The Sixties (1960 – 1969 CE)

1960

Frank Kameny’s appeals about his firing under the Lavender Scare reach the Supreme Court. The Court decides against Kameny.

Kurt Hiller tries unsuccessfully to restart the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee.
Jackie Shane moves to Toronto and becomes an instant legend in the developing R&B scene. Her first recordings are published — including “Any Other Way.”
Craig Rodwell begins dating Harvey Milk.

The shared tomb of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum is discovered by Egyptologist Ahmed Moussa.
As part of the Florida Lavender Scare, the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee publishes the “Purple Pamphlet”.
Marsha P. Johnson graduates high school and moves to New York City.
Craig Rodwell moves back to New York City after traveling for a couple of years and begins volunteering with the Mattachine Society.
Dante Gill turns to a full time career in crime.
September 19: Craig Rodwell and several other activists stage a protest against the military’s exclusion of homosexual people.
October 18: Pope Paul VI officially saints the Uganda Martyrs.

Bob Dylan mentions Ma Rainey in his song “Tombstone Blues” — placing her alongside Beethoven.
Jackie Shane performs “Walking the Dog” on Night Train.
Dung Hà is born.
The Florida Legislative Investigation Committee is disbanded due to controversy over the Purple Pamphlet, ending their Lavender Scare.
April 17 & 18: 40 LGBTQ+ activists protest in Washington D.C. in regards to Cuba’s policies on homosexuality. It is — at the time — the largest organized LGBT protest in history. Other activists in New York City, led by Craig Rodwell, stage a simultaneous protest.
April 25: A Dewey’s Lunch Counter in Philadelphia refuses to serve LGBTQ+ people — denying service to 150 people in just one day. This sparks a sit-in protest.
May 2: A second sit-in protest occurs at Dewey’s Lunch Counter.
July 4: The first of the Annual Reminders is held in Philadelphia.

April 21: Craig Rodwell and John Timmons lead a sip-in protest at Julian’s.
July 4: The second Annual Reminder is held in Philadelphia.
August: Police attempt to arrest peaceful protesters outside Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco. The protest turns into a riot.
November: The Black Cat Tavern is established.

Jackie Shane re-releases “Any Other Way.”
January 1: The Black Cat Tavern is raided by police — the patrons riot.
February 11: The LBTQ+ communiy of L.A. stages simultaneous protests across the city in response to the Black Cat raid.
March 17: Danny Garvin is discharged from the Navy.
July 4: The third Annual Reminder is held in Philadelphia.
November: Craig Rodwell opens the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop and founds the Homophile Youth Movement in Neighborhoods (HYMN).

Canada decriminalizes homosexuality.
Jackie Shane released “Cruel Cruel World” — her last single.
Rose Cleveland‘s letters to Evangeline Whipple are donated to the Minnesota Historical Society.
June 28: The Stonewall Riots. Police raid the Stonewall Inn — the patrons resist, sparking a multi-night riot on Christopher Street in New York City.
July 4: The final Annual Reminder is held in Philadelphia.