United States of America: Difference between revisions
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In the 1940s, reports from Europe revealed that LGBTQIA+ individuals were among those imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps, where they faced brutal conditions and were often marked with pink triangles. In the United States, discrimination continued as LGBTQIA+ service members were discharged under "blue discharges," which denied them veterans' benefits. | In the 1940s, reports from Europe revealed that LGBTQIA+ individuals were among those imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps, where they faced brutal conditions and were often marked with pink triangles. In the United States, discrimination continued as LGBTQIA+ service members were discharged under "blue discharges," which denied them veterans' benefits. | ||
The 1950s brought widespread government firings during the McCarthy era, labeling LGBTQIA+ individuals as security risks. At the same time, | The 1950s brought widespread government firings during the McCarthy era, labeling LGBTQIA+ individuals as security risks. At the same time, ''One: The Homosexual Magazine'' won a landmark Supreme Court case affirming the right to publish LGBTQIA+ content, challenging censorship laws. | ||
By the 1960s, LGBTQIA+ activism gained momentum. The Mattachine Society, an early LGBTQIA+ rights organization, fought through the courts for legal recognition and defended itself before Congress. These efforts laid the foundation for future activism, pushing back against laws and policies that had long targeted LGBTQIA+ communities. | By the 1960s, LGBTQIA+ activism gained momentum. The Mattachine Society, an early LGBTQIA+ rights organization, fought through the courts for legal recognition and defended itself before Congress. These efforts laid the foundation for future activism, pushing back against laws and policies that had long targeted LGBTQIA+ communities. | ||
Revision as of 05:31, 1 March 2025
This page provides an overview of LGBTQIA+ history in the United States, including key events, legal milestones, and social movements. It highlights both progress and challenges while preserving historical records for research and education. Some materials may reflect outdated or discriminatory views, included here to document the historical context in which they existed.
19th Century
The 19th century had strict gender roles, but historical records show people living beyond those expectations. Newspaper articles from the 1830s describe women wearing breeches instead of dresses, facing criticism and being labeled "unsexed." Some accounts mention women who lived as men, sometimes for survival or better opportunities, and other situations of transgender men who lived authentically despite legal and social barriers.
Some publications in the 1850s discussed a "third sex," often in response to women wearing shorter skirts and loose trousers known as bloomers. This style, popularized by women's rights activists, challenged expectations of how women should dress and behave. By the 1860s, newspaper articles reference Macintosh balls, gatherings where drag performers and gender expression played a central role, reflecting early forms of ball culture.
One well-documented figure from this period was James Barry (1789–1865), a transgender man and respected surgeon. Historical records like these show that transgender and gender-diverse people have always existed, even if history has not always recognized them.
- Read more LGBTQIA+ history in the 19th century.
20th Century
The early 20th century saw growing awareness of LGBTQIA+ communities alongside increasing government restrictions. In the 1920s, Mae West’s play The Drag, which depicted gay life, was banned. During the 1930s, Nazi Germany intensified persecution, targeting LGBTQIA+ people through book burnings and police raids on gathering spaces.
In the 1940s, reports from Europe revealed that LGBTQIA+ individuals were among those imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps, where they faced brutal conditions and were often marked with pink triangles. In the United States, discrimination continued as LGBTQIA+ service members were discharged under "blue discharges," which denied them veterans' benefits.
The 1950s brought widespread government firings during the McCarthy era, labeling LGBTQIA+ individuals as security risks. At the same time, One: The Homosexual Magazine won a landmark Supreme Court case affirming the right to publish LGBTQIA+ content, challenging censorship laws.
By the 1960s, LGBTQIA+ activism gained momentum. The Mattachine Society, an early LGBTQIA+ rights organization, fought through the courts for legal recognition and defended itself before Congress. These efforts laid the foundation for future activism, pushing back against laws and policies that had long targeted LGBTQIA+ communities.
- Read more LGBTQIA+ history in the 20th century.
US Records
- Army LGBTQIA Records (USA)
- FBI LGBTQIA Records (USA)
- Police Records (USA)
- White House LGBTQIA Records (USA)
Related Pages
- History of Censorship (USA)
- History of Cross-Gender Acting (USA)
- History of Drag (USA)
- History of Entrapment (USA)
- History of Hate Crimes (USA)
- History of LGBTQ Terms (USA)
- History of Panic Defense (USA)
- History of Police Raids (USA)
- McCarthyism (USA)
- Landmark Supreme Court Cases (USA)
- United States of America (Aging Events) for some events that will need documenting.
State and Territory Archives
- Archives By State (USA)
- State of California
- State of Colorado
- State of Florida
- State of Idaho
- State of Michigan
- State of Minnesota
- State of Mississippi
- State of New York
- State of Oklahoma
- State of Tennessee
- State of Texas
- State of Washington
- State of Wisconsin
- Virgin Islands of the United States
- Washington D.C.
