These Photos Show How Far The Gay Rights Movement Has Come

“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.” —Harvey Milk

1. Picketing of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, 1967

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Demonstrators carry signs calling for the protection of homosexuals from discrimination as they march in a picket line in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, July 4, 1967.

2. First mass rally in support of gay rights, 1969

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One month after the demonstrations and conflict at the Stonewall Inn, a group of approximately 200 people march along West Fourth Street (seen here at Grove and Sherdan Square) in the first mass rally in support of gay rights, New York City, July 27, 1969.

3. Gay Liberation Front marches on Times Square, New York City, 1969

New York Public Library

Students and supporters demonstrate at NYU's Weinstein Hall (which they also occupied) for the rights of gay people on campus.

4. Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day parade, 1970

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A supporter of gay rights holds a sign reading "I am your worst fear, I am your best fantasy."

5. The Lavender Menace at the Second Congress to Unite Women, New York, 1970

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A group of lesbian radical feminists formed the Lavender Menace to protest the exclusion of lesbian issues at the Second Congress to Unite Women in New York City on May 1, 1970.

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Three members of Lavender Menace at the Second Congress to Unite Women, New York, 1970.

6. Gays for Peace march, Bryant Park, New York City, 1970

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7. "America Grow Up": Protest on the steps of New York City Hall, 1970

Eddie Adams / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Demonstrators call for an end to discrimination and what they feel are repressive laws in front of New York City Hall, June 10, 1970, New York.

8. Gay Liberation Front meeting at Washington Square Methodist Church, New York, 1970

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9. Gay "Be-In," Central Park, New York, June 28, 1970

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10. Gay rights demonstration in Albany, New York, 1971

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An affectionate couple marches with roses in a gay rights demonstration in Albany, New York, 1971.

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11. Christopher Street Liberation Day march, 1971

New York Public Library

New York Public Library

12. Demonstration at New York City Hall in support of gay rights bill "Intro 475," 1973

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13. Representative of Gay Activists Alliance of New Jersey at "Hold Hands" demonstration, 1973

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14. Lesbian Feminist Liberation march, New York City, 1977

Carlos Rene Perez / AP

Activists parade up Sixth Avenue in a protest march for gay rights. The activists said they would step up their campaign for a New York City ordinance guaranteeing homosexuals their civil rights.

15. New Orleans protest for gay rights, 1977

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Gay rights demonstrators march through the French Quarter on their way to the concert hall at which singer Anita Bryant was performing in New Orleans, June 18, 1977.

16. Supreme Court sit-in, 1987

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Police arrest a member of a gay activist group that was demonstrating and attempting to block the entrance to the Supreme Court, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1987, Washington, D.C. Several hundred took part in the protest.

J. Scott Applewhite / ASSOCIATED PRESS

17. Sit-in and protest in the lobby of Chicago's City Hall, 1989

Mark Elias / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chicago police officers lift Daniel Sotomayor, a member of the gay and lesbian community, by his neck as they break up a sit-in and protest in the lobby of Chicago City Hall, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 1989. About 20 gay and lesbian rights activists were arrested during the protest. They were protesting Chicago's record on issues affecting gays and lesbians.

18. Protest wedding ceremony in front of the IRS headquarters, 1993

Reuters

Gay couples hug during mass wedding ceremony in front of IRS headquarters in downtown Washington. The ceremony was held to protest government regulations prohibiting same sex marriage.

19. More than 1 million people march in Washington, D.C., 1993

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More than 1 million people gather on the Mall in Washington to march for lesbian and gay rights.

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20. Pride march to Central Park, 1994

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Crowds gather for a rally on the Great Lawn in New York's Central Park, June 26, 1994, following a march up First and Fifth Avenues toward the rally.

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21. 25th Annual San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade, 1995

John G. Mabanglo / AFP / Getty Images

A marcher tries to resist an arrest from the San Francisco Police after she allegedly tried to throw an egg at a group of right wing anti-gay protestors during the 25th Annual San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade, June 18, 1995. San Francisco police estimated some 400,000 people turned out for the march.

22. U.S. Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all 50 states, June 26, 2015

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Same-sex marriage supporters rejoice after the U.S Supreme Court hands down a ruling regarding same-sex marriage outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The high court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all 50 states.