Timeline: African American LGBTQ+ U.S. History, 1912-2009

In light of the BlackLivesMatter movement, OutHistory presents a timeline chronicling the distinct and important history of LGBTQ people in African American communities. Our aim is to create a representation of black queer and trans history that pays attention to the many conversations about what sexuality and gender have meant in African American communities across time. First published on OutHistory in 2016; updated in 2024.

African American LGBTQ+ U.S. Timeline: 1912-2009

Use this link to access the African American LGBTQ Timeline Bibliography. See also Timeline: African American LGBTQ+ U.S. History, 1646-2020 and Queering African American History: A Bibliography, by Kevin J. Mumford.

Our aim is to create a thorough representation of queer history that pays attention to the many conversations about what sexuality and gender have meant in various communities across time.