1980
- No Bad News begins to publish.
- Monte's bar opens.
- Charlie's Lounge bar closes.
- St. Louis hosts its first official LGBT Pride (week of activites April 12-20).
- FACES bar hosts first "Sleaze Ball."
- A Federal grand jury finds Missouri U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton's niece and her lawyer guilty of trying to extort $220,000 from the Senator by threatening to start a rumor that he was a homosexual.
- The St. Louis Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights is formed.
- A Halloween Gayla raises $1,000 for the Gay Hotline.
1981
- Gay News Telegraph begins publishing on Oct. 6, 1981.
- William Burroughs returns to his hometown for a book reading at Duff's Restaurant and a book signing at Left Bank Books.
- The Sweetheart Slave Auction is held.
- The St. Louis Chapter of the Gay Atheist of America is formed.
- The Gallery Lounge bar goes from gay to straight.
- Acropolis bar goes from straight to gay.
- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that five people were arrested at the Bowery gay bar for lewd conduct. The paper runs their names and addresses.
- KMOX-TV airs an interview with Russell McCraw whos says he is reformed and prayed the gay away.
- Rev. Troy Perry, Founder of MCC, performs services at St. Louis' MCC on Waterman Ave.
- The St. Louis Chapter of Black and White Men Together is formed.
- Michael Bauman is named Mr. Club St. Louis.
- The Gallery of Homo Erotic Art opens as a membership only business.
- Charles Davis (Lady Charles) dies.
- Frank Scheuren, President of Dignity, visits St. Louis' Immaculate Conception Church.
- Male members of IRIS quit the group, with female members accusing them of sexism.
1982
- Research underway.
1983
- City Lights bar opens.
- The first Mr. Missouri Leather contest is held at Martin's bar. Charles Schieb wins the title.
- A boycott of Tower Grove Bank is called for after accusations the bank led an effort to not renews the liquor liscense of Richard's Bar and Restaurant on Grand.
1984
- Metropolitan AIDS Foundation formed. Only open for one year.
- Seven men are arrested for sexual misconduct in Shaw Park in Clayton, Mo in an undercover sting operation. Local press is criticized for publishing the men's names, addresses, and occupations.
- St. Louis Gender Foundation is formed.
- First Show Me Classic Lesbian/Gay Bowling Tournament is held in St. Louis.
- St. Louis is included in a national study focusing on anti-gay violence conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
1985
- St. Louis Effort for AIDS (EFA) is founded.
- Movie star Rock Hudson dies. St. Louis born (and openly out) actor Michael Kearns was the media's go to for interviews about Hudson's death.
- First St. Louis HIV/AIDS fundraiser is held at Monte's gay bar.
- Mick's bar opens.
- Wired Women Productions opens.
- St. Louis' law prohibiting crossdressing is overturned as a result of a suit brought by popular female impersonator Michael Shreves (Michelle McCausland) after his arrest for violating the law.
- Privacy Rights Education Project (PREP) formed. Now PROMO.
1986
- Viewpoint begins publishing.
1987
- The first formal effort to document and preserve St. Louis' LGBT History begins with an effort by the Community Liasion for Education and Research (CLEAR).
- Washington University's AIDS Clinical Trial (ACT) Unit opens.
- AIDS Foundation of St. Louis is founded.
- Our World Too Bookstore opens.
- PLUS begins publishing.
1988
- NAMES Project Metro St. Louis Chapter is formed and the first local display of the AIDS Quilt happens at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.
- Show Me Guide begins publishing.
- Food Outreach founded.
- Bethany Place opens.
- KDHX radio (Coming Out of Hiding) and KRJY radio (Lambada Reports) begin LGBT programs.
- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on several arrests of men in Forest Park for sexual misconduct.
- The first AIDS Walk occurs.
1989
- St. Louis' Roger Piatt (Vicki Vincent) is crowned Miss Gay America.