LGBTQ+ activism became an important movement in the United States during the late 1960s and 1970s. This was part of a larger wave of social justice movements during that time. Many groups were fighting for civil rights, women's rights, environmental causes, and more. LGBTQ+ activists looked at these other movements and wanted similar recognition and rights for their community.

Key Events and Influences

1. Civil Rights Movement:

   • The civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s showed how powerful people could be when they came together.
   • Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. encouraged LGBTQ+ activists to fight for equality and justice too.
   • Seeing the fight against racial inequality made LGBTQ+ people think about their own struggles against unfair treatment and laws.

2. Feminist Movement:

   • The feminist movement gained strength in the 1960s. It focused on issues like unfair treatment at work, women's rights to choose, and equal rights for everyone.
   • The feminist goal to challenge traditional gender roles inspired LGBTQ+ activists to question what society expected from people based on their sexuality and gender.

3. Stonewall Riots (1969):

   • A turning point for LGBTQ+ rights, the Stonewall Riots happened after the police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City.
   • The protests lasted for several days and were among the first major responses against the unfair treatment of LGBTQ+ people.
   • After the Stonewall Riots, the first Pride marches happened in 1970, showing support and bringing visibility to the LGBTQ+ community.

Growth of LGBTQ+ Organizations

• After the Stonewall Riots, many groups focused on LGBTQ+ rights were created, including:
  • Gay Liberation Front (GLF): This group started in 1969 and was one of the first organizations fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. They worked to connect different social justice movements.
  • Human Rights Campaign (HRC): Founded in 1980, this group became very influential, pushing for equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals through new laws.

Impact of LGBTQ+ Activism

• As LGBTQ+ issues gained attention, people's views began to change. By the 1970s:
  • Surveys showed that about 26% of Americans supported gay rights, which was a big increase from earlier years.
  • In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association stopped labeling homosexuality as a mental disorder, which significantly changed how LGBTQ+ people were seen in society and by doctors.

Legislative Milestones

• LGBTQ+ activism during the 1970s led to new laws that helped protect people from discrimination, such as:
  • Local laws supporting LGBTQ+ rights in cities like San Francisco (1978).
  • Campaigns launched to fight against anti-LGBTQ+ laws, like Proposition 6 in California (1978). This law tried to ban gay teachers and their supporters from schools.

In summary, LGBTQ+ activism in the 1960s and 1970s grew as its own movement, closely linked with the civil rights and feminist movements. Inspired by community support and significant events like the Stonewall Riots, LGBTQ+ activists built a foundation for future fights for equality, leading to important social and legal changes.