This Day in Queer History

On this day, Jack Cole was born. Known as the founder of Theatrical Jazz Dance, Cole choreographed the iconic 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' sequence. Madonna later reinterpreted his work for her Material Girl video.

On this day in 1951, Luis Zapata was born. Mexico's most productive and successful gay writer, his novel Adonis García chronicled the lives of urban homosexuals with unflinching honesty.

On this day, the Student Homophile League at Columbia University was founded by Stephen Donaldson, making Columbia the first U.S. college to officially recognize a gay student group.

On this day in 1978, Rachel Morrison was born. The cinematographer became the first woman nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for Mudbound, making her also the first lesbian recognized in that category.

On this day in 2009, Iowa became the third state to allow same-sex marriage. A Midwestern state proved that marriage equality wasn't just a coastal value.