Gays in New York City riot to protest police raids of the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village. Event is considered the birth of the gay rights movement in America.
The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.
America’s first openly-gay elected official, San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Harvey Milk, is assassinated.
The Pentagon implements “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, a policy that allows gay military service as long as a member’s homosexuality remains secret.
President Bill Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriage and stipulates that no state must honor a same-sex marriage performed in another state.
The U.S. Supreme Court rules anti-sodomy laws are unconstitutional.
Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.
California voters approve Proposition 8, which strips gay couples of marriage rights in the state.
President Barack Obama signs the repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell".
President Obama announces his personal support for same-sex marriage.
Maryland, Maine, and Washington become the first states to affirm same-sex marriage by popular vote.
The U.S. Supreme Court announces it will hear appeals of lower court rulings striking down both the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8.