We like to think we live in a country with equal rights and freedom for all, sadly that is not the case for everyone. Many different groups of Americans throughout our history have faced discrimination, unfair treatment, and overt actions from those in power to hamper freedom. One such group of Americans that are still battling the right for equality are those who identify themselves within the LGBTQIA+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/ally, + “plus” is anyone not listed in the acronym but still identifies as a part of the community). Although LGBTQIA+ identities have existed for thousands of years, the following offers a historical look at American civil rights activists and movements within the community.
The Society for Human Rights - 1924
Henry Gerber founded the Society for Human Rights in Chicago, establishing the first documented gay rights organization in America. After securing a charter from the state of Illinois, the society published Friendship and Freedom, the first known American publication for gay men setting new precedent. Henry Gerber’s house became an historical landmark in 2001 to be remembered and celebrated for future generations.
In 1925, just months after receiving its charter, several Society for Human Rights members, including Henry Gerber, were arrested on obscenity charges following a tip from a member’s wife. Though the charges were dropped, the legal battle left Gerber bankrupt and unemployed, forcing the group to disband before fully pursuing its mission. Although political pressure soon led to its disbandment, the Society for Human Rights became instrumental as inspiration for future activism.
Mattachine Society -1950
Founded November 11, 1950, as a secret organization in Los Angeles, the Mattachine Society (originally the Mattachine Foundation) was established by Communist organizer Harry Hay and other leftists. Borrowing its structure from the Communist Party, the group's leadership, known as the "fifth order," remained anonymous even to its members. It served as a social group where members could air their grievances about the discriminatory policies that plagued their community at the time. As one of the key organizations of the Homophile Movement (social/political movement in the 1950/60’s to promote advocacy for the gay community), the Mattachine Society expanded nationwide, publishing The Mattachine Review in 1955 alongside various regional periodicals. Around 1957, the national headquarters relocated to San Francisco, and the board voted to revoke area council charters, urging local branches to operate independently, which many did. The San Francisco chapter remained active until 1967.
Daughters of Bilitis - 1955
The Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) was the first lesbian rights organization in the United States. It was founded in San Francisco on September 21, 1955, as a private social club offering an alternative to the frequently raided bar scene. It quickly evolved into a national advocacy group with chapters across the country and faced intense surveillance from local police, the CIA, and the FBI. In 1956, DOB launched The Ladder, the first nationally distributed lesbian periodical in the United States. While lesbian rights activist Lisa Ben’s Vice Versa had preceded it in 1947-48, it was never widely distributed. The organization's origins trace back to a Filipina woman Rosalie "Rose" Bamberger, who, along with her partner Rosemary Sliepen and three other couples, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, Marcia Foster and June, and Noni Frey and Mary, first gathered on September 21, 1955. Rose and Rosemary, both working-class factory employees, left the group in early 1956 but remained connected through its mailing list into the 1970s. They continued living together until Rose’s passing in 1990, with Rosemary following in 2010.
Check out these electronic versions of The Ladder from the years 1960 – 1972 provided by UC Berkely!
The Annual Reminders – 1964
On July 4, 1965, a small group of gay and lesbian activists held a picketing demonstration in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution were adopted. Sponsored by East Coast Homophile Organizations, the demonstration included groups such as the Daughters of Bilitis and the Mattachine Societies. Reports estimated 30-50 participants, with varying counts of men and women. The Independence Hall picket inspired annual protests known as the “Annual Reminders,” held each July 4 through 1969, with the final demonstration drawing over 150 participants. These events offer insight into the history of gender, sexuality, and political activism in the 1960s, reflecting debates within the gay community and broader movements for civil rights and social justice.
Compton’s Cafeteria Riot - 1966
The Compton Cafeteria Riot was a protest in August following a police raid on Gene Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco, a popular gathering spot for the transgender community. This was the one of the first LGBT-related riots, preceding the more famous Stonewall Riots, and marked the beginning of transgender activism in San Francisco. Historian, Susan Stryker called it “the first known incident of collective militant queer resistance to police harassment in U.S. history.”
To learn more about this historic event you can view Susan Stryker’s documentary ‘Screaming Queens’ on YouTube.
