April


● 2007.04 — United Methodist minister, Rev. Frank Schaefer officiates his son’s same-sex wedding in Massachusetts. He is defrocked December 19th 2013, after a complaint is filed of the incident by a member of Schaefer’s congregation. But then on June 24th 2014, The United Methodist Church restores his credentials.
● 2014.04 — Dan Haseltine, leader of the Christian band Jars of Clay comes out in favor of marriage equality, resulting in angry reactions from many of their fans, and their tracks being dropped from many Christian radio stations’ playlists.
● 1971.04.01 — French newspaper Tout calls for complete sexual liberation in France. Police seize the publication calling it an “outrage to public morals.”
● 1966.04.07 — The first “Gay Community Center” is opened in the United States. It is located in the city of San Francisco.
● 1974.04.08 — The American Psychiatric Association removes its “sickness” definition of homosexuality.
● 1424.04.09 — Bernardino of Siena preached for three days in Florence, Italy against homosexuality and other forms of lust, culminating in a pyre in which burned cosmetics, wigs and all sorts of articles for the beautification. He calls for sodomites to be ostracized from society, and these sermons alongside measures by other clergy of the time strengthens opinion against homosexuals and encourages the authorities to increase the measures of persecution.
● 2012.04.10 — In spite of overwhelming support from parents, Den Mother of Tiger Cub Scout Pack 109, Jennifer Tyrrell is removed from her post by the Boy Scouts of America for being a lesbian.
● 2014.04.10 — The Family Foundation asks that others join them for “40 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance for Marriage” from August 27 until October 5, 2014. They blame “Pagan philosophies, a secular humanist education establishment and an entertainment industry that is absolutely determined in pushing the envelope on decency and morality...”
● 1969.04.12 — The Council for Christian Social Action of the United Church of Christ adopted the “Resolution on Homosexuals and the Law.”
● 1061.04.16 — A same-sex marriage between the two men Pedro Díaz and Muño Vandilaz in the Galician municipality of Rairiz de Veiga in Spain occurs. They are married by a priest at a small chapel. The historic documents about the church wedding were found at Monastery of San Salvador de Celanova.
● 2001.04.16 — Steven Spielberg steps down from an advisory board of the Boy Scouts of America, citing the organization’s discriminatory practices in regards to religious belief and sexual orientation.
● 1967.04.19 — The Student Homophile League of Columbia University becomes the first gay group to obtain a campus charter.
● 2005.04.21 — In its home state of Washington, the Microsoft Corporation withdraws support for H.B. 1515, after pressure from local Pastor Ken Hutcherson. The bill would have made it illegal to fire an employee based on sexual orientation. Hutcherson threatened the company with a nationwide boycott.
● 1990.04.23 — The Hate Crimes Statistic Act is signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. It is the first U.S. bill to use the phrase “sexual orientation.”
● 1993.04.24 — MCC Reverend Troy Perry joins 1,500 lesbian and gay couples in a mass marriage at the IRS building in Washington, D.C.
● 2015.04.24 — Bruce Jenner comes out as a transgender woman.
● 1953.04.27 — President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs Executive Order 10450, mandating the dismissal of all federal employees determined to be guilty of “sexual perversion.” As a result, more than 640 federal employees lose their jobs over the next year and a half.
● 1972.04.30 — Rev. William R. Johnson becomes the first openly gay minister to be ordained in the United Church of Christ.
● 1997.04.30 — Ellen DeGeneres’ character Ellen Morgan comes out on her television show during “The Puppy Episode.” An estimated 42 million viewers watch.