11 events documented
On this day, fashion revolutionary Rudi Gernreich was born. His avant-garde designs advanced sexual freedom and challenged social norms. With lover Harry Hay, he co-founded the Mattachine Society, merging queer activism with creative vision.
Around this time, Die Freundin launched in Berlin, a lesbian magazine that published fiction, personal ads, and political calls to action. The Nazis shut it down in 1933.
On this day in 1951, journalist Randy Shilts was born. The first openly gay reporter with a gay beat in mainstream media, he wrote And the Band Played On and three other groundbreaking books before dying of AIDS in 1994.
On this day in 1973, the American Bar Association passed a resolution urging the repeal of sodomy laws, lending major institutional weight to the fight against criminalizing queer intimacy.
On this day in 1978, representatives from 14 countries founded the International Lesbian and Gay Association in Coventry, England. ILGA now represents over 750 LGBTQ+ groups across 110+ countries.
On this day, the United Church of Canada approved a study document advocating acceptance of gays and lesbians into ministry, a bold step for the country's largest Protestant denomination.
On this day, Bobbi Campbell appeared with his partner on the cover of Newsweek. The first person to publicly come out as living with AIDS, he co-wrote the Denver Principles and gave the epidemic a human face.
On this day in 1984, Greg Louganis won Olympic gold in diving in Los Angeles, beginning a legendary career. Called the greatest diver in history, he came out publicly in 1995.
On this day, openly gay New York City Council candidate Tom Duane revealed he was HIV-positive during a close race. He went on to become the first openly gay and only openly HIV-positive member of the New York State Senate.
On this day in 2000, WNBA player Sue Wicks told the Village Voice it would be 'easier to count the straight ones' in women's basketball. One of the first out players, she later said being a lesbian was a coaching liability.
On this day, Fridae.com organized Singapore's first large-scale LGBT event at Sentosa's Fantasy Island. The gathering brought queer visibility to one of the island nation's most popular destinations, signaling a community ready to be seen.
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