This Day in Queer History

On this day, Cardinal John Henry Newman was born in London. Devoted to his friend Brother Ambrose, he spent the night with the corpse when Ambrose died. Newman left instructions to be buried in the same grave, together in eternity.

On this day, Harry Stack Sullivan was born. The gay psychiatrist's groundbreaking interpersonal approach was long dismissed because of his sexuality, but today he is recognized as a pioneer of modern psychoanalysis.

On this day, poet W. H. Auden was born in York, England. His brilliant verse explored love, politics, and morality, while his authorship of The Platonic Blow remained a quiet open secret for decades.

On this day, Barbara Jordan was born. A trailblazing Black congresswoman, civil rights leader, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, she shared her life with partner Nancy Earl for twenty years.