LGBT Rights

The Stonewall riots were a series of demonstrations by members of the LGBT community against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28th, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn. This tavern, which was frequented by gay men, was located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The riots continued until July 3rd, 1969.

These events marked the first time that gays and lesbians as a group forcefully and vocally asserted their rights to equality under the law. Until then, LGBT people had mostly been harassed, penalized and discriminated against. Therefore, the Stonewall riots are considered as the single most important event that led to the modern movements for LGBT civil rights, which in many countries −mostly in Europe and America− have already achieved equality on topics like marriage and unions, adoption, military service, and anti-discrimination based on sexual orientation.

This historical rebellion is commemorated annually during the month of June in thousands of parades and festivals around the world collectively known as LGBT Pride, which is a positive stance against discrimination, shame, social stigma and violence against LGBT people. Those negative attitudes are still faced by some people, especially in countries in Africa and Asia, ranging from restricted freedom of expression through penalties, including imprisonment and death.

While I was writing this article, on June 26th, 2015, same-sex marriage was effectively legalized in the United States following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. Prior to this, there were already 38 states in which same-sex marriage was legal at least to some degree. In this way, the United States joins a list of countries in which same-sex marriage is performed. 

Although not performed, Israel, Malta, and Mexico recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad. Indeed, some Mexican states −Campeche*, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Guerrero*, Jalisco*, Nayarit*, Quintana Roo, and Mexico City− have already legalized same-sex marriages and it looks like the country might be the next to join the list. In the United Kingdom, though, Northern Ireland treats same-sex marriages as civil partnerships so far.

UPDATE (06/08/2016):

I have to add Colombia and Greenland to the list of countries in which same-sex marriages are legal. Keep them coming!!! =)

*added after the article was published