This Day in Queer History

On this day, Carrie Lane Chapman was born. Though not known to be queer herself, this women's rights pioneer founded the National League of Women Voters, building infrastructure that would serve all women's liberation.

On this day in 1941, bisexual folk icon Joan Baez was born. A Mexican-American singer and tireless activist, she marched with Dr. King, stood with Cesar Chavez, and championed LGBTQ+ civil rights throughout her legendary career.

On this day in 1959, writer Linda Villarosa was born. As a senior editor at Essence, she and her mother co-wrote a groundbreaking article about what it meant to be a lesbian daughter and the mother who loved her.

On this day in 1977, the Episcopal Church ordained Ellen Marie Barrett, the first openly lesbian priest in the denomination's history. Her candor about her sexuality sparked controversy but blazed a trail for LGBTQ+ clergy.

On this day in 1978, John Gielgud, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and 26 others took out a full-page Time ad protesting America's anti-gay political backlash. The world was watching.

On this day, more than 10,000 lesbians and gay men marched through central London to protest Clause 28, which banned local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality and labeled queer families as "pretended."

On this day in 1991, an unprecedented number of prominent gay and lesbian artists came out publicly in The Guardian to support Ian McKellen's knighthood, including Stephen Fry and Cameron Mackintosh.

On this day, 91-year-old Hubert Spires finally received his honorable discharge, 68 years after being removed from the military for being gay. 'I can go to my grave with my head held high,' he said.