Over the Rainbow: - Wrestling With Angels

1951 Gay activist, Harry Hay, and others formed the Mattachine Society in Los Angeles, one
of the first gay organizations in the United States and forerunner of the gay liberation
movement.
1961. Illinois was the first state to repeal the ban on consensual homosexual sex.
1969 The Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village, New York, became a symbol of defiance for
the homosexual community. On June 27 th a riot ensued when police tried to close a gay bar
called the Stonewall Inn. For several days homosexuals, transvestites, teenage male
prostitutes, a few lesbians and some passersby marched, yelled, booed, sang and threw
bottles. The police were threatened with rape. The demonstration became a rallying point for
gay and lesbian organizations. The day continues to be commemorated in many cities with
parades, dances and other events. (Abrahamson. 1996:108).
1971. The National Organization for Women supported lesbian rights, over the opposition
of founder Betty Friedan, who referred to lesbians as ‘the Lavender Menace’.
1973: The American Psychiatric Association no longer classified homosexuality as a mental
disorder.
1978: The Rainbow flag, designed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker, becomes a symbol of
gay and lesbian pride. The motif may have been taken from Judy Garland’s popular song,
“Over the Rainbow” .
1979 : The first national March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights drew over one
hundred thousand marchers.
1981: The U.S. Department of Defense bared gay people from serving in the military.
1981: On July 3rd the New York Times published “Rare Cancer Seen in 41 Homosexuals”.
This is the first reporting on what later becomes known as AIDS.
1987: 2 nd March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights draws a half million. The NAMES
quilt is displayed on the mall to remember those who have died of AIDS.
1989: Over 5,000 ACT UP activists staged a protest in front of and inside St. Patrick’s
Cathedral against the Catholic Church’s negative policies on homosexuality and AIDS.
1993: President Clinton attempts to overturn the ban on gays in the military. After
opposition he settles for a compromise, “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.
1994: The 25 th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots draws 1.1 million marchers.
2000: Vermont is the first state to legally recognize civil unions between gay or lesbian
couples.
2003; U.S. Supreme Court strikes down all remaining sodomy laws. (Biskupic.2003).
2009: Vermont becomes the first state to legally recognize gay marriage through the
legislature. (Infoplease.com 2009)
2010: President Barack Obama supports gay rights in society.
Over the Rainbow: The Gay Battle for Social Reorganization of America. 2010
Dr. M. L. Coppock
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