This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1912, Bayard Rustin was born. He organized the March on Washington, taught King nonviolence, and in his final years became a proud, public advocate for gay and lesbian liberation.

On this day in 1938, Rudolf Nureyev was born in Siberia. Perhaps the greatest dancer who ever lived, he defected from the Soviet Union in 1961 and shared a legendary 25-year relationship with Erik Bruhn.

On this day in 1968, two drag queens held a St. Patrick's Day party at LA's Griffith Park. Over 200 gay men gathered to socialize and protest LAPD entrapment and harassment at the popular cruising spot.

On this day, the film Boys in the Band opened in New York, the first major Hollywood look at gay life. Based on Mart Crowley's groundbreaking play, it remains a milestone in queer cinema.