LGBTQ History in America

LGBTQ History in America'

1600s:

LGBTQ History would begin before America separated from England. It would become known to the public in the beginning of colonization. It was a more complicated time. Since the majority of the people who immigrated were Puritans. They had more religious and strict views when it came to how the people should live. If someone was accused of "homosexuality" or "sodomy" it would be hard for the individual to defend themselves. Because of the chaos of early colonization it was most likely an unfair trial for the accused. 

1624:

In 1624, Richard Cornish would be one of the first to be accused of "sodomy". Richard Cornish was a ship captain. He was accused of sexually assaulting, William Couse. Because of the ideas at that time. It is unsure of whether or not this was a sexual assault. He would eventually be executed for the crime and became one of the first examples of what could happen to someone who practiced 'homosexuality'.

1636:

John Cotton was a clergyman or pastor during Colonization. Because he was a clergyman he was considered to be called by God to share the word of God. He was one of the few people who would be given the opportunity to make laws for the Puritan community. With power comes a great responsibility. Because of Cotton's power he was able to take advantage of his power. He followed "The Sodomy Laws". These laws were created in 1624. These laws made it illegal for someone to have sex outside of marriage. This also applied to people in the LGBT community. In most communities it was punishable by death. Their reasoning for this would be that Homosexuals were considered a threat to the community.

1700s:

1752

It was not uncommon for women to dress up like men. This was not necissarily for drag but for more opportunities. Women would pretend to dress up as men or pretend to be a man in order to move up in society. One of these individuals was, Dr. Charles Hamilton. Her name was actually Charlotte Hamilton. She was a celebrated doctor in her time until her identity was revealed. She would be arrested in 1752. This arrest would force her to confess.

1777

During Thomas Jefferson's presidency, he denounced and changed the "Sodomy Laws". It would not be seen as an improvement though. Instead of individuals being put to death, they would become castrated. This was put in order so that homosexuals would not put anyone else in danger. 

1900s

1917:

The early 1900s in America was characterized by immigration. Immigrants would travel all over the world to come to Ellis Island, with the hope that they would become U.S. citizens. It was complicated for the average person to come into the country. It was even more difficult for someone who was gay. There was actually a law that the Immigration law was changed in 1917 to try and exclude LGBT individuals.

1948

In 1948, Alfred Kinsey conducted a study on the fluidity of sexuality/sexual orientation. This study also formed the Kinsey scale which can still be used today. Kinsey's belief was that everyone is on a scale when it comes to sexuality. He believed that no one was a hundred percent gay or straight. He also did not believe that anyone was a hundred percent male or female. He would give the individual a test and they would answer simple questions about attraction and understanding self. His results found that 48% males and 28% females experienced "homosexual tendencies".

1962:

Illinois would become the first state to decriminalize "homosexual contact" between consenting adults.

1969:

The Stonewall Riots would begin in 1969. During this time it was illegal to run openly gay/lesbian bars. This would begin a war between the LGBTQ individuals and the police. This riot would continue on for three days. The point was to bring awareness to the oppression that was happening all over the country.

1981

The 80s would be the beginning of AIDS epidemic. It was originally called GRID. It was seen in the beginning in mostly gay men. It was a diseased that was mostly ignored by the Reagan Administration and CDC. The AIDS Epidemic was also coined as, "The Gay Disease". There was the idea that it would kill most of the gay population. The government would not begin to take the disease seriously until women and children were getting diagnosed.

1995:

President Bill Clinton would sign, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" bill. This would not allow military officials ask about a individuals sexual orientation. It would also inhibit soldiers from sharing whether or not they were in the LGBT community.

1999

The American Counseling Association denounces "gay conversion therapy" as a cure for Homosexuality. This would also be the beginning of therapists/psychologist not seeing homosexuality as a disease.

2000s

2004

Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

2010

Obama repeals "Don't Ask, Don't tell".

2015

Gay Marriage becomes legalized in all fifty states.