Stonewall Uprising/Rebellion - 1969
One of the most prominent movements was the Stonewall Uprising which began on June 28, 1969, as LGBTQIA+ protesters clashed with police for six days. Though not the first instance of resistance, it became a turning point in LGBTQIA+ activism, gaining media attention and inspiring annual Pride traditions. While often called "riots," Stonewall veterans prefer "uprising" or "rebellion," as "riots" was a term used by police to justify their actions. As Stormé DeLarverie, Butch lesbian who participated in the Stonewall Uprising states, “It was a rebellion, it was an uprising, it was a civil rights disobedience-it wasn’t no damn riot.” The Stonewall Inn, now a National Historic Landmark in New York, was a popular gay bar during a time when being gay was largely considered criminal.
It is important to note previous raids and protests before Stonewall:
• Pepper Hill Club Raid - Baltimore, Maryland 1955
• Hazel's Inn Raid - Pacifica, California 1956
• Coopers Do-Nut Raid - Los Angeles, California 1959
• Black Nite Brawl - Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1961
• Dewey’s Lunch Counter Sit-In - Philadelphia 1965
• Black Cat Raid - Los Angeles, California 1967
First Gay Pride Week - 1970
The first Pride marches took place on June 28, 1970, marking the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. In New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, thousands gathered to commemorate the rebellion and advocate for equal rights. In New York, the Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee organized “Gay Pride Week,” allowing organizations to host events leading up to the march. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Pride began as a small march down Polk Street in 1970 and grew into a major cultural event, drawing over 250,000 people by 1980. Today, more than a million people celebrate Pride in San Francisco each June.
The Fight for Equality Continues
While the LGBTQIA+ community has made remarkable strides over the past century, the fight for equality is far from over. Discrimination, violence, and legislative setbacks continue to affect queer lives across the country. The need for advocacy, visibility, and solidarity remains urgent. Consider attending the San Francisco Pride Parade June 28 & 29 to show support. To learn more, explore this list of books available at your local library.
References
Burkett, E. (2022, October 21). Site of SF’s Compton’s riot nominated for National Historic Register, Bay Area Reporter https://www.ebar.com/story.php?319978
Gerber, H. (1962). The Society for Human Rights—1925 https://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/usa/illinois/ilnews02.htm
Henry Gerber House. Chicago Landmarks - Landmark Details https://webapps1.chicago.gov/landmarksweb/web/landmarkdetails.htm?lanId=1313&counter=145
Introduction • annual reminders in Philadelphia, July 4, 1965-July 4, 1969, by Marc Stein https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/50th-ann/intro
Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. (1955-05 - 1955-06) https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/fefdf1f0-30d4-0138-2635-0f3502074dc3
Online exhibition - labor of love. GLBT Historical Society https://www.glbthistory.org/labor-of-love
Our history. NYC Pride https://www.nycpride.org/about-pride/our-history
Public Broadcasting Service. Milestones in the American Gay Rights Movement. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/stonewall-milestones-american-gay-rights-movement/
Research guides: LGBTQIA+ studies: A resource guide: The daughters of bilitis https://guides.loc.gov/lgbtq-studies/before-stonewall/daughters-of-bilitis
Research guides: LGBTQIA+ studies: A resource guide: The Mattachine Society https://guides.loc.gov/lgbtq-studies/before-stonewall/mattachine
Research guides: LGBTQIA+ studies: A resource guide: 1969: The stonewall uprising. 1969: The Stonewall Uprising - LGBTQIA+ https://guides.loc.gov/lgbtq-studies/stonewall-era
Salvo, Victor. Society for Human Rights Legacy Project Chicago. https://legacyprojectchicago.org/milestone/society-human-rights
Story map cascade. Home https://www.loc.gov/ghe/cascade/index.html?appid=90dcc35abb714a24914c68c9654adb67
Stryker, S., & Fellman , I. (2022, January 28). Reconstructing the Compton’s cafeteria riot https://www.glbthistory.org/newsletter-blog-2020/08-feature
U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Mattachine Society (U.S. National Park Service) https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/mattachine-society.htm
Zach, E. (2016, August 16). Uncovering gay history in San Francisco. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/21/travel/san-francisco-gay-history.html
Contributed by Dan Oleson-Wheeler
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