August 5–21, 2016:
The Summer Olympics in Rio had a record number of openly LGBTQ athletes—at least 41—competing, up from just 23 four years earlier. The world got a little gayer during the games.
August 8, 1978:
The International Lesbian and Gay Association was founded, which now has consultative status at the United Nations. From small beginnings, big queer voices grew!
August 29, 1867:
Karl Heinrich Ulrichs became the first person to speak
publicly for gay and lesbian rights, paving the way for thousands of
bold voices.
In August 1966,
the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot happened in San Francisco—a
lesser-known, pre-Stonewall LGBTQ uprising led by trans women and drag
queens. The revolution didn’t just start in New York, and it definitely
included fierce Black and Brown queens.
On August 3, 1974,
the “Lesbian Connection” magazine began
publication—one of the earliest, long-running lesbian publications in
the U.S., packed with wit and important community news.
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August was originally called Sextilis in Latin, as it was the sixth
month of the original ten-month Roman calendar before January and
February were added.
In 8 BCE, the Roman Senate renamed Sextilis to August in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar, after his notable triumphs during that month.
