Commemorating Frank Kameny: 100th Birthday Celebration at the Supreme Court

On May 21, more than 100 individuals, alongside leaders from a dozen prominent national LGBTQ rights organizations, gathered in the heart of the nation's capital to honor the 100th birthday of Frank Kameny—a pivotal figure in the LGBTQ rights movement—on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court building.

Frank Kameny, who passed away on October 11, 2011, was an influential leader in the fight for LGBTQ rights and is recognized as a foundational figure in the modern LGBTQ rights movement. His legacy includes becoming the first openly gay individual to petition the U.S. Supreme Court in a case related to gay rights, which is why the celebration of his centennial was appropriately held at the Supreme Court.

"Today marks the 100th birthday of Frank Kameny, often heralded as a founder of the LGBTQ civil rights movement," remarked Malcolm Lazin, the national chair of the organizing committee for the event. "Frank Kameny stands as one of the most significant civil rights leaders in our nation’s history," Lazin continued in his opening statement.

"We gather in front of the Supreme Court because Frank strongly believed in the Constitution's commitment to equality for every American," Lazin explained. "He anchored his activism against systemic homophobia on this very promise."

Young LGBTQ activists from New York City joined the commemoration, carrying 100 candles to honor Kameny's milestone birthday. They participated alongside national LGBTQ organization leaders, forming a symbolic picket line with replicas of "homosexual rights" signs reminiscent of those used in the historic 1965 protest outside the White House, orchestrated by Kameny and the Mattachine Society of Washington, a groundbreaking gay rights group he helped establish.

Among the speakers was Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the landmark same-sex marriage case that culminated in the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation. Obergefell reflected on how Kameny's birthday celebration coincided with the 10th anniversary of the marriage equality decision, recalling Kameny as a fervent advocate for legalizing same-sex marriage.

Both Jim Obergefell and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, the first openly lesbian member of the Senate, served as national honorary co-chairs of the birthday celebration for Kameny.

Ross Murray, a vice president at GLAAD, highlighted Kameny's strategic approach in challenging homophobia, which resonated with both the public and LGBTQ individuals who faced internalized homophobia due to societal pressures. "Inspired by the 'Black is Beautiful' movement, Frank Kameny boldly declared 'Gay is Good,'" Murray stated. "He proudly displayed this message on a picket sign during the inaugural New York Pride Parade in 1970."

Kevin Naff, editor of the Washington Blade, emphasized the importance Kameny placed on community engagement and communication, noting that the early newsletters of the Mattachine Society of Washington, which Kameny co-founded, eventually evolved into the Washington Blade in 1969. "Frank understood the critical role of a dependable source of community news for building and engaging the community," Naff noted. "It is an honor to participate in this 100th birthday tribute to one of our founding figures, Frank Kameny."

Japer Bowles, director of the D.C. Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs, expressed pride in the city hosting the centennial celebration. Bowles shared that Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an official proclamation declaring May 21, 2025, as Frank Kameny Centennial Day. The proclamation detailed Kameny's numerous achievements in advancing LGBTQ rights in Washington, D.C., and nationwide, concluding with a reminder of Kameny's enduring message, "Gay is Good."

Additional speakers included Keith Joseph of the Equality Forum, Ben Garcia from the American LGBTQ+ Museum, Saul Levin representing the American Psychiatric Association, Kevin Jennings from Lambda Legal, Elliot Imse of the LGBTQ Victory Institute, Jay Brown from the Human Rights Campaign, Philadelphia City Council member Rue Landau, June Crenshaw of the Capital Pride Alliance and WorldPride, Anya Marino from Advocates for Transgender Rights, Sultan Shakir from PFLAG, and Aaron Tax from SAGE.

Although U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres of New York, who is openly gay, was slated to speak at the event, his participation was precluded by a concurrent House committee vote. However, Representative Mark Takano, also openly gay, addressed the gathering during a luncheon following the event, commending Kameny's significant contributions to the LGBTQ movement.

The event was a heartfelt tribute to a man whose work has left an indelible mark on the fight for equality, as leaders and community members alike reflected on Kameny's impact and continued to draw inspiration from his life-long dedication to LGBTQ rights. The celebration underscored the importance of remembering and building upon the foundations laid by pioneering activists like Frank Kameny.

As the gathering concluded, participants left with renewed vigor to continue the work Kameny began, ensuring that his legacy of equality, advocacy, and the mantra "Gay is Good" endures for generations to come.