History of LGBT Pride
From Stonewall to the New Millenium

Rioting now gripped the world and something had to be done. A quote I particularly like that I think symbolises something that we all know and feel was made by The Canadian Prime Minister who said "The government has no business in the bedrooms of the nation". Unfortunately not everyone agreed with this statement and apart from the rioting that sparked the debates in the first place, a lot of legislation (I prefer the term 'red tape') started being reviewed.

For the sake of equal rights this was important but for those who simply wished to live without fear and (more importantly) knowing that the taxes they where paying not only kept the streets clean and lit, but also prevented their blood from needing cleaning off of them.

In 1970 the first Gay Liberation Day March was held in New York City and The first Gay Freedom Day March was held in Los Angeles

In1972 Sweden became the first country in the world to allow transsexuals to legally change their sex, and started providing free hormone therapy. Lesbianism 101, the first lesbianism course in the U.S. was taught at the University of Buffalo by Margaret Small and Madeline D. Davis.

In 1973 The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II), based largely on the research and advocacy of Evelyn Hooker

In 1974 Kathy Kozachenko became the first openly homosexual American elected to public office when she won a seat on the Ann Arbor, Michigan city council. In New York City Dr. Fritz Klein founds the Bisexual Forum, the first social and support group for the Bisexual Community. Robert Grant founded American Christian Cause to oppose the "gay agenda", the beginning of modern Christian politics in America. In London, the first openly LGBT telephone help line opened, followed one year later by the Brighton Lesbian and Gay Switchboard.

In 1977 – Harvey Milk (taken to the silver screen and played by Sean Penn) was elected city-county supervisor in San Francisco, becoming the third out American elected to public office, the original eight-colour version of the LGBT pride flag was invented.

In 1978 San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone are assassinated by former Supervisor Dan White. The rainbow flag was first used as a symbol of homosexual pride and in 1979 the first national homosexual rights march on Washington, DC was held.

In 1980 Scotland decriminalized homosexuality, David McReynolds became the first openly LGBT individual to run for President of the United States (appearing on the Socialist Party U S A ticket). The Human Rights Campaign Fund was founded by Steve Endean, an advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality (also known as lesbian gay bisexual and transgender or lgbt).

In 1981 the European Court of Human Rights in Dudgeon v. United Kingdom strikes down Northern Ireland's criminalisation of homosexual acts between consenting adults, leading to Northern Ireland decriminalising homosexual sex the following year. Norway became the first country in the world to enact a law to prevent discrimination against homosexuals

In 1982 the first Gay Games was held in San Francisco, attracting 1,600 participants.

In 1983 AIDS was described as a "gay plague" by Reverend Jerry Falwell.

In 1984 Chris Smith, newly elected to the UK parliament declared, "My name is Chris Smith. I'm the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and I'm gay", making him the first openly out homosexual politician in the UK parliament.

In 1985 the first memorial to gay Holocaust victims was dedicated;

In 1987 Homomonument, a memorial to persecuted homosexual, opened in Amsterdam.

In 1988 Section 28 passed in England and Wales, with Scotland enacting almost identical legislation.

In 1989 Denmark was the first country in the world to enact registered partnership laws (like a civil union) for same-sex couples, with most of the same rights as marriage (excluding the right to adoption and the right to marriage in a church).

In 1990 OutRage!, an LGBT rights direct action group, formed in the UK.

In 1991 the red ribbon was first used as a symbol of the campaign against HIV/AIDS.

In 1992 the World Health Organization removes homosexuality from its ICD-10.

In 1994 the United Kingdom reduced the age of consent for homosexual men to 18. The AMA denounces supposed cures for homosexuality. Recognising that it is inherent in nature.

In 1995 the Human Rights Campaign dropped the word fund from their title and broadens their mission to promote "an America where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of the American family at home, at work and in every community."

In 1997 the UK extended immigration rights to same-sex couples akin to marriage.

In 1998 Matthew Shepard was murdered. The Employment Equality Act is introduced in Ireland, covering wrongful dismissal based on the grounds of sexual orientation;

And finally in 1999 the "Queer Youth Alliance" was founded in the UK

Next Section (And now in the New Millenium)