YMCA and LGBTQ+ History Timeline
The YMCA takes pride in being an inclusive organization, embracing its commitment to being, “For All.” To effectively champion this commitment, the YMCA embraces diversity, welcoming individuals of all ages, cultures, faiths, gender identities, abilities, ideologies, socioeconomic backgrounds, nationalities, and sexual orientations.
As the LGBTQ+ community evolved and gained more representation over time, the YMCA adapted to provide better support for this marginalized group, as illustrated in the timeline below. Through continual actions and progress, the LGBTQ+ community within the YMCA has found increasing comfort and security in expressing their authentic selves, thanks in large part to the LGBTQ+ allies and trailblazers who have been a part of the YMCA movement for decades.
Scroll through the timeline below to view significant moments in the LGBTQ+’s journey to inclusion. Items highlighted in pink illustrate milestones that occurred within the Y movement.
History
1950: Mattachine Society is Formed
Founded by activist Harry Hay, the Mattachine Society emerges as one of the earliest enduring gay rights organizations in the United States. The Society concentrates its efforts on advocating for social acceptance and providing support for homosexuals.
1960s: National Council of YMCA’s Form Committee to Study Homosexuality
The National Council of YMCAs formed a committee to study homosexuality across its branches. The report, ahead of its time, promoted respectful treatment and societal acceptance of homosexuals. Despite its progressive content, discomfort among some YMCA leaders led to its shelving and the committee’s disbandment. Yet, in the early 1970s, amidst YMCA community protests for gay rights, interest in the report revived.
1969: Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall Riots, or Uprising, began on June 28, 1969, with a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender woman, played a crucial role in rousing the crowd and resisting the police on the initial night of the uprising. This led to a riot involving patrons and locals, as police forcefully cleared the establishment. Over the next six days, protests and clashes with law enforcement erupted on Christopher Street and in Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots became a turning point, fueling the gay rights movement in the US and worldwide.
1998: Executive Order Prevents Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
Executive Order 13087 prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, this protection did not extend to the military.
1999: Y-USA Diversity Initiative is Formed
The Urban Group of YMCAs (the largest YMCAs in the Movement) came together and funded Y-USA’s Diversity Initiative providing resources to staff a department to provide education, training, and resources to the Y Movement.
2004: The First Trans March
The inaugural transgender pride march in San Francisco occurred on June 25, 2004. Organized by the Transgender GenderVariant Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), the event sought to raise awareness of transgender issues and honor the community.
2008: GLBT Employee Resource Group Officially Recognized by Y-USA
The GLBT Employee Resource Group was officially recognized as a Y-USA Affinity Group (now Employee Resource Group), which was a huge step forward since the request was initially turned down in 2006. The steering committee grew to 18-members and met in Chicago that year to begin officially formalizing its mission, purpose and vision.
2010: First Strategic Plan Created to Advance GLBT Inclusion and Hosts Friends of Dorothy Party
- Advocate for GLBT equal treatment and inclusive YMCA policies and practices
- Expand the network of GLBT staff and allies
- Build the infrastructure to advance the work of the affinity group
The GLBT Affinity Group hosts a “Friends of Dorothy” party at Club Jam in Salt Lake City, UT during the General Assembly of YMCAs.
2011: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repealed
The military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prohibited gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members from openly disclosing their sexual orientation, was fully repealed after 17 years in effect.
2012: YMCA of the USA writes letter, “A Place for Everyone,” as A show of Support for LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
To support the newly found LGBTQ+ affinity group, Neil Nicol, CEO of the YMCA of the USA penned an open letter titled “A Place for Everyone.”
2013: APA Updates Transgender Classification
The American Psychiatric Association revises its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, substituting the stigmatized term “gender identity disorder” with “gender dysphoria” to categorize transgender individuals.
2013: National Steering Committee Changes Name from GLBT to LGBTQ+
The national steering committee began to embrace renaming the affinity group from GLBT to LGBT and eventually LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG).
2014: The LGBTQ+ ERG Creates Training Titled “Building Relationships: Strengthening Inclusion—Engaging LGBTQI Communities.
This is in in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Seattle.
2015: United States Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
The US Supreme Court invalidates all state bans on same-sex marriage, thereby legalizing such unions across all 50 states.
2016: UCSF Releases Gold Standard Guidelines of Trans Healthcare
The Center of Excellence for Transgender Health at UCSF compiles and publishes healthcare guidelines specifically tailored for transgender individuals. These guidelines have become the most commonly cited reference among healthcare professionals and within academia.
2016: The LGBTQ+ ERG Collaborates with Y-USA to create a series of transgender inclusion resources for the movement.
2017: Reversal of Transgender Protections
Half a decade following the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s decision to classify transgender individuals as a protected minority group under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Department of Justice overturns this ruling. Consequently, transgender individuals face increased susceptibility to employment discrimination.
2017: Y-USA Adopts Inclusion Statement Welcoming People of All Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities
The World Alliance of YMCAs adopted an inclusion statement welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The YMCA of the USA followed suit, emphasizing diversity and inclusion as core values to its Mission.
2019: Y-USA Launches an Inclusion and Equity Survey Assessment Funded through Biden Foundation Grant
LGBTQ+ ERG steering committee participated in the Human Rights Campaign’s Time to Thrive Conference that supports LGBTQ+ teens. Y-USA was a presenting sponsor.
2020: US Supreme Court Ruling Expands Protections for LGBTQ Employees
In a landmark ruling, the US Supreme Court determined that the protections of the 1964 Civil Rights Act extend to cover gay, lesbian, and transgender employees, safeguarding them from discrimination.
2021: The LGBTQ+ ERG Hosts It’s First Pride Happy Hour for the Movement.
More than 20+ participants attended.
2022: Respect for Marriage Act
The legislation introduces new federal protections for both same-sex and interracial couples. This new law formally invalidates the Defense of Marriage Act, which previously restricted marriage to being between a man and a woman. Additionally, it requires states to recognize the legitimacy of marriage licenses obtained out of state, encompassing both same-sex and interracial unions.
2024: National LGBTQ+ ERG Change Vision Statement to Include Focus on Importance of Intersectionality
The YMCA LGBTQ+ National Steering Committee is a dedicated coalition of LGBTQIA2S+ YMCA professionals and volunteers. We recognize the importance of intersectionality, encompassing race, gender, class, ability, and other identities.
Read More:
Learn More from YUSA Read Becky’s Blog
References:
- “1969 Stonewall Riots – Origins, Timeline & Leaders.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, 23 June 2023, www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/the-stonewall-riots.
- “The First Gay Pride Parades.” CNN, Cable News Network, 16 June 2016, www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/us/gallery/tbt-first-pride-parades/index.html.
- Album, Photo, and Adriana Vazquez. “LGBTQ+ History Timeline.” Home, 1 Oct. 2019, gladstone.org/news/lgbtq-history-timeline.
- “LGBTQ Rights Milestones Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 21 May 2024, www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/lgbt-rights-milestones-fast-facts/index.html.
- LGBTQ History Timeline Reference, www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/LGBTQ-History-Timeline-References.pdf. Accessed 5 June 2024.
- “1969 Stonewall Riots – Origins, Timeline & Leaders.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, 23 June
Websites:
https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/the-stonewall-riots
https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/us/gallery/tbt-first-pride-parades/index.html
https://gladstone.org/news/lgbtq-history-timeline
https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/us/lgbt-rights-milestones-fast-facts/index.html
https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/LGBTQ-History-Timeline-References.pdf
