Army service in World War I, Gerber was inspired to create his organization by the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, a “homosexual emancipation” group in Germany.Īt the end of the year, Jennings formed another organization called One, Inc., which welcomed women and published ONE, the country’s first pro-gay magazine. In 1924, Henry Gerber, a German immigrant, founded in Chicago the Society for Human Rights, the first documented gay rights organization in the United States. But it has been a long and bumpy road for gay rights proponents, who are still advocating for employment, housing and transgender rights.Įxplore more of the history of the LGBTQ movement in America here. And same-sex couples can now legally get married and adopt children in all 50 states. Laws prohibiting homosexual activity have been struck down lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals can now serve openly in the military. The gay rights movement in the United States has seen huge progress in the last century, and especially the last two decades.