Today in LGBT History--September 11

September 11, 9:02 AMGrassroots Equality ExaminerBrandon Santo

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D.H. Lawrence

1779: Alexander Hamilton writes to John Laurens, "Like a jealous lover, when I thought you had slighted my caresses, my affection was alarmed and my vanity piqued." It is unclear whether or not Hamilton and Laurens were lovers, as most evidence is ambiguous at best.

1932: In a book review of "Sappho of Lesbos" by Arthur Weigell, reviewer Florence Finch Kelly praises the author for focusing on the beauty of her poems and not condemning her by current morality standards. The reviewer explained that since the Greeks "had no sexual morals whatever" Sappho was merely a product of her environment.

1961: "The Rejected," the first US television documentary about homosexuality, was aired on KQED, a San Francisco public station. Guests included anthropologist Margaret Mead, Episcopal Bishop of California Rev James Pike, several members of the Mattachine Society, and Dr. Evelyn Hooker, the first psychologist to prove that male homosexuals were no more likely to suffer from mental illness than heterosexual males. With a budget of less than $100, the purpose was to challenge stereotypes and common misunderstandings about homosexuals.

1975: New York City council rejects a gay rights ordinance.

1976: The convictions of two California men arrested for lewd conduct (for kissing in public) are upheld. They were forced to register as sex offenders under California law.

1986: The Gay and Lesbian Archive of New Zealand is damaged by arson just weeks after gay sex is legalized in the country.

1989: U.S. magazine OutWeek publishes its second list of closeted homosexuals, this time with 31 names.

1990: Joseph Wills of Wisconsin is arrested and charged with murder for shooting a gay man to death. He states that if another man made a pass at him he would do the same thing.

1993: The Association of Latin Men for Action, a gay and bisexual men's organization in Chicago, marches in the city's Mexican Independence Day parade. It was the first time a gay organization had participated in the event.

1994: Pete Wilson, governor of California, vetoes a bill which would have allowed limited recognition of relationships between same-sex partners and unmarried heterosexuals. He said it would undermine heterosexual marriage.

1999: The U.S. gay-support group Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays ended its partnership with U.S. bookstore chain Barnes and Noble, apologizing to independent booksellers for supporting a corporation that has forced smaller stores out of business.

Today’s Birthdays…

1885:  D.H. Lawrence, author, in Nottinghamshire, England. Had affairs with William Henry, a British farmboy, and Middleton Murray, husband of Katherine Mansfield.

1948: Jewell Gomez, writer, was also a part of the founding board of Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) in 1984.

1962: Christine Ann McNichol, aka Kristy McNichol, American actress and singer, born in Los Angeles.

Quote of the Day…

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead