This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1943, Mick Jagger was born. Androgynous, gender-defiant, and ambisexual, the Rolling Stones frontman came to symbolize rock's boundary-pushing spirit through the '60s, '70s, and beyond.

On this day, The Advocate first mentioned 'bears' in print, describing them as 'hunky chunky types.' The term grew into a vibrant subculture with its own flag, magazine, and proud community identity.

On this day, Andrew Gillum was born. The former Florida gubernatorial candidate came out as bisexual in 2020 alongside his wife on The Tamron Hall Show, speaking openly about his sexuality for the first time.

On this day in 1981, Dr. Jeanette Howard Foster died. Her 1956 study Sex Variant Women in Literature pioneered lesbian literary scholarship and became a foundational resource in LGBTQ+ studies.

On this day in 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibited discrimination against people living with AIDS and expanded protections for the most vulnerable.

On this day, Ruth Berman and Connie Kurtz married in New York. The couple had sued NYC for domestic partner benefits in 1988 and won for all city employees, changing policy forever.

On this day in 2018, Land O'Lakes named Beth Ford its CEO, making her the first openly gay woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. Queer leadership reached the top of corporate America.