name: ______________________ date: ________________

Historical context
the rise of the LGBTQ+ movement

Directions: The purpose of this handout is to provide information on various historical

moments that contributed to the current LGBTQ+ narrative.

Key moments:
1950 | Contraceptive pill invented, creating the possibility of “casual sex” because it separated sex
from its natural consequence (i.e., pregnancy)
1952 | American Psychiatric Association (APA) lists homosexuality as a sociopathic personality
disturbance
1953 | Eisenhower signs an executive order banning homosexual individuals from working for the
federal government, listing homosexuals as “security risks”
1960 | Sexual revolution
1962 | Illinois becomes the first state to decriminalize homosexuality
1968 | Gay rights activist Franklin Kamney coins the slogan “Gay is Good”
1969 | After local police led raids on homosexual-friendly establishments, the homosexual
community fought back. In June 1969, there were three days of riots. This was the start of the
modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
1970 | America’s first gay pride parade is held in NYC
1973 | APA removes homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses

1.2 Historical context 1

1.2
name: ______________________ date: ________________

1979 | 75,000 people participate in a national march for gay and lesbian rights to demand equal
civil rights
1981 | The start of the AIDS outbreak, which becomes a human rights issue, receives a lot of
publicity, financial support, and media representation
1993 | “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy created for the US military. This prohibited barring applicants
based on sexual orientation, although homosexual acts were still forbidden.
1996 | Defense of Marriage Act: defines marriage as a union between a man and a
woman 1998 | Matthew Shepard was beaten and killed due to his sexual orientation
2004 | Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize gay marriage on the premise that banning
gay marriage denied the dignity and equality of all individuals
2009 | The Matthew Shepard Act is passed, expanding the federal hate crime law to include crimes
motivated by gender or sexual orientation
2010 | “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy revoked. Anyone can serve openly in the military.
2015 | U.S. Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage in all 50 states
2016 | Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando kills 49 people and leaves 53 wounded.
2022 | Kamala Harris is the first sitting US Vice President to speak at a Pride Festival in DC.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau becomes the first world leader to appear on RuPaul’s
Drag Race.

Statement from The Family Foundation: Statement from the restaurant:

“Welcome to the double standard of the left, where
some believe Jack Phillips must be forced to create
a wedding cake as part of the celebration of a
same sex ceremony but any business should be
able to deny basic goods and services to those
who hold biblical values around marriage. At The
Family Foundation, we believe individuals in
private business should not have to violate their
convictions, which for some Christians means not
celebrating what God has declared sin (Roman
1:32). However, most, if not all, faiths not only allow
for the provision of services, like food, to those with
whom they disagree, but they also encourage it.”
"Recently we refused service to a group that had
booked an event with us after the owners of
Metzger found out it was a group of donors to a
political organization that seeks to deprive women
and LGBTQ+ persons of their basic human rights
in Virginia. We have always refused service to
anyone for making our staff uncomfortable or
unsafe and this was the driving force behind our
decision. Many of our staff are women and/or
members of the LGBTQ+ community. All of our
staff are people with rights who deserve dignity
and a safe work environment."

1.2 Historical context 2

 1.2
name: ______________________ date: ________________

What is the conflict according to each group?

The conflict according to each group was that the family organization wanted a cake from the
restaurant but did not receive it because they were part of an organization that helped people who
were a part of the LGBTQ+ community and this made the staff in the restaurant uncomfortable.

How does this example demonstrate how the movement has become hegemonic?

This example demonstrates how the movement has become hegemonic because they are

forcing their beliefs and sins upon people by being way too public. 1.2