This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1928, the obscenity trial for Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness began. The novel portrayed lesbianism as natural. A defense witness argued no one could "become homosexual by reading books."

On this day, Ti-Grace Atkinson was born. The radical feminist left NOW over its refusal to confront abortion and marriage inequalities, co-founded The Feminists, and became a Daughters of Bilitis member advocating political lesbianism.

On this day, Kate Clinton was born. The self-described "fumerist" launched her stand-up career in 1981, turning her lesbianism, Catholicism, and sharp political wit into decades of groundbreaking comedy.

On this day in 1952, actor John Megna was born. Best known as Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird, he died of AIDS-related complications in 1995 at just 42 years old.

On this day in 1975, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission ruled that "sex" in the Human Rights Act includes sexual orientation, beginning proceedings against the university that fired teacher Doug Wilson for being gay.

On this day in 1985, openly gay actor Terry Sweeney joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, breaking barriers in network television alongside his partner and writing collaborator, Lanier Laney.

On this day in 1988, actor Nikki Blonsky was born. The Hairspray star later came out as a "proud gay woman," saying it was a long time coming and she was finally ready to be herself.

On this day, Kate Brown was sworn in as governor of Oregon, becoming the country's first openly bisexual statewide officeholder and first openly bisexual governor.