History
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)
Tribal Message could not be actualized without the following events and trailblazers, people who have dared to step out and demand equal rights! We feel that this is merely a recognition, but in no way truly describes the journey that all of these incredible, courageous people have brought us to today.
There is still work to be done by each and every one of us to ensure that LGBTQ+ kids and adults alike do not suffer from the ignorance that still exists today.
1912: Emma Goldman
Emma Goldman, a woman and human activist, in 1912 she publicly spoke out in favor of Homosexual/Lesbian Rights. This was unheard of at the time!
1924: Henry Gerber
Henry Gerber, In Chicago, 1924 he founded the first Homosexual Rights organization in America, known as the Society for Human Rights.
1950: Harry Hay
Harry Hay, In 1950 he founded the first sustained American Homosexual group known as The Mattachine Society. Harry is considered by many as the founder of the Gay Rights Movement.
1952: Christine Jorgensen
Christine Jorgensen, was the first widely publicized person to undergo sex reassignment surgery. She spoke up and told her story to spite the ridicule.
1955: Daughters of Bilitis
Daughters of Bilitis was founded in San Francisco in 1955. This pioneering effort was the first Lesbian civil and political rights organization.
1958: First Amendment
A ruling in 1958 by the Supreme Court that the first Amendment provides the right for gay and lesbian magazines to be published and sold.
1966: National Transsexual Counseling Unit
The world’s first transgender organization, The National Transsexual Counseling Unit, was established in San Francisco.
1969: Stonewall Riots
Stonewall Riots take place in Greenwich Village, NYC. This was the mark of a new beginning for the LGBT groups around the country. This was about equality and civil rights.
1970: Dr. Frank Kameny
Dr. Frank Kameny is the first openly gay candidate running for Congress in 1970.
1973: American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.
1977: Harvey Milk
Harvey Milk, an openly gay civil and human rights activist was elected in 1977 to San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors. Sponsors a Civil Rights bill that outlaws sexual orientation discrimination.
1980: Human Rights Campaign Fund
In 1980, The Human Rights Campaign Fund is formed by Steve Endean. It is the largest Civil Rights Organization working to achieve Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality.
1994: Philadelphia
The movie Philadelphia wins 2 Academy Awards, broadening people's perspective.
1995: Hate Crime Act
The Hate Crime Sentencing Enhancement Act, part of violent crime control, allows judge to impose harsher punishment if there is evidence showing a victim was selected because of the "actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability or sexual orientation of any person."
1996: Hawaii
Hawaii is the first state to recognize that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to the same privileges as heterosexual married couples.
1997: Ellen Degeneres
Ellen DeGeneres’ character ‘Ellen’ on her TV show, comes out on the show. This is the first Prime Time lead character to do so.
1997: Ellen on Time
Ellen DeGeneres comes out on Time Magazine’s Cover, “Yep I’m Gay.”
1998: Coretta Scott King
Martin Luther King Jr’s widow, Coretto Scott King, asks the Civil Rights Community to help extinguish homophopia.
1998: Matthew Shepard
Matthew Shepard is brutally killed near Laramie, Wyoming. His horrifying death brought discussions about hate and acceptance to the forefront. The Mathew Shepard Foundation was birthed with its efforts centered on providing a voice for LGBT youth.
2000: Vermont
Vermont becomes the first State to legalize Civil Unions between same sex couples.
2004: Massachusetts
The first legal same sex marriage in the United States occurs in Massachusetts.
2009: Hate Crimes Prevention Act
President Barack Obama signs the Mathew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law.
2011: The Military
“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is repealed, ending a ban on gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military.
2012: Barack Obama
President Barack Obama becomes the first US President to publicly support efforts for LGBT couples to marry.
2012: Democratic Party
The Democratic Party becomes the first major US political party in history to publicly support same sex marriage, this was announced at the Democratic Convention.
2015: Supreme Court
The US Supreme Court rules that states cannot ban same sex marriages in a 5-4 ruling.
2015: Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts of America removes the national restriction on openly gay leaders and employees.
2016: National Monument
President Barack Obama announces the designation of the 1st National Monument to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Rights. “Our National Parks should reflect the full story of our country, the richness and diversity and uniquely American Spirit that has always defined us. That we are stronger together. That out of many, WE ARE ONE.”