1.4 LGBTQ+ rights movement

The LGBTQ+ rights movement emerged to challenge discrimination and secure equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals. From early activism in the 19th century to the Stonewall riots in 1969, the movement has fought for decriminalization, protection against discrimination, and recognition of same-sex relationships.

The movement has employed various strategies, including protests, legal challenges, and education campaigns. Key achievements include the removal of homosexuality from the DSM, repeal of sodomy laws, and legalization of same-sex marriage. Despite progress, challenges remain, including religious backlash and ongoing violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Origins of LGBTQ+ rights movement

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement emerged as a response to the long history of discrimination, criminalization, and stigmatization faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in society
• It sought to challenge the prevailing heteronormative and cisgender norms that marginalized and oppressed LGBTQ+ people
• The movement aimed to secure equal rights, social acceptance, and legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community

Early LGBTQ+ activism in 19th century

• In the late 1800s, early LGBTQ+ activists began to challenge the medical and legal pathologization of homosexuality
  • Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, a German lawyer, publicly defended the rights of homosexuals (Uranians) in 1867
  • Edward Carpenter, an English writer, advocated for the acceptance of "homogenic love" in his 1908 book "The Intermediate Sex"
• The first known LGBTQ+ rights organization, the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, was founded in Germany in 1897 by Magnus Hirschfeld
  • Aimed to repeal Paragraph 175, the law that criminalized homosexuality in Germany
• These early efforts laid the groundwork for the organized LGBTQ+ rights movement in the 20th century

Homophile movement of 1950s

• In the 1950s, the homophile movement emerged in the United States and Europe, focusing on social acceptance and integration of homosexuals into society
• Organizations like the Mattachine Society (1950) and the Daughters of Bilitis (1955) were founded to provide support, education, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community
  • Published magazines (One, The Ladder) to create a sense of community and challenge negative stereotypes
• The homophile movement adopted a more assimilationist approach, emphasizing respectability and conformity to gain acceptance
  • Criticized by later activists for not being confrontational enough in challenging societal norms

Stonewall riots as catalyst

• The Stonewall riots, a series of spontaneous demonstrations by the LGBTQ+ community against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969, marked a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement
• The riots, led by transgender women of color (Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera), sparked a new era of LGBTQ+ activism and pride
  • Inspired the formation of numerous LGBTQ+ rights organizations (Gay Liberation Front, Gay Activists Alliance) and the first Pride marches
• Stonewall is often considered the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, characterized by a more radical, unapologetic, and confrontational approach to demanding equality

Key goals of LGBTQ+ rights movement

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has sought to achieve equality, dignity, and legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in all aspects of life
• It has challenged the societal norms and institutional barriers that have historically marginalized and oppressed the LGBTQ+ community
• The movement has pursued a multi-faceted approach, targeting legal reforms, social acceptance, and cultural representation

Decriminalization of homosexuality

• One of the primary goals of the LGBTQ+ rights movement has been to repeal laws that criminalized same-sex sexual activity (sodomy laws)
  • These laws, often rooted in religious and moral disapproval, were used to harass, arrest, and prosecute LGBTQ+ individuals
• Activists have challenged the constitutionality of these laws through court cases and lobbying efforts
  • In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down sodomy laws as unconstitutional in Lawrence v. Texas
• Decriminalization has been a crucial step in ensuring the basic human rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ people

Protection against discrimination

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has sought to secure legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
  • In areas such as employment, housing, public accommodations, healthcare, and education
• Activists have pushed for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws
  • In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects LGBTQ+ individuals from employment discrimination
• Nondiscrimination protections are essential for ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources for LGBTQ+ people

Recognition of same-sex relationships

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has fought for the legal recognition and equal treatment of same-sex relationships
  • Including the right to marry, adopt children, and access benefits and protections afforded to opposite-sex couples
• Activists have pursued this goal through legal challenges, legislative efforts, and public education campaigns
  • In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in Obergefell v. Hodges
• Recognition of same-sex relationships is crucial for ensuring the equal dignity and rights of LGBTQ+ families

Transgender rights and visibility

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has increasingly focused on advancing the rights and visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals
  • Challenging the binary gender norms and advocating for gender self-determination
• Activists have sought to secure legal protections against discrimination, access to gender-affirming healthcare, and the right to change legal documents to reflect one's gender identity
  • In 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging a lower court ruling that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity
• Transgender rights are essential for ensuring the safety, dignity, and full inclusion of transgender individuals in society

