This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1820, Susan B. Anthony was born. The legendary suffragist, abolitionist, and reformer never married, and historians believe she shared intimate relationships with three women throughout her remarkable life.

On this day in 1952, Bill T. Jones was born. With partner Arnie Zane, they co-founded a groundbreaking dance company as an openly gay interracial couple. After Zane died of AIDS in 1988, Jones danced on with renewed urgency.

On this day in 1983, pioneering lesbian playwright Jane Chambers died at 45. Her works like Last Summer at Bluefish Cove gave openly lesbian characters center stage for the first time.

On this day, a Los Angeles jury awarded Rock Hudson's ex-lover Marc Christian $21.75 million for emotional distress after learning Hudson had AIDS, spotlighting the devastating personal toll of the epidemic.

On this day, The Celluloid Closet premiered. Based on Vito Russo's groundbreaking book, the documentary traced Hollywood's fraught history of portraying LGBTQ+ characters, from erasure to empowerment.

On this day, Stephen Brady presented his credentials as Australian Ambassador to Denmark alongside partner Peter Stephens, making them the world's first openly gay ambassadorial couple.

On this day in 2009, RuPaul's Drag Race premiered, launching a cultural revolution. RuPaul became the most commercially successful drag queen of all time, bringing queer artistry to the mainstream.

On this day, soccer player Robbie Rogers came out as gay. He went on to become the first openly gay man to compete in a top North American professional sports league, playing for the LA Galaxy and shattering barriers in athletics.