All about the Mattachine Society, the first enduring U.S. gay rights group
The organization thrived from the 1950s into the 1970s.
January 1, 2026
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charles francis
Gerald Ford supported gays and the end of sodomy laws
In a 2003 letter obtained exclusively by The Advocate, the late president Gerald Ford (pictured) wrote to his friend and colleague Charles Francis that he supported the pro-gay side in the Texas case that ultimately led the U.S. Supreme Court to abolish sodomy laws nationwide.
December 27, 2006
What Have the New Catholic Cardinals Said About LGBT People?
A few of the pontiff's picks have made comments on LGBT issues in the past.
February 2, 2015
Archival Docs Illustrate Feds' 'Obsessive Effort' to Purge Gay Employees
While the federal government no longer discriminates against gay workers, it once went to great lengths to rid itself of them -- and a group is gathering historical materials related to that effort.
May 21, 2014
Mark Segal: Clout Builds Community
In this third excerpt from Mark Segal's memoir, And Then I Danced: Traveling the Road to LGBT Equality, the activist talks about the long road to build LGBT senior housing in his beloved Philadelphia.
November 19, 2015
Conservative school board candidates handed humiliating loss in St. Louis area
Out of 13 candidates endorsed by local right-wing radio talk show host Marc Cox, zero won their races this week.
April 3, 2024
7 Things List: June 19, 2015
Our entertainment and events highlights this week include Pride in the Windy City, the sweet sound of out singer Olly Alexander from Years & Years, and that star-studded video from her majesty -- Madonna.
June 19, 2015
Mayor to LGBT Catholics: 'Keep fighting for your rights'
Michael Nutter declared the visit by Pope Francis was 'completely successful' even though he was not able to deliver on a promise to personally press the pope on LGBT rights.
September 27, 2015
Anti-LGBTQ Archbishop Charles Chaput Fired in Philadelphia
Chaput, who has even questioned the existence of LGBTQ Catholics, will be replaced by a supposedly more liberal clergy member, Nelson Perez.
January 23, 2020
Pope Francis: Kids Must Have Moms and Dads
Pope Francis says children must be raised with 'the complementarity of the masculinity and femininity of a father and a mother.'
April 11, 2014
Antigay Bishop Says He Was Just Following Pope's Orders
Has Pope Francis for the first time stepped into a public policy debate about LGBT people?
December 30, 2013
In his heart, I believe Pope Francis was a much stronger LGBTQ+ ally than he appeared in public
Opinion: Conservatives will likely return to rule the Catholic Church, but one unguarded moment revealed that Francis had an open mind and heart, writes John Casey.
April 21, 2025
Philly Catholic Schools Ask Parents to Pledge Faithfulness
The archdiocese calls on parents to promise they'll uphold church doctrine — a potential problem for LGBT Catholics and allies.
September 17, 2015
Will Youth Synod Message's to LGBTQ Catholics Be One of Inclusion?
There have been mixed signals coming out of the bishops' meeting, which has entered its final week.
October 22, 2018
New D.C. Catholic archbishop is pro-LGBTQ+ and anti-Trump
Robert McElroy has made many statements supporting LGBTQ+ people and criticizing Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policies.
January 6, 2025
Philadelphia Catholic Parish Reneges on Hosting LGBT Events
LGBT groups planned events surrounding Pope Francis's visit in September, but now they'll have to move to another venue.
August 19, 2015
LGBT Catholics Welcome Pope to Philly
Queer Catholics, marriage equality supporters and allies gathered in the City of Brotherly Love, where the pope arrived Saturday for the last stop of his U.S. visit.
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September 26, 2015