Strategies and tactics employed

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has employed a variety of strategies and tactics to advance its goals and create social and political change
• These approaches have evolved over time, adapting to changing social and political contexts and building on the successes and lessons of previous efforts
• The movement has utilized a combination of grassroots activism, legal advocacy, and public education to challenge discrimination and secure equal rights

Protests and demonstrations

• Protests and demonstrations have been a key tactic of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, serving to raise visibility, challenge societal norms, and demand change
  • The Stonewall riots, the first Pride marches, and the ACT UP protests during the AIDS crisis are notable examples
• Activists have organized marches, rallies, and sit-ins to protest discriminatory laws, policies, and practices
  • In 1987, the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights drew over 500,000 participants
• Protests and demonstrations have been effective in mobilizing the LGBTQ+ community, garnering media attention, and pressuring decision-makers to address LGBTQ+ rights issues

Legal challenges and court cases

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has strategically used the legal system to challenge discriminatory laws and secure legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals
• Activists have filed lawsuits and argued cases before state and federal courts to advance LGBTQ+ rights
  • Key cases include Lawrence v. Texas (2003), which struck down sodomy laws, and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
• Legal victories have established important precedents and catalyzed further legal and social progress for LGBTQ+ equality

Lobbying and political advocacy

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has engaged in lobbying and political advocacy to influence legislation and public policy related to LGBTQ+ rights
• Activists have worked to elect LGBTQ+-friendly candidates, lobby legislators to support pro-LGBTQ+ bills, and pressure government agencies to adopt inclusive policies
  • The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the U.S., has been influential in shaping federal and state legislation
• Lobbying and political advocacy have been crucial for securing legislative victories and ensuring that LGBTQ+ rights are prioritized in the political agenda

Education and awareness campaigns

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has utilized education and awareness campaigns to challenge stereotypes, promote understanding, and build public support for LGBTQ+ equality
• Activists have developed educational materials, organized workshops and conferences, and utilized media (books, films, television) to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues
  • The It Gets Better Project, launched in 2010, features videos of LGBTQ+ adults sharing supportive messages with LGBTQ+ youth
• Education and awareness campaigns have been effective in changing hearts and minds, fostering acceptance, and creating a more inclusive social climate for LGBTQ+ individuals

Significant milestones and achievements

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has achieved significant milestones and victories over the past decades, transforming the legal and social landscape for LGBTQ+ individuals
• These achievements have been the result of persistent activism, strategic advocacy, and the courage and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies
• While progress has been made, the fight for full LGBTQ+ equality continues, building on the groundwork laid by these historic milestones

Removal of homosexuality from DSM

• In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
  • This decision was a major victory for the LGBTQ+ rights movement, challenging the long-held view of homosexuality as a mental illness
• Activists had protested and disrupted APA meetings, arguing that the classification of homosexuality as a disorder was not based on scientific evidence and perpetuated stigma and discrimination
• The removal of homosexuality from the DSM helped to shift public perceptions and paved the way for greater social acceptance and legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals

Repeal of sodomy laws

• The repeal of sodomy laws, which criminalized same-sex sexual activity, has been a crucial milestone in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights
• In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down sodomy laws as unconstitutional in Lawrence v. Texas, invalidating such laws in 14 states
  • The decision overturned the Court's earlier ruling in Bowers v. Hardwick (1986), which had upheld sodomy laws
• The repeal of sodomy laws has been a major step in ensuring the basic human rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals, protecting them from harassment, arrest, and prosecution based on their sexual orientation

Legalization of same-sex marriage

• The legalization of same-sex marriage has been a landmark achievement of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, ensuring the equal recognition and protection of same-sex relationships
• In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the fundamental right to marry extends to same-sex couples, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide
  • The decision followed a series of state-level legal battles and legislative efforts to recognize same-sex marriage
• The legalization of same-sex marriage has provided LGBTQ+ couples with access to the legal benefits and protections afforded to married couples, promoting equality and the well-being of LGBTQ+ families

Inclusion of sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws

• The inclusion of sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws has been a significant milestone in protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in various aspects of life
• In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
  • The decision extended federal protections to LGBTQ+ workers, complementing state and local laws that already included such protections
• The inclusion of sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws has been crucial in ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals have equal access to opportunities and are protected from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations

