This diversity-leadership resource offers diversity managers insight to evolving workplace diversity with a downloadable list of important LGBT-rights events and the relevant demographics you need to know.

The string of victories achieved by LGBT-rights advocates in 2010 and 2011 continues. Within just the first two months of 2012, a California court struck down the Proposition 8 ban against same-sex marriage, Maryland has legalized same-sex marriage and legislation for same-sex marriage licenses is pending in Washington state. All of this follows a historic 2011 announcement by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that a new U.S. policy will allow for more specific action against countries that do not support LGBT equality.

Click the images below to download a PDF, or click these links to expand: LGBT Pride Timeline and LGBT Fact & Figures.

 LGBT PRIDE TIMELINE 

1828: The term “crime against nature” is coined in the U.S. Criminal Code

1867: “Father of the LGBT Movement” Karl-Heinrich Ulrichs is the first to speak out for gay rights

1892: First use of “bisexual” appears in Charles Gilbert Chaddock’s translation of Richard von Krafft-Ebing’s Psychopathia Sexualis

1924: The Society for Human Rights, the first gay-rights organization in the United States, is founded. It is shut down by police within a few months

1955: The Daughters of Bilitis, the first national U.S. lesbian organization, is formed

1962: Illinois becomes the first state to decriminalize homosexual acts

1966: The National Planning Conference of Homophile Organizations is formed

1969: Stonewall riots in New York gain national attention for gay rights

1970: First Gay Liberation Day March is held in New York City; similar events are held in Los Angeles and San Francisco

1973: The American Psychiatric Association removes “homosexuality” definition as a mental disorder

1975: Minneapolis becomes the first city to protect transgender people by law from discrimination

1978: Rainbow flag is first used as symbol of gay pride

1979: First national gay-rights march is held in Washington, D.C.

1980: David McReynolds becomes the first openly LGBT person to run for president

1982: Wisconsin is the first state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

1983: Rep. Gerry Studds (Mass.) becomes the first openly gay member of Congress

1989: Denmark becomes the first country to legalize same-sex partnerships

1993: “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy allows gays/lesbians to serve in the U.S. military as long as they are closeted
Minnesota passes the first state-wide law prohibiting discrimination against transgender people

1996: Supreme Court says protections for gays/lesbians are civil rights guaranteed to all U.S. citizens

2000: Vermont becomes first state to legally recognize civil unions for gays and lesbians
President Bill Clinton names June Gay and Lesbian Pride Month

2003: Supreme Court rules sodomy laws unconstitutional in Lawrence v. Texas

2004: Massachusetts legalizes same-sex marriage

2005: Civil unions become legal in Connecticut

2006: Civil unions become legal in New Jersey

2007: DiversityInc requires domestic-partner benefits as a prerequisite to make The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list (read our Methodology)

2008: 

• Diego Sanchez is appointed top legislative assistant to Rep. Barney Frank, making him the first transgender staff member on Capitol Hill
• California’s State Supreme Court allows gay marriage; Proposition 8 then eliminates it
• Connecticut legalizes same-sex marriage

2009: 

• President Barack Obama signs a law extending existing federal hate-crime laws to include those committed on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity
• President Obama renames June as LGBT Pride Month
• Iowa and Vermont legalize same-sex marriage

2010:

• Federal court declares California’s Prop. 8 unconstitutional
• The District of Columbia and New Hampshire legalize same-sex marriage
• President Obama signs law to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy

2011: 

• The Respect for Marriage Act is filed in U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to repeal DOMA and end federal discrimination against legally married same-sex couples
• New York legalizes same-sex marriage
• President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announce policy for more specific actions against countries that do not move to create LGBT equality

2012:

• The Human Rights Campaign assigns more stringent qualifications for ranking as a best place to work for LGBT employees on its Corporate Equality Index, with an emphasis on benefits for transgender employees
• Proposition 8 in California is ruled unconstitutional, but ruling is expected to go to U.S. Supreme Court
• Maryland and Washington state legalize same-sex marriage
• Ellen DeGeneres is named jcpenney spokesperson; CEO Ron Johnson supports her—and her strong values—despite protests from group calling itself “One Million Moms”
• A Boston court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional

Sources: Catalyst, National Women’s History Project