1982-02-12The film Making Love opens

The movie Making Love opens. Directed by Arthur Hiller, a major Hollywood director, it was the first mainstream Hollywood film to treat the issue of being gay and coming out in a sympathetic fashion. It tells the story of a doctor who realizes he is gay, tells his wife, and eventually goes on to find a relationship with another gay man.

1982-02-25Anti-Discrimination Law in Wisconsin

Governor Lee Dreyfus of Wisconsin signs into law a bill that bans discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation. Originally introduced and sponsored by David Clarenbach, an openly gay member of the Wisconsin legislature, the law made Wisconsin the first state in the U.S. to ban discrimination against gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals.

1982-12-09San Francisco Mayor Vetoes First Domestic Partnership Law in U.S.

Responding to pressure from religious leaders in San Francisco, Mayor Diane Feinstein vetoes a bill passed by the city’s Board of Supervisors that would have extended to the domestic partners of city employees the same benefits received by the spouses of married employees. This was the first domestic partnership law passed by any legislative body in the United States.