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The change that has taken place in the United States since the 1950s around LGBTQ issues has been enormous. From criminalization, religious condemnation, psychiatric illness diagnosis and the need to live completely “in the closet,” we have moved to a time of visibility, decriminalization, marriage equality and much more. Join us for an overview of the activism that has propelled change since the 1950s, while also acknowledging the work that remains to be done.

Professor, historian, and author, John D'Emilio's research interests include gay and lesbian studies; the history of sexuality; social movements; and U.S. history after 1945. He is the author of more than half a dozen books including Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America, and Queer Legacies: Stories from Chicago's LGBTQ Archives. D'Emilio has also served on the board of directors of the Gerber/Hart Library in Chicago, a community-based library, archives, and cultural center devoted to preserving and making accessible the history of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

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