LGBTQ+ Handout: Definitions and Historical Development

This page provides an introduction to LGBTQ+ terminology and a chronological overview of significant events in LGBTQ history. The timeline begins in 1924 with the founding of the Society for Human Rights and extends to recent court rulings on transgender rights in 2020.

Key events highlighted include: • The 1969 Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in the gay rights movement • Changes in the American Psychiatric Association's stance on homosexuality • The implementation and repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy • Landmark Supreme Court decisions on same-sex marriage and workplace discrimination

Definition: LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Plus, encompassing a diverse spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities.

Highlight: The first rainbow flag, now an iconic symbol of LGBTQ pride, was introduced in 1978 as a representation of hope and diversity within the community.

Quote: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was a controversial policy that "prohibits openly gay and lesbian Americans from serving in the military" while also prohibiting harassment of "closeted" homosexuals.

Outline and Stonewall Riots

This page delves deeper into the Stonewall Riots, a watershed moment in LGBT history. It provides context for the social and legal climate that led to the uprising and details the events that unfolded over several nights in June 1969.

The Stonewall Inn, a bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, served as a sanctuary for the LGBTQ community at a time when homosexual acts were illegal in most states. The riots began after a police raid on June 28, 1969, and quickly escalated into a series of violent protests and demonstrations.

Vocabulary: "Outing" refers to the practice of revealing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent, which was often used as a form of blackmail.

Example: The use of a parking meter as a battering ram to break through the Stonewall Inn's door illustrates the intensity and improvised nature of the riots.

Highlight: The Stonewall Riots are considered a turning point in the gay rights movement, sparking a new era of LGBTQ activism and pride.

Quote: "Gay power" and "we shall overcome" were chants used by supporters gathering at the Stonewall Inn in the days following the initial riot, showing the growing sense of empowerment and solidarity within the LGBTQ community.