Within the last century, rights for the LGBTQ+ community have made immense progress in the U.S. Historically, there have been laws enacted against people who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Same-sex marriages have been prohibited for a long time but have been legally allowed in all fifty states in the U.S. since June 26, 2015. Same-sex couples were not allowed to adopt children either but can now do so. Although progress has been made to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for many years, individuals from this community continue to face constant discrimination.

The early gay rights movement in the U.S. began in Chicago in 1924 by Henry Gerber. Gerber founded the Society for Human Rights. Ferber was a German immigrant who, during his time serving in the U.S. Army in World War I, was inspired by the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, a “homosexual” emancipation group in Germany, to create his own organization. A few issues of the country’s first gay-interest newsletter, “Friendship and Freedom,” were published.

The Mattachine Foundation is one of the nation's first gay rights groups. Harry Hay began this foundation in 1950. In order to improve gay men's lives, the Mattachine Foundation organized discussion groups and other related activities. Following the arrest of a founding member, Dale Jennings, in 1952 for solicitation, the foundation expanded. However, Jennings was eventually set free later on. Another organization called One, Inc. was established by Jennings at the end of 1952. In this organization, women were welcomed, and ONE, which is the country’s first pro-gay magazine, was published.

The Mattachine Society was formed after members of the Mattachine Foundation reorganized the organization. Other parts of the country began establishing their own chapters of the Mattachine Society. Additionally, in 1955, the country’s second gay publication, “The Mattachine Review,” was published. During the same year, in San Francisco, the Daughters of Bilitis was founded by four lesbian couples. In this organization, a newsletter called “The Ladder” was published, which is the first lesbian publication.

Even with the establishment of movements for LGBTQ+ rights, many problems arose and were still faced during this time. This includes homosexuality being categorized as a form of mental disorder in 1952 by the American Psychiatric Association. In addition, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order in 1953, banning gay people from working in federal jobs. More specifically, gay people were considered people who were guilty of “sexual perversion.” This prohibition on gay people was effective for about 20 years.

The early progress of the gay rights movement emerged in the 1960s. For instance, Illinois became the first state to repeal its anti-sodomy laws in 1961. This repeal led to the decriminalization of homosexuality. Also, in California, a local TV station aired the first homosexuality documentary called The Rejected.

Pride month in June for the LGBTQ+ community started on June 28, 1969, in New York City with the Stonewall Riots. A gay club Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village was raided by police, which eventually led to riots and protests occurring throughout New York City. Many people credited trans woman Marsha P. Johnson for sparking the riots after throwing the first brick or shot glass even though the rioting had already started when Johnson arrived.

Following the Stonewall Riots, LGBTQ+ activism rose to prominence. In 1970, the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a march in Central Park was organized by groups such as The Mattachine Society, the Gay Liberation Front, and Gay Activists Alliance, with the theme “Gay Pride.” Soon after the march down Christopher Street, this march expanded to other cities and throughout the 1970s as well. This march is known as the Christopher Street Liberation Day and is considered the country’s first gay pride parade. Pride ultimately became a huge celebration.