Glorious Precedents: When Gay Marriage Was Radical

In the years immediately following the Stonewall riots of June 1969, a period when "gay liberation" rather than "gay rights" described the ambitions of a movement, at least ten same-sex couples across the United States applied or attempted to apply for marriage licenses. All were refused except for two men in Texas, one of whom apparently looked convincing in a miniskirt, a wig, and false eyelashes. Lawsuits ensued in five states, and four made their way to and beyond trial.'