This Day in Queer History

On this day, Sigmund Freud declared that 'homosexuals must not be treated as sick people,' challenging the medical establishment and planting a radical seed of acceptance decades ahead of its time.

On this day, Belgium's postal service issued stamps featuring gay lovers Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud, the legendary French poets whose passionate, turbulent affair helped forge modern literature.

On this day in 1957, Dr. Rachel Levine was born. She became the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the U.S. Senate, serving as Assistant Secretary for Health.

On this day in 1970, feminist writer Kate Millett came out as a lesbian at a Daughters of Bilitis meeting in New York City. Her book Sexual Politics had already made her a towering voice in second-wave feminism.

On this day, Quebec's Human Rights Commission met with gay group ADGQ and publicly recommended the government amend its Human Rights Charter to include sexual orientation. Quebec would become a Canadian leader in LGBTQ+ protections.

On this day in 1987, nineteen people were arrested at the University of Vermont for protesting the CIA's exclusion of gays and lesbians, putting the fight against institutional discrimination on full display.

On this day, Placido Domingo and Andre Watts raised $1.5 million at a fundraiser for the Gay Men's Health Crisis, rallying the arts world against the AIDS epidemic.

On this day, Congress repealed a law barring homosexuals from entering the United States on grounds of mental illness, dismantling one of the most dehumanizing immigration barriers queer people faced.

On this day, the Federal Court of Canada ordered the military to lift its ban on gay and lesbian service personnel. The Defense Department declined to appeal. Canada's armed forces were now officially open to all.

On this day in 1999, Democratic presidential candidates Al Gore and Bill Bradley both promised to do everything in their power to ensure equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans.

On this day in 1999, Ontario changed 67 statutes to give same-sex couples equal treatment with heterosexual couples, a sweeping legislative overhaul advancing LGBTQ+ equality across the province.

On this day, WNBA superstar Sheryl Swoopes came out as gay. A three-time MVP, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and the first player signed in the WNBA, she brought unprecedented visibility to women's sports.

On this day in 2009, Guido Westerwelle took office as Germany's Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister, becoming the first openly gay person to hold either position in German history.