In response to raids on New Year’s Eve 1966 and early morning of New Year’s Day 1967 at the Black Cat Tavern in Los Angeles, Personal Rights in Defense and Education (P.R.I.D.E) staged demonstrations in defense of the patrons and in protest of the police…
On January 4, 1964, Dot Marie Jones was born in California, where she grew up. Jones is best known these days for her portrayal of Coach Sheldon Beiste on the television show Glee, where she portrayed a transgender man. One of the pivotal scenes in…
January 3rd, 1981: Representative Barnett “Barney” Frank took office after being elected to serve the state of Massachusetts. He became the first national U.S. politician to come out voluntarily when he came out in 1987. He served from January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2013….
Martha Carey Thomas (January 2, 1857 – December 2, 1935) is remembered as a suffragist and the president of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. For many years, Carey Thomas was in a relationship with Mamie Gwinn. She is still remembered as one of the earlier…
“For too long, religious teachings have been misused – and are still being misused – to cause deep pain and offence to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex. This must change.” Says Paul Bayes, the bishop of Liverpool, co-chair of the…
“If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself,” says Zanele Muholi, south African activist and artist who uses her art to show the “beauty and individuality of black LGBTQ women: a group that she believes has…
On January 1st, 1962, Illinois became the first state to decriminalize sexual activity between adult partners of the same physiological anatomy after repealing sodomy laws. Read more about this and other milestones on the road to LGBTQIA+ equal rights here: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/stonewall-milestones-american-gay-rights-movement/
Twenty-seven years ago today, Brandon Teena (December 12, 1972 – December 31, 1993) was attacked and murdered in a small town in Nebraska. Teena was murdered because he was transgender, and his two friends – Phillip DeVine and Lisa Lambert – were killed to cover…
In 1993, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” went into effect for all U.S. Armed Forces personnel. The policy said that LGBT people needed to keep their gender and sexuality secret to serve the nation, After years of effort from activists, the policy was revoked on September…
On December 29th, 1914, jazz musician Billy Tipton (December 29, 1914 – January 21, 1989) was born. Tipton was a well-known musician from 1930 – 1950 when he had to retire due to worsening arthritis. An upcoming documentary explores Tipton’s life, including the misgendering that…
The Open and Affirming Coalition advocates for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the United Church of Christ and beyond, and equips UCC congregations to become effective witnesses to Christ’s extravagant welcome. Read more