1981 in LGBT rights

February

 * February 5 - In Canada, Toronto police raid city bath houses, arresting 286 people.
 * February 6 - About 3,000 protestors stage the largest-ever sit in protests in Toronto streets to decry city police raids on bath houses.
 * February 10 - U.S. advocacy group Moral Majority announces a $3 million fund to fight against gay rights advances.
 * February 20 - Protest crowds in Toronto swell to 4,000 in the fight to stop police crack down on bath houses.

March

 * March 6 - Toronto Gay Community Council holds first meeting.
 * March 1 - The Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay Community Center first opens its doors in a two-room store front in downtown San Jose, California.

April

 * April 28 - Billie Jean King sued for palimony by Marilyn Barnett, during which King denies her homosexuality. She later admits she is a lesbian.

May

 * May 14 - The Ronald Reagan administration cancels White House subscription to The Advocate.
 * May 15 - Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus holds its first concert in Minnesota.
 * May 18 - First lesbian pride march held in Vancouver after the fifth Binational Lesbian Conference.

December

 * December 21 - New York City Gay Men's Chorus is the first openly gay music act to perform at Carnegie Hall.