This Day in Queer History

On this day, Maud Allan was born. A pianist-turned-dancer celebrated for her impressionistic performances, she spent her later years living openly with her lover and secretary, Verna Aldrich.

On this day in 1951, the California Supreme Court ruled that gay people simply gathering at the Black Cat Bar was not grounds to suspend its liquor license, an early legal victory for queer public space.

On this day, fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford was born. After transforming Gucci and directing the Oscar-nominated A Single Man, Ford built a global luxury brand while living openly with husband Richard Buckley.

On this day in 1969, Erika Mann died. The eldest daughter of Thomas Mann fled Nazi Germany by marrying gay poet W.H. Auden and spent her life fighting fascism through writing, activism, and love with women.

On this day, the NYPD's 6th Precinct beat the New York Matts, a gay softball team, in a charity game. About 1,000 spectators watched, with Geraldo Rivera umpiring first base.

Around this time, attorney Aaron Greenberg argued at a gay medical symposium that if a gay gene were isolated, parents should have the right to abort a gay fetus. The debate sent shockwaves.

On this day, the Tokyo Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade returned after a four-year absence, marching through the Shibuya district and growing into one of Japan's most important annual LGBTQ+ events.