The LGBT movement in the United States began in 1969 when a police raid at the Stonewall Tavern in Greenwich Village turned into a riot that lasted for five days. The idea of Gay Power was born, but very few, except for a couple of hundred activists, thought they had a chance.
Against all odds, a movement formed. It pressured the American Psychological Association to remove homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 1975, and finally convinced the New York Times to reverse its ban on using the word “gay” in print in 1987. We built our own economic and political muscle because we had no choice.
When AIDS began its devastating sweep, the medical and pharmaceutical establishments turned the other cheek. Politicians skirted the inconvenient issue at every opportunity.
But out of despair came strength. Organizations like Gay Mens’ Health Crisis and Act-Up raised money, made noise, and changed policies. Celebrities like Ellen and Rosie came out to their huge television audiences and continued the struggle for visibility and acceptance.
Today, as we press for marriage equality in the US and for the civil rights of LGBT people around the world, there is a new opportunity to strengthen our community.
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