Challenges and opposition faced

• Despite significant progress, the LGBTQ+ rights movement has encountered persistent challenges and opposition from various segments of society
• These challenges have ranged from religious and conservative backlash to the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis and ongoing violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals
• The movement has had to navigate these obstacles while continuing to fight for equality, visibility, and social change

Religious and conservative backlash

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has faced significant backlash from religious and conservative groups who view homosexuality and gender non-conformity as immoral or contrary to traditional values
  • Some religious leaders and organizations have actively opposed LGBTQ+ rights, lobbying against pro-LGBTQ+ legislation and promoting conversion therapy
• Conservative politicians and activists have also sought to counter the gains of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, framing LGBTQ+ rights as a threat to religious liberty and traditional family structures
  • In recent years, there has been a proliferation of "religious freedom" bills that aim to legalize discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals based on religious beliefs
• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has had to challenge these narratives and advocate for the separation of church and state in ensuring equal rights for all

AIDS crisis and stigmatization

• The AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s had a devastating impact on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly gay and bisexual men
  • The epidemic claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ individuals and exposed the deep-rooted stigma and discrimination faced by the community
• The government's slow response to the crisis and the lack of resources for research and treatment compounded the suffering of those affected
  • LGBTQ+ activists had to mobilize to demand action, care for the sick, and challenge the stigmatization of people with AIDS
• The AIDS crisis also sparked a new wave of LGBTQ+ activism, such as the formation of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), which used direct action to pressure government agencies and pharmaceutical companies to address the epidemic

Ongoing violence and hate crimes

• LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face violence and hate crimes motivated by homophobia and transphobia
  • According to the FBI, sexual orientation and gender identity are among the most common motivations for hate crimes in the United States
• Transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color, are disproportionately affected by violence and murder
  • In 2020, at least 44 transgender or gender non-conforming people were killed in the U.S., the highest number since tracking began
• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has sought to address this violence through advocacy, education, and lobbying for hate crime laws that specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity

Debates over transgender rights

• As the LGBTQ+ rights movement has made progress on issues like same-sex marriage, the focus has increasingly turned to advancing transgender rights and visibility
• This has sparked heated debates and backlash from those who oppose the recognition of gender identity as distinct from biological sex
  • Controversies have arisen over issues such as transgender individuals' access to bathrooms, participation in sports, and gender-affirming healthcare for youth
• Transgender rights have become a frontier in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality, with activists working to challenge discriminatory laws and policies while facing significant political and cultural opposition

Intersection with other social movements

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has not operated in isolation but has intersected and collaborated with other social movements fighting for justice and equality
• These intersections have highlighted the shared struggles and goals of marginalized communities and have strengthened the collective power of social movements
• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has drawn inspiration and tactics from other movements while also contributing its own unique perspectives and strategies to the broader fight for social change

Connections to civil rights movement

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has been deeply influenced by the African American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s
  • LGBTQ+ activists have adopted strategies and tactics from the civil rights movement, such as civil disobedience, sit-ins, and freedom rides
• The Stonewall riots and the subsequent LGBTQ+ activism of the 1970s were inspired in part by the militant resistance of the Black Power movement
  • Some LGBTQ+ activists saw their struggle as part of a broader fight against oppression and sought to challenge not only homophobia but also racism and other forms of discrimination
• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has also been shaped by the contributions of LGBTQ+ people of color, who have fought to address the intersections of racism, homophobia, and transphobia

Alliances with feminist movement

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has had a complex and evolving relationship with the feminist movement, with periods of both collaboration and tension
• In the 1970s, lesbian feminists played a significant role in shaping the women's liberation movement, challenging heteronormativity and advocating for the inclusion of lesbian issues in the feminist agenda
  • However, some lesbian feminists also faced discrimination and exclusion within the broader feminist movement
• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has also been influenced by feminist critiques of gender roles and patriarchy, with activists challenging the binary gender system and advocating for gender equality
  • Transgender activists have pushed for greater recognition of gender diversity within both the LGBTQ+ and feminist movements

Solidarity with labor and anti-war movements

• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has also found common cause with labor and anti-war movements, recognizing the shared struggles against oppression and injustice
• In the 1970s and 1980s, LGBTQ+ activists participated in solidarity actions with striking workers and organized contingents in labor marches
  • Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., was a strong supporter of the Teamsters and other labor unions
• The LGBTQ+ rights movement has also been involved in anti-war and peace activism, protesting U.S. military interventions and the disproportionate impact of war on marginalized communities