This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1948, Mandy Carter was born. The African American lesbian activist co-founded Southerners on New Ground and spent decades bridging racial justice and LGBTQ+ liberation within the Democratic Party and beyond.

On this day in 1961, k.d. lang was born in Alberta, Canada. An androgynous, unapologetic gay woman and multiple Grammy winner, she became one of the first performers of her caliber to come out, and her voice continues to move the world.

On this day, just months after Stonewall, Craig Rodwell, Fred Sargeant, Ellen Broidy, and Linda Rhodes proposed the first gay pride march at a Philadelphia conference. A tradition was born.

On this day in 1969, a nationwide poll revealed that 67% of U.S. doctors favored repealing sodomy laws, showing that even the medical establishment was ready for change.

On this day in 1969, the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations voted to replace Philadelphia's Annual Reminder with an event honoring Stonewall. That decision became the first Christopher Street Liberation Day march.

On this day, SAGE (Senior Action in a Gay Environment) was founded in New York City to improve the lives of lesbian and gay seniors, recognizing that queer elders deserve community and care.

On this day in 1982, British soap opera Brookside premiered in Liverpool. Running 21 years, it brought gay characters into millions of homes and expanded queer visibility on television.

On this day in 2011, the IRS agreed to accept gender identity treatment costs as tax-deductible medical expenses, following Rhiannon O'Donnabhain's landmark Tax Court victory.