Today in Gay History - 11/20/11: Sodomy Laws, S&M, Drag Parties and Jamie Nabozny

[WillParkinson]

November 20

November 20, 1901 - A policeman in Mexico City stopped to investigate a loud party. When he knocked the door was opened by a man in women's clothing. When reinforcements arrived the party was raided and 42 people were arrested. One was later released after police said she was discovered to be a real woman. Rumors spread that the person who was released was not a woman, but a close relative of President Diaz in drag.

November 20, 1934 - "The Children's Hour," a play by Lillian Hellman in which two school teachers are accused of having a lesbian relationship, opened on Broadway.

November 20, 1975 - Members of the Austin Lesbian Organization and Gay Community Services picketed the Austin-American Statesman for refusing to run ads for gay organizations and running housing and employment ads which specified "no gays." The paper agreed the next month not to print ads which state "no gays," and began printing ads from gay and lesbian organizations the following April when the Austin City Council passed a Public Accommodations Ordinance which outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation.

November 20, 1990 - A London judge convicted 14 gay men of committing criminal assaults upon themselves because of their participation in s&m. All 14 receive prison sentences.

November 20, 1995 - Steven Powsner, who had been president of the New York City Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center from 1992-1994, died of complications from AIDS at age 40.

November 20, 1996 - The Ashland Wisconsin school district agreed to pay former student Jamie Nabozny $900,000 in damages. While he was a student, administrators took no action to alleviate the physical and verbal abuse he suffered because he was gay.

November 20, 1998 - John Geddes Lawrence and Tyrone Garner of Texas were ordered to pay fines of $125 each after being arrested for having sex in their home. The couple refused to pay and announced they would challenge the Texas sodomy law.

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[queerart]

2. K & R n/t

[Not Me]

3. Thanks WillParkinson

I really appreciate these.

[WillParkinson]

4. And I appreciate that fact. :)

Glad to know our history is important, at least to us.

[William769]

5. Recommended.

[NMMNG]

6. K&R

These are important and helpful lessons.