January 1 – National
“Ithaca Statement on Bisexuality,” by the Quaker Committee of Friends on Bisexuality, is published in “The Advocate“
November 14 - National
Unitarian Universalists create the Invisible Minority adult education curriculum about homosexuality.
February 1 - National
Larry Townsend publishes “The Leatherman's Handbook” which was the first book to publicize BDSM to the general public.
Sal Mineo
June 1 - National
Laud Humphreys publishes “Out of the closets; the sociology of homosexual liberation”
January 1 – National
David Lochary had a role in “Pink Flamingos”
January 1 – Washington D.C.
Federal Title IX is passed and stipulates that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” This legislation leads to unprecedented opportunities for girls to participate in sports from elementary school through colleges and universities.
September 1 - Kansas
A mother of an LGBT youth started speaking out in Topeka which lead to the formation of the PFLAG Topeka chapter of the national organization.
President Richard Nixon
January 1 – National
Delaware becomes the sixth state in the nation to repeal its “sodomy” law and defines the age of consent as 16. Also, whipping is abolished as a legal punishment in Delaware, the last public whipping having occurred as late as 1952.
November 1 - National
Peter Tuesday Hughes a mystery science fiction author publishes “Spin the Boy Down”
January 1 – Michigan
Picketers accuse Ann Arbor's Flame Bar of excluding drag queens.
June 23 - Georgia
First meeting of the Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance (ALFA), a major force in the local lesbian community for the next two decades.
May 1 - Colorado
American Baptists Concerned, a pro-gay Baptist group, forms at the national American Baptist convention in Denver, Colorado out of efforts of gay and lesbian Baptists to be recognized.
July 10 - Washington D.C.
The Democratic Party’s convention marks the first time a U.S. national political convention is addressed by gay leaders.
January 14 - Kansas
When Lawrence Gay Liberation v. The University of Kansas reaches the Topeka District Court, Judge George Templar refuses to let Kunstler--who is not licensed to practice law in Kansas--speak in court. Lawrence attorney Jack Klinknett argues for the group instead; GLF loses its case.
January 1 – National
Sal Mineo a Hollywood actor came out as Bisexual in an interview. He had been in and out of relationships with men and women but hadn’t to this point discussed publicly. He would later accept a role as a Bisexual burglar in a series of stage performances of the comedy P.S. Your Cat Is Dead in San Francisco
June 1 - National
The United Church of Christ becomes the first mainline Christian denomination to ordain an openly gay man as a minister.
February 1 - New York
Covenant House was founded with the mission to help homeless LGBT kids escape the streets. Today we are the largest privately funded charity in the Americas providing loving care and vital services to homeless, abandoned, abused, trafficked, and exploited youth. Covenant House would soon expand to support North and South American youth.
January 1 – National
Bob Thibeault opens Club Gallery in Providence, a gay nightclub that also drew straight clientele. In the ’60s, he brought a club to Smithfield and broke a taboo against same-sex dancing.
January 1 – Oregon
The Gay Women's Caucus and the Women’s Health Clinic are founded.
March 1 - Utah
Gay Liberation organizes a protest in Utah.
State equality and discrimination bills
January 1 – National
Larry Mitchell published “Great Gay in the Morning”
United States LGBT History for 1972
Sam Massell
March 1 - Oregon
Peggy Burton, a teacher at Cascade Union High School in Turner, Oregon, files suit in U.S. District Court to regain her job after the school board fires her in 1971 for being a lesbian.
January 1 – Oregon
At its preprimary convention in Klamath Falls, the Democratic Party of Oregon adopts into its platform a gay civil right plank written by George T. Nicola, a gay activist working primarily through the Second Foundation. The plank calls for legislation that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and marital status. At that time, non-discrimination based on gender identity is thought to be covered by existing statutes that banned discrimination based on sex (gender). The Gay Women's Caucus and the Women’s Health Clinic are founded.
January 1 – Pennsylvania
Mark Segal after being thrown out of dance competition for dancing with a male lover, Segal crashed the evening news broadcast of WPVI-TV, an act that became known as a "zap" and that he helped popularize.
January 1 – National
“The Corner Bar” ABC. This short-lived ABC sitcom revolved around patrons of Grant’s Toomb, including flamboyant set designer Peter Panama, played by Vincent Schiavelli (above, upper right).
April 4 - California
The first gay temple, Beth Chayim Chadashim (House of New Life), opens in Los Angeles. They are initially housed within the Metropolitan Community Church and later relocate to 10345 West Pico Boulevard.
July 1 - California
Bill Beasley, a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, was the core organizer of first Los Angeles Gay Pride March and active with the Gay Liberation Front.
January 1 – Michigan
Lt. Gov. James Brickley endorses the repeal of laws against private homosexual activity.
Governor James Brickley
January 1 – Georgia
Atlanta mayor Sam Massell appoints Charles St. John to the city’s Community Relations Commission, the first appointment by a city official of a spokesperson for local gay and lesbian communities.
January 1 – National
Dale Jennings publishes his novel that is later turned into a movie “The Cowboys” the novel was criticized for its homoeroticism.
February 1 - New York
National Bisexual Liberation Group forms in New York. Soon after formation they started The Bisexual Expression newsletter.
January 1 - Oregon
First Portland Gay Community Center opened by Second Foundation above the Other Inn Tavern, 258 SW Alder St. Financial woes close doors after 6 months. Dahl & Penne's Tavern (founded 1898) becomes center of gay culture in Portland for 10.5 years.
January 1 – National
Baker vs Nelson - After the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the state was allowed to ban same- sex marriage, the plaintiff, Richard Baker, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a one-sentence order, the case was dismissed because of its lack of a "substantial federal question.
January 1 – National
Colorado becomes the third state in the nation to repeal sodomy laws. The Gay Coalition of Denver, the city’s first gay liberation group, is founded in an apartment by five members.“
Copyright © Proud Scholars 2023.