This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1858, King Gustav V of Sweden was born. A closeted monarch who reigned from 1907 until 1950, allegations of a love affair with Kurt Haijby led to hush money payments that hinted at a hidden queer life.

On this day, Colombian American author Jaime Manrique was born. His debut poetry won Colombia's National Poetry Award, and his decades-long partnership with painter Bill Sullivan anchored his creative life.

On this day in 1961, ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev defected from the Soviet Union at a Paris airport. Named 'Lord of the Dance,' he began a volatile 25-year love affair with Danish dancer Erik Bruhn that endured until Bruhn's death.

On this day, a federal appeals court ruled in Scott v. Macy that vague labels like 'homosexual' could not disqualify applicants from federal employment, a key early victory for workplace rights.

On this day in 1967, model Jenny Lynn Shimizu was born. An openly queer icon who had relationships with Angelina Jolie and Madonna, she lived boldly and visibly in the fashion world on her own terms.

On this day in 1979, Montreal hosted Gairilla Week, the city's first major gay celebration, marking a growing movement of queer visibility in Quebec.

On this day, The New York Times published its first front-page story on AIDS, finally giving the epidemic the visibility that activists had demanded for over two years.

On this day in 1990, Queer Nation held a Take Back the Night march in New York City protesting hate crimes against gays. Over 1,000 people filled the streets, demanding safety and visibility.

On this day in 1992, k.d. lang came out as a lesbian in The Advocate. Her openness sparked a wave of 'lesbian chic' media coverage and proved that authenticity could coexist with mainstream musical success.

On this day in 2008, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon became the first legally married same-sex couple in California after a landmark ruling. They had been together for over 50 years.

On this day, Robin Tyler and Diane Olson became the first same-sex couple to wed in Los Angeles. Together 18 years and rejected annually since 2001, they were the first of 18,000 couples to marry before Prop 8 passed.