Key LGBTQ+ Anniversaries to Remember in 2024
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As this year comes to a close, we look ahead to 2024 and the major LGBTQ+ anniversaries that will take place in the next 12 months. These anniversaries mark significant milestones in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, the establishment of influential organizations, and the recognition of same-sex marriages around the world. Join us as we delve into these key moments and reflect on their impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
10th Anniversary: Same-Sex Marriages in England and Wales
On March 29, 2014, same-sex marriages officially started in England and Wales under the 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act. This landmark legislation granted equal marriage rights to same-sex couples, allowing them to legally marry and receive the same rights and benefits as heterosexual couples. This momentous occasion marked a significant step forward in the fight for marriage equality in the UK.
Another milestone in 2014 was the first Bisexual Awareness Week, also known as Bi Week, which took place from September 16 to 23. This annual event celebrates bisexual identities and raises awareness about the stigma that bisexual individuals continue to face. It serves as a platform for education, visibility, and advocacy for the bisexual community.
Scotland caught up with England and Wales on December 16, 2014, by legalizing same-sex marriage. This move ensured that same-sex couples across the entire United Kingdom had the right to marry and have their relationships recognized by law.
20th Anniversary: First Legal Same-Sex Marriages in the United States
May 17, 2004, marked a historic moment in the United States when the first legal same-sex marriages took place in Massachusetts. Marcia Hams and Susan Shepherd became the first gay couple to be given a legal marriage license in the state. They reflected on the significance of this day, stating that it was “the beginning of that feeling that we could talk naturally about our relationship as heterosexual couples do and really have that mean something to the people that we were talking to.”
30th Anniversary: Founding of Leading LGBTQ+ Magazines
In April 1994, DIVA, the world’s leading magazine for queer women and non-binary people, published its first edition. Over the past 30 years, DIVA has been an agenda-setting publication, advocating for lesbian visibility and featuring influential cover stars such as Ellen DeGeneres, Samira Wiley, and Sarah Paulson. The magazine also founded Lesbian Visibility Week, an annual event dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about lesbian identities.
May 1994 saw the first issue of Attitude, a gay men’s magazine that quickly became a prominent voice in the LGBTQ+ community. Attitude has featured numerous famous faces on its cover, including Boy George, Madonna, Tony Blair, and even Prince William – the first British royal to front a gay publication.
40th Anniversary: Establishment of Gay Times and Michel Foucault’s Legacy
In April 1984, Gay Times, a renowned gay media brand, was established with the publication of its first edition. Throughout its 40-year history, Gay Times has featured notable cover stars such as singer Arlo Parks, Cabaret star Liza Minnelli, and Graham Norton. The magazine has been a vital platform for LGBTQ+ voices and stories.
On June 25, 1984, famed French philosopher Michel Foucault passed away from an AIDS-related illness in Paris. Foucault’s ideas about knowledge and power, sexuality and subjectivity deeply influenced various fields and are still widely cited today. His work continues to shape critical discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ issues.
50th Anniversary: LGBT+ Switchboard and Kathy Kozachenko’s Historic Election
On March 4, 1974, LGBT+ Switchboard opened its lines to the queer community for the first time. This vital charity has provided support to countless individuals, offering guidance on coming out, finding safe spaces, seeking health support, and reporting hate crimes. Over its 50-year existence, LGBT+ Switchboard has played a crucial role in connecting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community.
April 2, 1974, marked another significant milestone as Kathy Kozachenko became the first openly gay person to successfully run for office. At just 21 years old, she was elected to the Ann Arbor City Council in Michigan on the Human Rights Party ticket. While Harvey Milk is often credited as the first out elected official, Kozachenko’s groundbreaking achievement deserves recognition.
100th Anniversary: The Society for Human Rights
On December 24, 1924, the state of Illinois granted the charter for a non-profit organization called the Society for Human Rights. This marked the establishment of the first gay rights organization in the United States. Despite its short lifespan and subsequent dissolution due to arrests of its members, the Society for Human Rights laid the groundwork for the gay rights movement that would follow
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