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 * __Homosexual Rights__**


 * __Historical roots and development:__**

Why does it take so long for homosexuality to appear in America’s history? Homosexuality has a somewhat short history. During the 1860s and 1870s, officials began noticing strange sexual patterns and preferences among some individuals. They called such people who demonstrated these actions “sexual deviants.” Homosexuals were considered a class of sexual deviants. They were the victims of medical and psychiatric testing as well as legal intervention. The Holocaust, although it didn’t happen in America, had widespread effects on homosexuals in America. Nazis in Germany sent many people, including homosexuals to die in concentration camps. This gave homosexuals in America a reason to be afraid to come out. Gays and lesbians were banned from the military and discriminated against which is also why they didn’t want to come out. It took awhile for groups to be made and for people to openly protest for homosexual rights.

What sparked the beginning of the movement? The first ever homosexual rights movement, called The Society for Human Rights, was founded in 1924 by Henry Gerber. Homosexual movements didn’t really spark though, until the late 1940s, early 1950s. The Mattachine Society, which was thought to be the first **national** homosexual rights movement, was founded in November of 1950 in Los Angeles. Harry Hay brainstormed this underground emancipation movement. It was a group that wanted to protect and improve the rights of homosexuals as well as unify, assist and educate them.

1956-The Daughters of Bilitis is founded. This was the first ever lesbian rights organization.
 * __More history…__**

1957- About 10% of the population was revealed to be homosexual.

1961- Illinois was the first to decriminalize homosexual acts

1969- The Stonewall Riots. These riots transformed the movement from a small group of activists into a huge widespread protest for rights and acceptance.

1973- Harvey Milk, an openly gay man, runs for the city supervisor in San Francisco. He opposed government involvement in sexual matters. He came in tenth place out of 32 candidates. He had received a lot of media attention for his amazing speeches, brave political viewpoints, and media skills.

1974- Milk was then appointed by Mayor George Moscone to the Board of Permit Appeals. He was the first openly gay commissioner in the US.

1978- In January, Harvey Milk is sworn in as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He begins the term by sponsoring a civil rights bill that outlaws sexual orientation discrimination. Only one person votes against it, and the Mayor signs it into law.

Sadly, on November 27th, Harvey Milk and the Mayor George Mascone are assassinated by a man named Dan White. He was another city supervisor who had recently resigned but wanted his job back. He had gotten in an argument with both of the men and proceeded to shoot them several times. White later committed suicide in jail.

1981- The first report of AIDS which was thought to be only a disease homosexuals got. It was later on called the “Gay Plague.”

1982-Wisconsin passes the first gay rights bill.

1993- President Clinton was the first president to recognize homosexual rights. The “Don’t ask Don’t Tell” policy is allowed in US military, allowing gays to serve in the military while banning homosexual activities. The men and women weren’t allowed to be openly gay.

1996- The Romer v. Evans case strikes at Colorado’s Amendment 2, which denied homosexuals protection against discrimination.

2000- Vermont is the first state that legally recognizes civil unions between homosexual couples. They were allowed to the same rights as spouses.

2003- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules that barring homosexuals from marrying violates the state constitution. Same sex marriages later become legal in 2004.

2005-2006- Civil Unions become legal in Connecticut and New Jersey

2007- The House of Representatives passes a bill that provides equal rights in the workplace for homosexuals.

2008- Other states like New York and Oregon allow equal rights to homosexuals who are registered as domestic partners that are the same as those allowed to spousal couples. California, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas place certain bans on homosexuals that included not allowing them to marry or adopt. In October, Connecticut’s supreme court accepts the fact that homosexuals have the right to marry. Marriages begin to be performed between same-sex couples in November.

2009- More states begin to allow same-sex marriages. In June, President Obama signs a referendum. This allows homosexual partners of federal employees to receive benefits, but it didn’t allow full health coverage. In August, President Obama awards Harvey Milk with a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2010- December- The US Senate was in favor of repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy which forbid openly gay men and women from serving. President Obama officially repealed the policy on December 18th.

2011- New York allows same-marriages. In July, For the first time in history, Military members march in the San Diego gay pride parade.


 * __Connections__**:
 * The Christian Right**- Big Christian Right advocates are against full civil rights for gay and lesbian Americans. They are especially against the marriage rights of same-sex couples.
 * Worker and Labor Rights**- Gays and lesbians, along with homosexual rights advocates, tried to get better rights and laws banning the bad treatment of homosexuals in the workplace.
 * African American Civil Rights Movement:** This inspired the homosexuals in America to fight for equaliy.


 * __People__**

Please note that since homosexual movements didn’t really start going until the late 1940s, early 1950s, there aren’t really any recorded people for the movements at the start of the century.


 * ADVOCATES**
 * 1950-1975**- **Harry Hay**: He was a political activist who founded the Mattachine Society with some other men in 1951. This was the first national homosexual rights movement. It fought to help bring a more positive outlook on the homosexuals in the US.
 * Frank Kameny:** He co-founded the Mattachine Society.
 * Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon:** This lesbian couple founded the “Daughters of Bilitis” which was the first lesbian rights organization in the US. This group provided support for women who were afraid to come out and educated them about gay history.
 * Barbra Gittings:** Helped found and organize the Daughters of Bilitis.
 * Bayard Rustin:** He was a US Civil rights activist. He organized a huge civil rights march on Washington. He encouraged young homosexuals to come out and stop hiding their sexual orientation.


 * 1976-2000** **: Harvey Milk:** This openly gay council member was sworn into San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors. He was very well respected for his passionate speeches, bravery, and courage while fighting for gay and lesbian rights. He was assassinated one year after being elected. He helped inspire so many people, and a high school for openly gay students was opened in his name.
 * Roberta Achtenberg:** She was the highest ranked openly gay official in the federal government. She was appointed by President Clinton.


 * 2000-Present: Dan savage:** This man created the “It Gets Better Project” which gives hope to young homosexuals who are afraid/ashamed to come out. It shows them that you can be gay and live a good life.
 * Lady Gaga:** She led a rally in Maine the day before a vote on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” She creates songs that are about loving yourself for who you are. She inspires homosexuals everywhere to feel comfortable about who they are.
 * Jake Gyllenhaal:** He is a supporter of GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defarmation)


 * AGAINST**
 * Anita Bryant: (1978)** She successfully campaigned the ordinance in St. Paul which prohibited anti-gay discrimination.
 * Scott Lively:** He is an American author and an anti-gay activist.
 * Jerry Lewis:** Comedian who has repeatedly made anti gay slurs

Homosexual rights have been drastically improved within the past few years. There is so much more for gays and lesbians around America to gain. I think that if more people join the fight for this cause, more rights will be granted to these homosexuals. By the way that it looks, more and more celebrities and politicians around the nation are gathering together and standing up for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) rights. It looks as if the homosexual movement can only improve from here, giving gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender individuals a more peaceful and fair life in America.
 * __Present and Future:__**


 * __ALL OF MY SOURCES ARE ON MY DIIGO :__** http://www.diigo.com/user/jsmeltzer13?type=all