There have been countless moments that shaped Philadelphia’s LGBT community in the last 40 years. From protests to Prides, and City Council to the Supreme Court, here are just a few of the newsmakers in the past four decades:
-Philadelphia’s first gay business group, Community Alliance of Philadelphia, forms in August 1977.
-In 1978, openly gay Dennis J. Beck runs, unsuccessfully, against Sam Rappaport for the 182nd state House seat.
-On Nov. 7, 1978, California voters, by a margin of 59-41, defeat a virulently antigay state ballot known as the Briggs Initiative that would have banned gays and lesbians, and anyone who supports them, from teaching in public schools.
-Pioneering openly gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk is assassinated Nov. 27, 1978.
-University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia’s largest private employer, adopts a nondiscrimination policy Jan. 17, 1979, inclusive of sexual or affectional preference.
-A “Stonewall to San Francisco” rally to mark the 10th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots draws 500 people to Philadelphia’s JFK Plaza June 16, 1979.
-The first-ever Congressional hearing on a gay civil-rights bill is held Oct. 10, 1980, in San Francisco.
-In February 1982, Delaware County resident John DeSantos files suit against former partner Bill Barnsley for property and alimony in the area’s first gay “divorce” case.
-The largest conference for Dignity USA, an organization for LGBT Catholics, is held Sept. 4-7, 1981, at Philadelphia’s Franklin Plaza Hotel.
-Philadelphia’s Gay Community Center shuts down its physical operations in December 1983.
-Philadelphia City Council votes down a Gay Pride proclamation in a 9-7 vote May 24, 1984.
-The U.S. Supreme Court issues a 5-4 decision in Bowers v. Hardwick June 30, 1986, upholding sodomy laws.
-Officer Sara O’Brien is named Philadelphia’s first police liaison to the LGBT community in October 1986.
-U.S. Rep. Barney Frank acknowledges he’s gay in June 1987, marking the first time a Congressman willingly comes out.
-Civil-rights pioneer Bayard Rustin dies Aug. 24, 1987, of cardiac arrest.
-Denmark becomes the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in the world on May 26, 1989.
-Philadelphia holds its first Pride march since the 1970s on June 18, 1989, drawing about 1,000 people to JFK Plaza.
-On Jan. 13, 1992, the New Jersey legislature approves a measure to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in the state.
-Director Jonathan Demme, Mayor Ed Rendell and other officials gather for a press conference Oct. 22, 1992, to announce a film called “Philadelphia,” about HIV/AIDS discrimination, would be filmed here.
-University of Pennsylvania adopts domestic-partner benefits for employees, effective May 1994.
-The newly formed Police Advisory Commission, tasked with investigating complaints against police, fields its first gay-related complaint July 26, 1994.
-The board of trustees of District Council 47, representing 3,500 city workers, adopts domestic-partner benefits for members on April 6, 1995.
-Mayor Rendell signs an executive order June 7, 1996, granting domestic-partner benefits to same-sex partners of 500 non-unionized city workers.
-On Dec. 17, 1997, the state of New Jersey settles a class-action lawsuit that allows same-sex couples to jointly adopt, a first-in-the-nation decision.
-The first Philadelphia Dyke March is held June 13, 1998.
-On Oct. 12, 1998, gay college student Matthew Shepard succumbs to his injuries after being beaten and tied to a fence in Laramie, Wyo.
-Philadelphia writer Robert Drake is attacked in a gay-bashing Jan. 31, 1999, in Sligo, Ireland.
-On April 26, 2000, Vt. Gov. Howard Dean signs the nation’s first civil-union law.
-Philadelphia LGBT and HIV/AIDS activist Kiyoshi Kuromiya dies May 10, 2000.
-In a 15-2 vote, Philadelphia City Council adds gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination law May 16, 2002.
-On June 26, 2002, seven same-sex couples file suit in New Jersey calling for marriage equality.
-In its June 26, 2003, ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down sodomy laws.
-Gov. Rendell issues an executive order July 28, 2003, that prohibits gender-identity discrimination against state employees.
-The Philadelphia Phillies host their first Gay Community Day Aug. 12, 2003.
-Following a state Supreme Court ruling, Massachusetts becomes the first American state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples May 17, 2004.
-The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation launches a 30-second gay-tourism ad under a new campaign, “Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay,” June 2, 2004.
-The marriage-equality movement sees a sweeping loss Nov. 2, 2004, as voters in 11 states approve bans on same-sex marriage.
-Eleven protesters from local antigay group Repent America are arrested Oct. 11, 2004, at LGBT festival Outfest, though charges are later dropped.
-Local businessman Mel Heifetz gives $274,000 to pay off the mortgage of William Way LGBT Community Center June 3, 2005.
-Ann Butchart is elected to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Nov. 8, 2005, the city’s first out elected official and the state’s first out judge.
-Gay-porn producer Bryan Kocis is found murdered in his Northeast Pennsylvania home Jan. 24, 2007.
-New Jersey begins granting civil unions for same-sex couples Feb. 19, 2007.
-Three-dozen rainbow street signs are installed throughout the Gayborhood April 18, 2007.
-The U.S. House approves a version of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act lacking protections based on gender identity Nov. 7, 2007.
-After a years-long effort, William Way opens its elevator June 6, 2009.
-Gay Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi commits suicide after cyberbullying Sept. 22, 2010.
-The rainbow Pride flag flies for the first time outside Philadelphia City Hall in October 2010.
-Attorney General Eric Holder announces Feb. 3, 2011, that the Department of Justice will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act.
-Mayor Michael Nutter and 100 others form the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry in February 2012.
-Philadelphia is the only city to receive a perfect baseline score in Human Rights Campaign’s first Municipal Equality Index, released in November 2012.
-In a television interview May 9, 2012, President Obama announces he has “evolved” and supports marriage equality.
-Three states legalize same-sex marriage through ballot initiatives Nov. 6, 2012, the first time marriage equality is achieved through popular vote.
-The U.S. Supreme Court overturns a key portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act June 26, 2013.
-Ed Hermance announces in September 2013 that he is retiring and will sell LGBT bookstore Giovanni’s Room, which, after a short closure, was taken over by Philadelphia AIDS Thrift.
-On July 24, 2013, Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes becomes the first person in Pennsylvania to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
-The first lawsuit to challenge Pennsylvania’s ban on marriage equality is filed July 9, 2013, by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and firm Hangley Aronchick on behalf of several same-sex couples.
-Transit agency SEPTA lifts its gender markers July 1, 2013.
-Same-sex marriages begin in New Jersey on Oct. 21, 2013.
-The Philadelphia Police Department issues Policy 102 in January 2014, setting down guidelines for police interaction with trans individuals.
-A gay couple is beaten in Center City Sept. 11, 2014, and police later arrest Kevin Harrigan, Philip Williams and Kathryn Knott.
-Pennsylvania state Sen. Jim Ferlo comes out during an October 2014 rally for hate-crimes legislation, becoming the first out state senator.
-Philadelphia Director of LGBT Affairs Gloria Casarez dies Oct. 19, 2014. She was the first person to hold that title.
-The John C. Anderson Apartments — affordable LGBT-friendly housing for seniors — celebrates its opening Feb. 24, 2014.
-A record 19 states adopt same-sex marriage in 2014.
-The transgender Pride flag flies for the first time outside Philadelphia City Hall in June 2015.
-Philadelphia voters approve the permanent incorporation of the Office of LGBT Affairs into the city charter Nov. 3, 2015.