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LGBTQ+ Rights Movement

Definition

The LGBTQ+ Rights Movement refers to civil rights movements from mid-20th century onwards that advocates equal rights and protections for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer/questioning (LGBTQ).

Analogy

Imagine being left-handed in a world designed for right-handed people - doors, scissors, even writing can be challenging. The LGBTQ+ Rights Movement is about redesigning society so everyone has equal access regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Related terms

Stonewall Riots: A series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the gay community against a police raid that took place at Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.

Marriage Equality Act: Legislation allowing same-sex marriage nationwide across USA passed by Supreme Court on June 26th 2015.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT): A policy that prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, while barring openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from military service.