Making Pride Possible in 2025

Obergefell v. Hodges is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court which ruled, in 2015, that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. The 5–4 ruling requires all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Insular Areas under U.S. sovereignty to perform and recognize the marriages of same-sex couples on the same terms and conditions as the marriages of opposite-sex couples, with equal rights and responsibilities.

Marsha P. Johnson (August 24, 1945 – July 3, 1992) was an American gay liberation activist and self-identified drag queen. Known as an outspoken advocate for gay rights, she was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of 1969.

On October 2, 1999, California governor Gray Davis signed three gay rights bills into law. The first outlawed harassment of gay students and teachers in the state's public schools. The second creates a new statewide domestic partnership registry. The third outlaws job and housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Petaluma, California was incorporated in 1858. 164 years later Petaluma Pride held the city's first ever Pride Festival!

Sappho (c. 630 – c. 570 BCE) was a queer woman and poet in Ancient Greece from Eresos or Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. Sappho is known for her lyric poetry, written to be sung while accompanied by music. In ancient times, Sappho was widely regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets and was given names such as the "Tenth Muse" and "The Poetess".

According to LGBTQ+ Victory Institute's Out for America report, 1,303 elected officials in the US were openly queer or trans in 2024.

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