1985 in LGBT rights

Events

France prohibits discrimination based on lifestyle ("moeurs"), including homosexuality, in employment and services, public and private.

March

March 26 — The Supreme Court of the United States overturns a Oklahoma state law which banned gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools.

April

April 1 — Harvey Milk High School hold first classes in New York City
April 1 — Toney Anaya, governor of the U.S. state of New Mexico, issues an executive order banning public-sector sexual orientation discrimination.

May

May 12 — The first memorial to the Nazi's gay victims, a pink granite stone monument at the former Neuengamme concentration camp, inscribed "Dedicated to the Homosexual victims of National Socialism, 1985", is unveiled.
May 21 — The United States court of appeals strikes down Georgia's state sodomy laws as unconstitutional. The ruling is overturned the following year by the Supreme Court of the United States in the case Bowers v. Hardwick.

October

October 4 — First openly gay member of parliament elected in West Germany
October 8 — Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization is formed in Austin, Texas.
October 9 — New York City mayor Ed Koch asks the American Legion's Veterans Day parade to allow gay veterans to march. He is ignored.
October 21 — Dan White, assassin of Harvey Milk and San Francisco mayor George Moscone, commits suicide.

November

November 5 — San Francisco extends anti-discrimination protection to people with AIDS.
November 13 — Margaret Roff is elected mayor of Manchester, becoming the first openly gay mayor in the United Kingdom

December

December 24 — Booth Gardner, governor of the U.S. state of Washington, issues an executive order banning public-sector sexual orientation discrimination.