This Day in Queer History

On this day, Andrew George Scott was born. Known as Captain Moonlite, the Irish-born Australian bushranger wrote passionate love letters to fellow outlaw James Nesbit that left no doubt about their bond.

On this day in 1889, Jean Cocteau was born. The French poet, novelist, and filmmaker created some of the 20th century's most daring art while living openly and passionately with the men he loved.

Today in queer history, Hendrik 'Hein' Vos was born. The Dutch Labour Party politician was the first known gay politician in the Netherlands, his sexuality an open secret in Dutch politics.

On this day in 1970, gay rights advocate Wayne Besen was born. After his parents gave him an "ex-gay" DVD when he came out, he founded Truth Wins Out to fight conversion therapy and anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience.

On this day in 1978, Gay News and Views debuted in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, becoming the first regularly scheduled gay radio program in Canada and amplifying queer voices on the airwaves.

On this day in 1978, Quebec's Human Rights Commission ruled that refusing to rent facilities to a gay group was discriminatory, the first such finding since sexual orientation was added to the provincial Charter of Rights.

On this day, the Liberal Party of Canada adopted a resolution to include sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act. National politics took a step toward recognizing that equality means everyone.

On this day in 1985, soccer star Megan Rapinoe was born. She became the first openly gay woman in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue and won the Ballon d'Or and two FIFA World Cups.

On this day, the Serbian parliament approved a law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Another country moved toward recognizing that equality is not optional.