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GLBT
HISTORICAL NOTES
Political Highlights
1969
The Stonewall Riots ignited the gay rights movement.

1978
Gay activists Harvey Milk is elected to San Francisco Board of
Supervisors. 20 days later he is murdered by Supervisor Dan
White.

1983
U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, D-Mass., becomes first member of
Congress to acknowledge his homosexuality.

1987
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., becomes the second member of
Congress to state he is gay.
1987
Between 250k to 500k gays and lesbians and their supporters
converge on Washington for the largest gay rights demonstration
ever.

1987
ACT-UP is formed.
1990
President George H. Bush signs the National Hate Crimes Act, the
first to include gays.

1990
Militant group Queer Nation founded.
1993
The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy is instituted for U.S. military.
1995
President Clinton signs executive order forbidding the denial of
security clearances on basis of sexual orientation.
1998
President Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act, denying the
federal benefits to same-sex spouses.
2000
Vermont becomes first state to legalize civil unions between gay
and lesbian couples.

2004
Same sex marriages become legal in Massachusetts.
2004
U.S. Senate defeats measure to create constitutional amendment
limiting marriage to heterosexual.
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