This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1904, novelist Christopher Isherwood was born. His Berlin Stories inspired the musical Cabaret, and his decades-long partnership with artist Don Bachardy defined a great queer love story.

On this day, photographer Mel Roberts was born. He spent the 1960s and 70s capturing the California male ideal, often using friends and former lovers as his sun-drenched models.

On this day, Chuck Renslow was born. The openly gay businessman pioneered homoerotic photography and founded the Gold Coast bar, Man's Country Baths, and International Mr. Leather. With partner Dom Orejudos, he built a culture.

On this day in 1952, openly gay actor Michael Jeter was born. Beloved for roles from Evening Shade to Sesame Street's Mr. Noodle to The Green Mile, he shared his life with partner Sean Blue until his death at 50.

On this day in 1969, amendments to the Canadian Criminal Code took effect, decriminalizing sexual acts between consenting adults 21 and older in private. It was partial freedom, but freedom nonetheless.

On this day in 1973, Lesbian Feminist Liberation demonstrated at the American Museum of Natural History demanding inclusion of matriarchies and women's culture. Jean O'Leary led the group after breaking from the Gay Activists Alliance.

On this day in 1981, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Mary C. Morgan to the San Francisco Municipal Court, making her the first openly lesbian judge in U.S. history.

On this day, a $1.3 million Rand Corp. study for the Pentagon concluded that the ban on lesbians and gays in the military should be lifted without risk to order or discipline, echoing previous studies that reached the same conclusion.

On this day, a federal judge in Utah announced he would strike down a state law prohibiting people with AIDS from marrying, rejecting the weaponization of a health crisis against fundamental rights.

On this day in 2020, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Gavin Grimm, declaring that policies segregating transgender students from their peers violate the Constitution and federal anti-discrimination law.