This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1961, Boy George was born. The Culture Club frontman declared himself 'militantly gay' and became one of pop music's most visible queer icons across four decades.

On this day in 1972, Montreal's Front de libération homosexuel opened a gay center with a dance. Police raided it, charging forty people. Attendance plummeted and the organization folded within 15 months.

On this day in 2004, LGBTQ+ activists declared independence on Australia's Coral Sea Islands in protest of the government's refusal to recognize same-sex marriage. The rainbow flag became their national symbol.

On this day, the Senate confirmed Nitza Quiñones Alejandro to the federal bench. Appointed by President Obama, she became the first openly lesbian Latina federal judge in American history.