The LGBTQ community has significantly grown and influenced society in the United States. People that are a part of the community had to continue fighting and protesting for their political rights in history to reach this point in modern times.
The LGBTQ community has been around for centuries. Same sex relationships have been documented through ways such as art since ancient civilizations in Greece and Rome. Gender diversity also occurred during these historically ancient times.
Despite same sex relationships existing throughout the past, there was no long-lasting change or involvement by the government until the 1900s. The 1920s was a period that initiated a strong movement for the rights of LGBTQ members.
In the 20s, an organization advocating for gay rights marked the first documented foundation for the LGBTQ. This became a strong force to drive other people to form their own advocacy groups that supported their goals of being accepted in society.
The LGBTQ community including pioneers such as Magnus Hirschfwld. Hieshfwld is credited with starting one of the first organizations that advocated for gay rights. He founded the establishment of the Society for Human Rights.
Tessa Salinas (11) says, “I am proud to be a part of the LGBTQ. I think it is very crucial to support and accept members like me at school, work or other places so that we can just be ourselves and live life to the fullest’
Groups and organizations continually sought for their equal rights throughout the 20th century. Up until 1969, police officers raided a gay bar in New York known as the Stonewall Riots.
Although police mistreatment was a common occurrence for members of the LGBTQ, this raid sparked a fire in the LGBTQ movement. It is often considered the main source that propelled the movement forward.
Later in 1977, the first gay official in the United States was elected. His name was Harvey Milk and he set a precedent for more LGBTQ members to participate as representatives in political proceedings.
The 80s marked a drastically difficult time for homosexuals and queers. The LGBTQ community was being impacted devastatingly by AIDS which inspired more advocacy and awareness to be spread through protests and organizations.
Many LGBTQ people at this time turned to forms of art to express their emotions and mental state due to them having a socially unacceptable identity.
Forms of dance including vogue and waacking sprung from this movement. The LGBTQ has shaped the dance community greatly because these styles can almost be identified and multiple routines and choreography throughout the world.
Noelia Rodriguez Martinez (11) shares, “As a member of DA, we got to learn the historical background of our styles of dance. It gave me a profound understanding and gratitude towards the LGBTQ community because we’ve used at least waacking each year at competitions.”
By 2015, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the United States through Obergefell v. Hodges.
