Dec. 1, 1988: the World Health Organization sponsors the first World AIDS Day. Dec. 9, 2004: Canada's Supreme Court says that the government can legally extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Dec. 15, 1973: the governing board of the American Psychiatric Association votes to recommend that homosexuality no longer be classified as a mental illness. Four months later, the association's full membership approves the recommendation by a vote of 58 percent to 42 percent.
Dec. 18, 1984: the New York Film Critics' Award for best documentary of 1984 goes to The Times of Harvey Milk.
From the Crawford Barton Collection (1993-11)
Dec. 28, 1986: conservative activist Terry Dolan dies of AIDS at age 38 in Washington, D.C.
Dec. 31, 1990: the Centers for Disease Control reports that the death toll from AIDS has just topped the 100,000 mark.
