This Day in Queer History

On this day, C.P. Cavafy was born in Alexandria, Egypt. The Greek poet filled his work with the lyricism and emotion of same-sex love. David Hockney later illustrated his poems, and his reputation has only grown since his death.

On this day, playwright Thornton Wilder was born. A three-time Pulitzer Prize winner for Our Town and The Bridge of San Luis Rey, his private life included a relationship with author Samuel Steward.

On this day in 1965, ten gay men and lesbians silently picketed the White House and United Nations after Cuba placed homosexuals in forced labor camps. Organized by ECHO, it was one of the first public demonstrations for gay rights.

On this day, actress Ellen Corby died at 87, survived by her partner of 45 years, Stella Luchetta. Best known as Grandma Walton, Corby won three Emmys while living her truth quietly offscreen.

On this day, New Zealand's Parliament passed marriage equality 77-44. The decisive vote made New Zealand one of the first countries in the Asia-Pacific region to embrace same-sex marriage.