Asteroid named after Frank Kameny

LGBT civil rights hero Frank Kameny has been honored by having an asteroid named after him. 

"Frank E. Kameny (1925-2011) trained as a variable star astronomer in the 1950s, but joined the Civil Rights struggle. His contributions included removing homosexuality from being termed a mental disorder in 1973 and shepherding passage of the District of Columbia marriage equality law in 2009," read a citation announcing the asteroid's naming.

Frank Kameny: Not done yet

Among the dignitaries present at the signing of the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal law of 2010 was Frank Kameny (pictured shaking President Obama's hand), the 85-year old activist who was instrumental in building the modern LGBT rights movement. Kameny's work won't be complete until LGBT Americans win basic federal civil rights, including an employment nondiscrimination law, writes David Carter for CNN.

40 years later, Feds apologize for firing openly gay man

Pioneering activist Frank Kameny, who in 1957 was fired from his federal civil service job for being gay, has received an official apology from John Berry, the out director of the Office of Personnel Management, on behalf of the U.S. government.

"Please accept our apology for the consequences of the previous policy of the United States government," Berry writes in the letter.

Frank Kameny honored for a lifetime of activism

Pioneering LGBT-rights activist Frank Kameny, who helped organize the first gay-rights march in front of the White House and played an instrumental role in having homosexuality removed from the list of mental illnesses, will be recognized for his lifetime of activism during this year's Washington, D.C., pride festival.

"He's indomitable. There's no one else like him in the movement," said Dudley Clendinen, co-author of a book about the gay-rights movement in the U.S. "He doesn't relent. He doesn't really negotiate. ... The culture gradually came around to recognize what he early on insisted was fair and true."

Gay pioneers to lead March for Equality

Gay Pioneers Frank Kameny and Lilli Vincenz will lead the March for Equality at the National Equality Rally at Independence Hall on Sunday, May 3. Kameny and Vincenz were among the Gay Pioneers who organized the first gay and lesbian civil rights demonstrations. These demonstrations called “Annual Reminders” were held atIndependence Hall and the Liberty Bell each Fourth of July from 1965 to 1969. The Annual Reminders laid the groundwork for the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and the first New York Pride Parade in 1970.

“In the face of toxic homophobia, the Gay Pioneers heroically launched our movement. We are honored to have Gay Pioneers Frank Kameny and Lilli Vincenz lead the March for Equality on Independence Mall. They gave birth to the dream and within our lifetime that dream will be realized,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum.

Read more after the jump.


Kameny, known as the “father of the GLBT civil rights movement,” has been an activist for over 50 years. Kameny was the first openly gay candidate for Congress. He led the successful effort to remove a prohibition that precluded gays and lesbians from working for the federal government. Kameny and Gay Pioneer Barbara Gittings led the effort to have the American Psychiatric Association remove homosexuality from their list of mental illnesses.

Vincenz demonstrated at the Annual Reminders from 1965 to 1969. She was the only lesbian to participate in the first White House picket line in 1965 and was an officer of the Mattachine Society of Washington, one of the earliest gay organizations. Vincenz has been a GLBT civil rights activist, writer, and psychotherapist for over 40 years.

The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a First Amendment permit to Equality Forum for the National Equality Rally at Independence Hall on Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2009 at Independence National Historical Park

Kameny and Vincenz will lead organizations, grassroots activists and straight allies in the March for Equality on Independence Mall (from the National Constitution Center to Independence Hall) to rally for:

Passage of trans-inclusive hate crimes legislation and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Support for GLBT health issues
Equal benefits for same-sex families
Same-sex marriage Equality

Organization representatives will carry the name of their organization on pole-mounted placards. Movement leaders will carry Equality messages. Organization members and the public will be offered American and rainbow flags.

Information about the National Equality Rally and how to participate can be found at www.nationalequalityrally.org.