This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1864, photographer Fred Holland Day was born. The first to champion photography as fine art, Day's homoerotic portraits of young men sparked controversy and later critical acclaim.

On this day in 1906, architect Philip Johnson was born. A modernist visionary behind the iconic Glass House, he came out publicly in 1993 and became the most celebrated openly gay architect in America.

On this day, Harry Hay and Rudi Gernreich met and later co-founded the Mattachine Society, one of the earliest gay rights organizations in America. Their partnership merged civil rights activism with radical creative vision.

On this day, the Democratic Rules Committee declared it would not discriminate against homosexuals. At their 1980 National Convention, Democrats became the first major political party to endorse a homosexual rights platform.

On this day, U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro in Massachusetts became the first federal judge to rule a key section of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. The dominoes began to fall.

On this day, Tab Hunter died. The 1950s Hollywood heartthrob had relationships with Anthony Perkins and figure skater Ronnie Robertson before settling down with his partner of over 35 years, Allan Glaser.