The modern LGBTQ rights movement began in the 1950s and 1960s, with the Stonewall riots in 1969 marking a pivotal moment. The riots, led by LGBTQ individuals, particularly trans women of color, protested police brutality and harassment, sparking a wave of activism and advocacy. The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of LGBTQ organizations, advocacy groups, and community centers.