Queering Up History: Sept 18th

"Queer Events On This Day In History...

1977 A 4-hour unprecedented benefit for gay and lesbian rights was held at the Hollywood Bowl.

1980 The US National News Conference convened a panel to investigate claims of deceitful, distorted and biased reporting by CBS for "Gay Power, Gay Politics." The panel voted 9-2 in agreement with the complaint, which claimed that focusing on sexual extremes such as S & M, glory holes, and sex in parks was unfair and reinforced stereotypes. It would result in a public apology on CBS Reports.

1980 The Toronto Board of Education amends its policy to ban discrimination on basis of sexual orientation, but adds clause forbidding "proselytizing of homosexuality in the schools."

1985 A class action suit is filed by Steve Horn of Arizona to overturn the state's sodomy law. He was fired from his job with the Mesa Arizona police department after he came out despite a perfect service record. Police Chief Joe Quigley cited the sodomy law as the reason.

1988 During a speech by US Rep. Bob Dornan (Republican), his wife Sallie Dornan screams "Shut up, Fag!" at a heckler.

1989 The Corcoran Gallery issues an apology for canceling an exhibit of Robert Mapplethorpe photography.

1992 In an interview published in the San Francisco Examiner, attorney John Schlafly, son of conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, says that he is gay but he supports his mother's right wing politics. He also says it is not hypocritical of her to fight against equality for gays and lesbians while knowing he is gay.

1995 The Canadian House of Commons votes 124-52 to reject a measure introduced by openly gay Real Menard which would have extended legal recognition to same-sex marriages. But times changed quickly. Five years later the House of Commons voted to recognize same-sex spousal rights in common-law relationships.

2003 Canada's Parliament passes a law making it illegal to promote hatred of gays and lesbians in speeches, publication,s radio, or TV. The day before the same House of Commons narrowly defeated an opposition motion to declare marriage was only between a man and a woman.

2003 Britain's notorious Section 28 law, which forbade "the promotion of homosexuality" in schools and was passed by Margaret Thatcher in 1988, is officially repealed.

2003 The United States denies entry to the US to Canada's first legally married gay couple, whose marriage was made legal by a landmark court case three months earlier, because the two men had filled out a single customs form as a family."

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