San Domingo was Mussolini’s gay island where he deported ‘immoral’ queer men during Italy’s fascist heyday before World War II, and few folks know about it
History

Straight Mens’ Balls, Prostitution Therapy and 9 Other Old-Timey ‘Cures’ for Homosexuality
Doctors used to think that implanting a straight man’s testicle into a gay man’s scrotum would cure his homosexuality. And if you think that’s weird…
Disco, Stonewall and the Birth of Pride Events in Chicago
We might think that New York City, with the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 and the Gay Liberation Day march in 1970, was on the forefront of queer organizing. But that would overlook the remarkable milestones that occurred in Chicago. Chicago’s gay history is indeed a robust one. It was 1924[…]
From the Science of Sex to Nazi Destroyers, 10 of the Coolest Queer People in Science
Smart is sexy — and we love these ten people who have brought the world many wonderful discoveries and inventions — all while being great LGBTQ role models!
Read This Homophobic 1969 News Article About the Stonewall Riots
You won’t believe the New York Daily News’ Stonewall article about the uprising. It’s equal parts condescending and revealing.
Corrupt Cops, The Mafia and the Unknown History of the Stonewall Uprising
It’s hard to talk about queer history in June without talking about Stonewall. You’ve surely heard the name, and you might’ve seen the controversial movie that was recently made (and reviled) about the event. But do you know the full story?
Read This Heartbreaking Gay World War II Soldier’s Love Letter
Here’s a love letter written by a gay World War II soldier to his partner. The men met in Africa in 1943.
The Strange Tale of Leo Koury, ‘Godfather of the Gay Community’ in Richmond, Virginia
Leo Koury spent the longer than any current criminal on the FBI’s Most Wanted list — but the former gay bar monopoly holder’s final years were surprising
In the 1970s, Gay Sex Was Rampant on NYC Piers and in Trucks! Here’s the Story!
In the 1970s, when libido ruled the Village, NYC piers were the site of some astounding hookups — and some fascinating art works, too
American Civil Rights Leader Bayard Rustin on the ‘Absolute Necessity’ to Be Openly Gay
In a recently unearthed recording of a mid-1980s interview, he shares his thoughts on the importance of being openly gay
It’s Been 241 Years Since the First Man Was Thrown Out of the Army for Being Gay
George Washington himself wrote the report, and approved a sentence of exile from the U.S. Army
Buggery, Sodomy and Cross-Dressing, Oh My: A Timeline of Gay Criminalization in America
The history of gay criminalization in the United States — mostly in the form of anti-sodomy laws — is a complex one, but let’s break it all down
Gay history is all around us. You just have to know where to look.
The LGBTQ community has faced its fair share of struggles throughout history. From the infamous Stonewall incident of 1969 to the ongoing persecution of gay men and women around the world, there are so many aspects of our history that often go unnoticed.
As we try to forge a brighter future for everyone in the LGBTQ community, we can learn from the events of our past. LGBTQ history is about more than just overcoming adversity; it’s about cherishing and remembering all of the ways the LGBTQ community has influenced society as a whole over the years.
We are proud to pay tribute to the LGBTQ movers and shakers who have turned pop culture and gay history on its head. From centuries past to the latest in today’s headlines, celebrate gay history with a nod to those that dare to dream.