This Day in Queer History

On this day, actress Jean Acker was born. Part of Hollywood's secret 'Sewing Circle' of lesbian and bisexual actresses, she navigated love and identity behind the curtain of early cinema.

On this day in 1906, gay Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont made the first public European airplane flight, proving controlled flight was possible years before the Wright Brothers gained fame.

On this day in 1978, Gloria Gaynor released 'I Will Survive.' The disco anthem about surviving heartbreak was immediately embraced by the gay community as a defiant celebration of resilience and self-determination.

On this day in 1993, Montana's supreme court ruled that "transvestitism" is not sufficient reason to deny a father joint custody of his child. A small but significant recognition of parental rights.

On this day in 1994, political journalist Andrew Kopkind died at 59. He wrote for The New Republic and The Nation, hosted the Lavender Hour radio program, and shared 24 years with filmmaker John Scagliotti.

Today in queer history, Amandla Stenberg was born. The actor and activist, known for The Hunger Games and The Hate U Give, came out as gay and identifies as non-binary.

On this day, religious right leader Rev. Jerry Falwell met with Rev. Mel White and other gay Christians for an anti-violence forum, a rare moment of dialogue across the culture war divide.