The emergence of LGBTQ+ movements can be traced back to the late nineteenth century when it was mostly known as homosexuality.
The earliest known record of organized efforts towards gay rights is attributed to Karl Heinrich Ulrichs who published a book in the year 1864 advocating for same-sex love. This was followed by several activists such as Edward Carpenter, Magnus Hirschfeld, Harry Hay, and others who spearheaded similar campaigns in various parts of the world including Germany, England, France, Italy, New York City, San Francisco, and Mexico City among others. In the early twentieth century, many countries adopted anti-gay laws that criminalized homosexuality. These laws were used by authoritarian regimes to suppress, harass, and discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, queer or questioning people (LGBTQ+) in their daily life experiences. The activists faced numerous challenges during this time which made them develop strategies to maintain resilience, advocacy, and collective organization under authoritarian regimes.
They had to form alliances and coalitions with other minorities groups like African Americans, women's liberation movement, civil right leaders, labor unions, and human right defenders. They also developed networks of support through social clubs, organizations, churches, bars, and even underground brothels where they could meet and discuss their issues freely.
They used literature to express their concerns and raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues. Notably, Oscar Wilde wrote Salome in 1907 and Radclyffe Hall penned The Well of Loneliness in 1928 both of which were censored but widely read.
The LGBTQ+ movements used mass media platforms such as newspapers, magazines, films, radio shows, and television programs to reach out to a larger audience.
The LGBTQ+ community adopted various strategies to fight back against authoritarian regimes. They engaged in public protests, demonstrations, marches, strikes, boycotts, and riots aimed at drawing attention to their plight. Some of these actions led to arrests, imprisonment, and torture.
Others succeeded in winning small victories that contributed towards the eventual legalization of homosexuality in some parts of the world. In addition, activists formed safe spaces such as gay pride parades, festivals, and political rallies where they could gather and share their experiences without fear of arrest or harassment. They also lobbied for laws that protected gays from discrimination and hate crimes.
In the United States, Stonewall Inn riot in New York City in 1969 sparked nationwide resistance against police brutality and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. This led to the formation of organizations like Gay Liberation Front, Gay Activist Alliance, and Gay Men's Health Crisis among others that fought for gay rights through direct action campaigns.
Early LGBTQ+ activists faced numerous challenges while fighting for equality under oppressive regimes. They had to develop resilience by forming networks of support, using literature to express themselves, engaging in mass media platforms, and adopting non-violent forms of resistance. Despite the setbacks, they managed to win small victories that paved way for future generations of activists who pursued similar goals.