December 15, 1973
On this date in 1973, the American Psychiatric Association’s Board of Trustees voted 13 to 0 to remove homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.
December 16, 1988
On this date in 1988, disco superstar Sylvester died of AIDS-related complications in his Castro home on Collingwood Avenue.
December 21, 1993
On this date in 1993, the Department of Defense formally issued Directive 1304.26, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, while barring openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from military service. Although the policy was initially presented as allowing LGB service members to go to gay bars or engage in other gay activities off duty, it was implemented to prevent any expression of homosexuality, even in private mail or conversations. The “Don’t Ask” provisions were largely ignored while the “Don’t Tell” provisions were interpreted overly broadly. DADT was formally implemented on February 28, 1994.
