by Ms. Siegel, who said Ms. Kopelov had been in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Ms. Kopelov and Ms. Siegel had been …

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Obama Issues Pride Month Proclamation: Let’s Celebrate Our Progress And Eliminate Prejudice

Just in from the White House: Since our founding, America has advanced on an unending path toward becoming a more perfect Union. This journey, led by forward-thinking individuals who have set their sights on reaching for a brighter tomorrow, has never been easy or smooth. The fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is …

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20 Years Ago Today: Romer V Evans

Lambda Legal’s Jon Davidson put it in context for what’s happening today: To quote late New York Yankee baseball great Yogi Berra, “it’s déjà vu all over again.” Today marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Romer v. Evans, Lambda Legal’s successful challenge, in partnership with the ACLU and some of Colorado’s top lawyers, to …

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