This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1526, humanist Marc-Antoine Muret was born near Limoges. The 16th-century scholar was accused by the church of being both a sodomist and a Protestant, twin heresies in his era.

On this day in 1932, Grand Hotel was released. Greta Garbo almost turned down the role, but her partner Mercedes de Acosta convinced her to take it. The film won the Oscar for Best Picture.

On this day in 1964, Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls was born. The singer-songwriter and activist used her music and socially conscious record label to speak out against hate, connecting homophobia, classism, and violence in powerful ways.

On this day, transgender veteran Autumn Sandeen received official Navy recognition of her gender as female, believed to be the first time the Department of Defense affirmed a gender change for anyone in uniform.