Nowadays, members of the LGBT or lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community enjoy some societal advancements. The road to progress was not always easy though, particularly in the US.

Here are some milestones that signified how the world started to accept the LGBT community as equal members of society.

Raid At Stonewall

One night, police officers raid a bar in New York City called Stonewall Inn. The gay patrons experience abuse from the officers, which leads them to protest against inequality and to fight for gay rights. This started the famous Stonewall riots.

The First Pride Flag

In 1978, the first rainbow flag for the LGBT was created. It was made by Gilbert Baker as a symbol of unity and hope for the troubled community. The rainbow flag remains an icon in pride marches to this day.

Ellen DeGeneres

As a first in primetime television, comedian Ellen DeGeneres comes out as gay. She also landed on the cover of Time magazine with the headline “Yep, I’m Gay.” Many celebrities would come out in a similar fashion in the following years.

First Same-Sex Marriage

In 2004, the first legal same-sex marriage took place in Massachusetts. This milestone signified that the judicial system was slowly acknowledging LGBT rights. The other states, however, still had to follow suit.

Obama’s Support for LGBT

Barack Obama becomes the first president to support publicly the freedom of same-sex couples to marry. This meant that LGBT couples could get family law attorneys, be it in Albuquerque or New York.

Gay Boy Scouts

In 2015, the Boy Scouts of America announces that openly gay members can now serve as leaders and able employees of the group. This effectively removes the previous ban on the LGBT from serving in the said positions.

There are more LGBT milestones throughout history culminating in the legalization of same-sex marriage in the US. It is indeed a good time to be gay.