The public image of homosexuals changed with liberalized social attitudes of the late 1960s . In 1969 , the Stonewall riots occurred in New York City , marking the start of the gay rights movement . Although gay life in Miami was intensely closeted , and bars were subject to frequent raids , Christ Metropolitan Community Church — a congregation for gay and lesbian Christians in Miami — was founded in 1970 as a religious outlet , attracting hundreds of parishioners . The 1972 Democratic National Convention was held in Miami , featuring , for the first time , a public speech about the rights of gay men and lesbians by openly gay San Francisco political activist Jim Foster . Jack Campbell opened the Miami branch of Club Baths in 1974 . When it was raided , he made sure that all charges against those arrested were dropped , filed a lawsuit against the Miami Police Department prohibiting further harassment , and received a formal apology from the police . Even the depiction of gay men and lesbians in the local newspaper had changed to that of a silent , oppressed minority . By 1977 , Miami was one of nearly 40 cities in the U.S. that had passed ordinances outlawing discrimination against gay men and lesbians
1972 Democratic National Convention
1972 Democratic National Convention
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