October 17

October 17,1920 - Actor Montgomery Clift is born in Omaha Nebraska. Clift brought in intensity to the screen that was studied by and copied by others, most notably Marlon Brando. His sexuality was carefully guarded from fans but few in Hollywood did not know. Clift burned himself out and was dead at the age of 46.

October 17-18, 1975 - Five Montreal gay bars, The Lime Light; Le Mystique; P.J.’s; Le Rocambole; and Au Taureau d’Or. are raided by police.

October 17, 1977 - An appeal of an obscenity conviction against Vancouver’s Gay Tide is heard before the Supreme Court of Canada. It is the first time a gay civil rights case heard by Supreme Court.

October 17, 1980 -The first Black Lesbian Conference began in San Francisco with nearly 200 women in attendance.

October 17-18, 1981 - In Fredericton, the third regional conference of the Atlantic Lesbian and Gay Association brings together the largest assembly of gays in New Brunswick.

October 17, 1990 - US Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL) insulted openly gay congressman Barney Frank during a budget debate, saying Frank does not know what is going on in Congress because he is toobusy performing quickie sex acts.

October 17, 1995 - The Advocate published an interview with Barney Frank, Gerry Studds, and Steve Gunderson, the three openly gay members of Congress.

October 17, 1997 - Donald Goor was installed as senior rabbi of Temple Judea of Tarzana in Los Angeles. The synagogue became the largest Jewish congregation to have an openly gay rabbi.

October 17, 1997 - The International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championship opened in San Diego California.

October 17, 1998 - Melinda Whiteway was appointed co-chair of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, making her the first transgendered person to co-chair a national gay and lesbian organization.