Often it has been the courts who have taken a lead rather than politicians. While there was always a gay underground, it was only in the late sixties that gay rights started to be promoted seriously following the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York and the election of Harvey Milk in San Francisco as America’s first out gay city politician.Įven if a few states still ban homosexuality in theory, almost everywhere across this huge country you will find gay oases and expressions of Pride – yes even in the more conservative states.

In a handful of states anti-gay sex laws remain though are rarely enforced. The Land of the Free has some of the largest and best gay friendly destinations in the world even though the laws on homosexuality are mixed across the country.