LGBT history

The Stonewall Inn in the gay village of Greenwich Village, Manhattan, site of the June 28, 1969 Stonewall riots, the cradle of the modern worldwide LGBT rights movement, is adorned with rainbow pride flags.[1][2][3]

LGBT history dates back to the first recorded instances of same-sex love and sexuality of ancient civilizations, involving the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) peoples and cultures around the world. What survives after many centuries of persecution—resulting in shame, suppression, and secrecy—has only in more recent decades been pursued and interwoven into more mainstream historical narratives.

In 1994, the annual observance of LGBT History Month began in the United States, and it has since been picked up in other countries. This observance involves highlighting the history of the people, LGBT rights and related civil rights movements. It is observed during October in the United States, to include National Coming Out Day on October 11.[4] In the United Kingdom it has been observed during February since 2005 to coincide with the abolition of Section 28 in 2003, which had prohibited local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality.[5][6] A celebrated achievement in LGBT history occurred when Queen Beatrix signed a law making Netherlands the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.[7]

  1. ^ Rosenberg, Eli (June 24, 2016). "Stonewall Inn Named National Monument, a First for the Gay Rights Movement". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  2. ^ "Workforce Diversity The Stonewall Inn, National Historic Landmark National Register Number: 99000562". National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  3. ^ Hayasaki, Erika (May 18, 2007). "A new generation in the West Village". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  4. ^ "LGBT History Month Resources". Glsen.org. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  5. ^ "Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26) – Statute Law Database". Statutelaw.gov.uk. May 27, 2011. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  6. ^ Local Government Act 1988 (c. 9) Archived November 22, 2005, at the Wayback Machine, section 28. Accessed July 1, 2006 on opsi.gov.uk.
  7. ^ Homosexuality and the Law: A Dictionary. Abc-Clio. 2001. ISBN 9781576072677.