This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1801, explorers Alexander Henry and David Thompson documented a Native American known as Berdache, described as 'a curious compound between a man and a woman,' recording Indigenous gender diversity.

On this day in 1857, Martha Carey Thomas was born. The educator and suffragist led Bryn Mawr University while living openly with women partners, first Mamie Gwinn and later Mary Garrett.

On this day in 1900, Billy Haines was born. Hollywood's first openly gay celebrity, he refused to hide his sexuality in 1933 and was pushed out of acting. He built a legendary interior design career with partner Jimmie Shields.

On this day in 1929, Charles Beaumont was born. His story imagining a world where heterosexuals were the persecuted minority ran in Playboy, and Hugh Hefner defended it, declaring all persecution wrong.

On this day, Lynn Ann Conway was born. A transgender computer scientist and inventor, she pioneered the VLSI design revolution at IBM and later became a leading voice for transgender visibility in technology and beyond.

On this day, Bonnie Bleskachek became the first openly lesbian fire chief of a major American city, Minneapolis. She also co-founded the Minnesota Women Fire Fighters Association, blazing trails on every front.