October 24th in Queer History: Activism, Fashion, Literature, Politics, Porn, Sodomy Execution, Theatre,

Born this day:

Moss Hart (1904 – 1961)

American playwright and theatre director, best known for his interpretations of musical theater on Broadway. Married and a father, but known by his friends to have been gay.

 Neal Blewett (1933 – )

Australian Politician

Ronnie Kray ( 1933 – 1995), Reggie Kray ( 1933 – 200) 

UK Crime Bosses

Paula Gunn Allen (1934 – 2008)

US Poet / Literary Critic / Lesbian activist / Author

Mathilde Santing ( 1958 – )

Dutch Singer

BD Wong (1960 –)

US Singer / Dancer / Actor

Emma Donoghue (1969 –)

Irish Playwright / Author / Historian

Raul Esparza (1970 –  )

US Actor

Van Darkholme (1972 -)

US Porn / Actor / Director /

Renee Pornero (1979 ––)

Austrian Porn

Zac Posen (1980 – )

US Fashion Designer

Tila Tequila (1981 – )

US Model / Singer

Died this day:

Jerome Duquesnoy II  (1612 - 1664 )

Flemish sculptor executed for sodomy,

Caroline Spurgeon ( 1869 -1942)

UK Literary Critic / Lecturer / Author

John Sex (1956 - 1990)

US Entertainer / Performance Artist

Harry Hay (1912 - 2002 )

UK / US Activist

Sodomy Laws in History, October 24

1664  - Flemish sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy II  executed for sodomy,

1901 — The Illinois Supreme Court refuses to overrule its 1897 decision that fellatio violates the state’s sodomy law.

1912 — The Arizona Supreme Court rules that fellatio is not outlawed by the term "crime against nature."

1921 — The Arkansas Supreme Court upholds the state’s sodomy against a vagueness challenge.

1945 — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rules that the sodomy law is not so broad as to cover kissing or shaking hands.

1956 — The Florida Supreme Court overturns a sodomy conviction because the defendant was found guilty by a judge before he had rested his case.

Source:
Calendar of Sodomy, October