This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1882, Harry Allen was born. A transgender man in the Pacific Northwest, he lived defiantly as himself for decades, drawing sensationalist headlines from 1900 until his death in 1922.

On this day, filmmaker F.W. Murnau was born. The gay German director created masterpieces like Nosferatu and Sunrise, forever shaping cinema before his tragic death at 42.

On this day in 1901, bisexual actress Marlene Dietrich was born. A screen legend who reinvented herself across decades, she thrived in Berlin's queer nightlife and became an icon of fearless, boundary-defying glamour.

On this day, poet Hart Crane came out as homosexual in a letter to critic Gorham Munson. One of the most influential poets of his generation, he tied his sexuality to his calling as a writer.

On this day in 1933, the New York Times reviewed Queen Christina, starring Greta Garbo as the cross-dressing, likely bisexual Swedish monarch who defied every expectation of womanhood and royalty.

On this day, Martha Shelley was born. Present at Stonewall, she co-founded the Gay Liberation Front, produced Lesbian Nation on WBAI radio, and became one of the best-known lesbian activists in America.

On this day in 1958, Lisa Sue Kove was born. A disabled combat veteran and civil rights activist, she filed one of the first child support suits for children born to same-sex couples in 1998.

On this day in 1973, Wilson Cruz was born. The openly gay Puerto Rican actor brought groundbreaking queer representation to TV as Rickie Vasquez on My So-Called Life and later on Star Trek: Discovery.

On this day in 1980, the first international lesbian conference convened in Amsterdam, drawing women from 17 countries to foster global lesbian organizing and solidarity across borders.

On this day, Joe Beam died of HIV-related illness. The editor of In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology worked to bridge the gap between Black and gay communities, leaving a legacy completed by Essex Hemphill.

On this day, Michael Callen died of AIDS-related complications at 38. A singer, songwriter, and activist, he co-invented safer sex practices and co-founded the People with AIDS self-empowerment movement. He sang until the very end.