Queer History: September

I can’t help being a little vain, since this month brings my birthday, but how exciting for not just me, but all queerdom that this month also lets us celebrate so many more exciting birthdays?

Truman Capote, a personal favorite, joined us in 1924. Later he would give the world both Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood, alongside some impressive short stories that remind us the Southern U.S. has never been as uncultured or illiterate as the stereotype would have it.In 1942 and until 2004, we also had cause to celebrate the life and heroic work of Gloria E. Anzaldúa. Her best known work Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza still poses a fierce intellectual challenge to mainstream notions of identity and marginalization.

Then in 1946 came a man whose astonishing voice and magnificent presence is still felt by any who love to rock, none other than Freddie Mercury, frontman for Queen and inspiration on no less than 3 generations of musicians and performers.

And though it breaks my heart to acknowledge those younger than myself, and who show no signs of slowing down either, we should also congratulate Teagan and Sara Quinn, indie rocking twins who, born in 1980, will be 33 years old each, to my 34. I wish I could tell you it gets easier, sisters!Whether it’s your birthday or not, I hope your month has been filled with celebrations, be it large like Dallas’ annual Pride march which just passed, or something more intimate. Special thanks to PQ Monthly for keeping the history alive.

Featured image shows the “Homomonument” in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, which memorializes gays and lesbians who’ve suffered persecution. It was opened to the public on September 5th, 1987