Oral Histories of LGBTQ+ Individuals

Oral histories are valuable sources of information because they provide a firsthand account of historical events, challenge traditional narratives and stereotypes, and offer insights into the personal and social lives of LGBTQ+ people.

The Stonewall Riots, which took place in New York City in 1969, marked a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and raised awareness about the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The Lavender Scare was a period in the United States during the 1950s when LGBTQ+ individuals were persecuted and discriminated against, particularly within the government.

Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera were all prominent activists during the Gay Liberation Front movement.

The Human Rights Campaign's main objective is to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equality, provide support and resources to LGBTQ+ individuals, and promote visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people.

Barney Frank was the first openly gay person elected to the United States Congress, serving from 1981 to 2013.

Tammy Baldwin was the first openly lesbian member of the United States Congress, serving since 2013.

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay mayor of a major American city, serving in San Francisco from 1978 until his assassination in 1978.

Danica Roem was the first openly transgender person elected to a state legislature in the United States, serving in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2018.

Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) was founded by Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera in 1970 to advocate for the rights of transgender people.

The LGBT Community Center of New York was the first LGBTQ+ community center in the United States, founded in 1983.

The Castro Camera Club was founded by Harvey Milk in 1972 to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ people in San Francisco.

The Advocate was the first LGBTQ+ magazine in the United States, founded in 1967.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was founded by David Bohnett in 1985 to promote fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ people in the media.

The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival was the first LGBTQ+ film festival in the United States, founded in 1977.