Huffington Magazine Issue 55-56 | Page 55

AP PHOTO/CHARLES DHARAPAK DOUBLE RAINBOW AS WE HEAD into the anniversary of our nation’s independence, gay Americans can count two new freedoms — this week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled both the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8 unconstitutional. While gay rights victories have quickened to a steady stream of late, neither historic win would have been possible without the years of battles, large and small, preceding them. Starting with the 1969 Stonewall riots that catalyzed the LGBT movement, we take you through some of the biggest moments in gay rights — and American — history. PHOTO OR ILLUSTRATION CREDIT TK WASHINGTON, D.C. / 06.26.13 Michael Knaapen (left) and his husband John Becker (right) share an emotional moment outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday.