Celebrating Pride Month: First Los Angeles Pride Parade 1970

The first gay pride parade in Los Angeles was held June 28, 1970, the day after the first pride parade was held in Chicago.  The parades were started to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which occurred in New York City in 1969.

Soyuz T-9 launched 1983

Soyuz T-9 crew: Aleksandr Aleksandrov, Vladimir Lyakhov

Soyuz T-9, launched June 27, 1983, was the fourth expedition to the Salyut 7 space station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Vladimir Lyakhov and Aleksandr Aleksandrov.  The previous mission Soyuz T-8 and the next one, Soyuz T-10-1 both failed.

The crew returned to Earth in November.

Celebrating Pride Month: Lynn Riggs, openly gay Cherokee playwright

Lynn Riggs, born August 31, 1899 near Claremore, Oklahoma to a mother who was 1/8 Cherokee.  He started attending the University of Oklahoma in 1920 and taught English for a year, but developed tuberculosis and did not graduate.  After recuperating in Santa Fe, New Mexico he traveled to New York and began writing plays.

After receiving a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship in 1928, he traveled to Europe and began writing his most famous play Green Grow the Lilacs, while in Paris.

The play went onto become the musical and movie Oklahoma!

Being gay, he was often a non-romantic escort in Hollywood for actresses such as Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1943.

He passed away in NYC in June 1954 from stomach cancer.

Celebrating Pride Month: Ahmad Zahra, first openly gay Muslim to be elected to office in US

Ahmad Zahra, born and raised in Syria, is the first openly gay Muslim to be elected to office in the United States.  He was a tight race to win a seat on the Fullerton City Council, representing District 5 November 2018.  He ran on a platform of eliminating child poverty.  Other issues were environmental preservation and revitalizing Fullerton's economy.

He lives with Miguel, his partner of 15 years (probably 17 now)

Galileo convicted of heresy 1633

Galileo Galilei was convicted of heresy by the Catholic Church June 22, 1633, forcing one of the greatest scientists of all time to live his remaining years under house arrest.  The Inquisition charged Galileo with holding the opinion that the sun, not the Earth, is at the center of the universe (solar system), not the other way around as it had been declared by the Holy Scripture.  He was forced to "abjure, curse, and detest" his Copernican heliocentric views.

Galileo passed away in January 1642.

"Alien" released 1979

Ridley Scott's horror classic Alien was released into theatres June 22, 1979.  Its legacy is one of the most successful science fiction/horror franchises in history.  It starred Tom Skerritt (favorite), Sigourney Weaver (big favorite), and Veronica Cartwright (favorite). 

It won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.  It was nominated for Best Art Direction - Set Direction. Its soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith was nominated for a Grammy and a Golden Globe.

Alien won Saturn Awards for Best Science Fiction Film, Best Direction for Ridley Scott and Best Supporting Actress for Veronica Cartwright.  Sigourney Weaver was nominated for Best Actress.

In 2002, it was selected by the Library of Cngress for preservation in the National Film Registry.  The American Film Institute named it as the 7th best science fiction film.

"Number 96", Aussie television drama, first to feature an openly gay regular character

Number 96, an Australian soap opera, was the first television series to feature an openly gay character as a regular.  The show ran from 1972 to 1977 and covered many controversial topics.  Actor Joe Hasham played Don Finlayson, a lawyer who had a partner Dudley Butterfield, played Chard Hayward.  It also featured the first transgender character portrayed by a transfender actress, Carlotta.  The show also featured an interracial romance.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko!

Oleg Kononenko, born June 21, 1964 in the former Soviet Union, has been into space four times.

His first flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-12 to the International Space Station in April 2008.  He participated in Expedition 17 and returned to Earth in October 2008.

His second mission was as commander aboard Soyuz TMA-03M in December 2011 to the ISS.  He participated in Expeditions 30 and 31.  He returned to Earth in July 2012.

Kononenko's third flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-17M as commander to the ISS in July 2015.  He participated in Expeditions 44 and 45.  He returned to Earth in December 2015.

His fourth flight was aboard Soyuz MS-11 as commander to the ISS in June 2018.  He participated in Expeditions 58 and 59. He returned to Earth in December 2018.

He has conducted 4 EVAs for a total of 24 hours and 28 minutes.

"Jaws" released 1975

Steven Spielberg's blockbuster Jaws was released into theaters June 20, 1975.  It starred Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfus.  It was based on the novel by Peter Benchley about a great white shark terrorizing the town of Amity, a beach community in New York.

It won three Academy Awards: Best Sound, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score for John Williams. It was also nominated for Best Picture.  In 2001, the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.  The American Film Institute has listed it as #48 on the list of the greatest American movies of all time.  John Williams' score has been listed as #6 on 100 Years of Film Scores.  It is ranked as the second-most thrilling movie behind Psycho. 

Happy birthday, German astronaut Ulf Merbold!

Dr. Ulf Merbold, born June 20, 1941 in Germany, is a retired European Space Agency astronaut and went into space three times. 

His first mission was aboard Columbia (STS-9) as payload specialist in November-December 1983.  He is the first non-US citizen to reach orbit in a US spacecraft.

His second mission was aboard Discovery (STS-42) as payload specialist in January 1992.  The main goal of the mission was to study microgravity on different organisms.

His third and final mission was aboard Soyuz TM-20 as research cosmonaut to the space station Mir in October 1994.  He participated in a month-long expedition Euromir 94.  He returned to Earth in November 1994 on Soyuz TM-19.

Celebrating Pride Month: Gay Games IV Opening Ceremonies 1994

The Gay Games' fourth event opened in New York City, June 18, 1994.  It coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.  They lasted eight days, ending on June 25 with Sir Ian McKellen giving the closing address.  More than 15,000 people participated in the sporting events or in cultural cerremonies.  New event included flag football, figure skating and women's wrestling.

Celebrating Pride Month: Alan G. Rogers, first openly gay casualty of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Major Alan Greg Rogers, born September 21, 1967, was the first known gay combat fatality of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was an ordained pastor, an intelligence officer and an activist in the LGBT military community.  He was killed by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad on January 27, 2008.

It was only after his death when it was revealed that he was and had worked to end the military's "Don't Ask. Don't Tell." policy.

Soyuz TMA-19 launched 2010

Soyuz TMA-19 crew (L-R): Douglas Wheelock, Shannon Walker, Fyodor Yurchikhin

Mission patch

Soyuz TMA-19, launched June 16, 2010 (America time), carried members of Expedition 24 to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (Roscosmos), Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock.  The spacecraft remained docked to the ISS for Expeditions 24 and 25.  The crew returned to Earth November 2010.

Happy birthday, Taylor Wang, first Chinese astronaut!

Taylor Wang, born June 16, 1940 in the Republic of China, is the first Chinese astronaut.  He went into space aboard Challenger (STS-51-B) as payload specialist in April-May 1985.  He was employed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the time.  It was the second mission of the European Space Agency's Spacelab.  He spent about 7 days in space.

Celebrating Pride Month: Rosemary Ketchum, first openly transgender elected official In West Virginia

Rosemary Ketchum, an openly transgender woman, won a seat on the Wheeling City Council earlier this week, making her the first to be elected in West Virginia.

She said her platform was not based on  her gender, but focused on affordable housing and opioid addiction.  She is one of 27 openly transgender officials in the United States.

Venera 4 launches to Venus 1967

Venera 4, launched June 12, 1967, is the first spacecraft to survive entry into another planet's atmosphere.  The Soviets sent Venera 4 to Venus, and it arrived October 18, 1967 and entered the Venusian atmosphere.  The descent lasted 93 seconds, but it managed to relay some important information.  It measured temperature at 504 °F and pressure at 22 x the Earth's.  Atmospheric composition was determined to be 90-93% carbon dioxide, 7% nitrogen, 0.1-1.6% water vapor and 0.4-0.8% oxygen.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Yuri Baturin!

Yuri Baturin, born June 12, 1949 in Moscow, Russia, is a veteran of two space flights.

His first mission was aboard Soyuz TM-28 to the space station Mir in August 1998.  He was part of the expedition Mir EP-4 and stayed on board for over 11 days.  He returned to Earth on Soyuz TM-27.

His second and final mission was aboard Soyuz TM-32 in April 2001 to the International Space Station.  He was part of ISS EP-1 and remained on board for almost 8 days.  He returned to Earth on Soyuz TM-31.

Prior to becoming an astronaut,Baturin was an Assistant to the President for Boris Yeltsin.

Happy birthday, Gemini and Apollo astronaut James McDivitt!

James McDivitt, born June 10, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, participated in both Gemini and Apollo programs.   He joined the US Air Force in 1951 and retired as brigadier general in 1972.

His first trip into space was as commander of Gemini IV in June 1965.  Fellow astronaut Edward White conducted the first EVA by an American during the mission.

His second and final mission was aboard Apollo 9 as commander in March 1969.  It was the first flight of the full Apollo spacecraft, with the command and service module (CSM) and the Lunar Module (LM).  The mission lasted ten days.

Cyndi Lauper wins Tony Award for Best Score 2013

Pop diva Cyndi Lauper won the Tony for Best Original Score for the musical Kinky Boots at the 67th Tony Awards Ceremony June 9, 2013.  Kinky Boots was nominated for 13 Tony awards and won 6 that night.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Drew Gaffney!

Drew Gaffney, born June 9, 1946 in Carlsbad, New Mexico, went into space aboard Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-40) as payload specialist in June 1991.  Gaffney used his experience as a doctor and in cardiac research to study life sciences, the primary goal of the mission.

He stayed in space just over 9 days.

Celebrating Pride Month: James Cooper, first openly gay OKC Councilman

James Cooper was sworn in April 2019 as Oklahoma City's first openly gay city councilman.  He had previously served on OKC's transportation board and campaigned to expand public transit.  Mayor David Holt welcomed Cooper who was 37 at the time as bringing in "new energy". 

Remembering Bonnie Pointer (1950-2020)

Bonnie Pointer, born July 11, 1950 and a founding member of the Grammy-winning, ground-breaking Pointer Sisters, passed away earlier today.  She and baby sister June started singing as teenagers and in 1969, Anita joined the pair and they changed their name to the Pointer Sisters.  In 1972, big sister Ruth joined and they released their debut album in 1973.

Bonnie co-wrote their country hit Fairytale with Anita, which won their first Grammy Award.  She is survived by her two sisters Ruth and Anita.

Atlantis (STS-117) launched 2007

STS-117 crew (L-R): Clayton Anderson, James Reilly, Steven Swanson, Frederick Sturckow, Lee Archambault, Patrick Forrester, John Olivas

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-117), launched June 8, 2007, carried a truss segment and a set of solar arrays to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Frederick Sturckow, Pilot Lee Archambault, Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, John Olivas, James Reilly and Clayton Anderson. 

Reilly, Olivas, Forrester, and Swanson performed four EVAs for a combined total of 28 hours.  They returned to Earth June 22.

Happy birthday Space Shuttle astronaut Stanley Love!

Stanley Love, born June 8, 1965 in San Diego, California, went into space aboard Atlantis (STS-122) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in February 2008. During the mission he conducted two EVAs with fellow astronaut Rex Walheim.

Celebrating Pride Month: Jackie Biskupski, first openly gay mayor of Salt Lake City

Jackie Biskupski is the first openly gay mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, a Democratic politician, and the second female mayor of the city.  She served from 2016-2020.  was a member of the Utah House of Representatives from 1999-2011.  She lives in Salt Lake City with her wife Betty Iverson and their sons, Archie and Jack.

She did not seek a second term, citing a "serious and complex family situation".

Soyuz ТМ-5 launched 1988

Soyuz TM-5 crew (L-R):  Viktor Savinyhk, Anatoly Solovyev, Aleksandr Aleksandrov

Mission patch

Soyuz TM-5, launched June 7, 1988, was the fifth manned mission to the space station Mir.  Its crew consisted of Commander Anatoly Solovyev, Viktor Savinnykh and Aleksandr Aleksandrov.  They were the crew of Mir EP-2. 

Soyuz TM-5 returned to Earth in September with Vladimir Lyakhov and Abdul Ahad Mohmand. 

Happy birthday, astronaut Anne McClain!

Anne McClain, born June 7, 1979 in Spokane, Washington, went into space aboard Soyuz MS-11 as flight engineer in December 2018 to the International Space Station.  She participated in Expeditions 58 and 59 before returning to Earth in June 2019.

Celebrating Pride Month: Amir Ohana, first openly gay minister in the Israeli government

Amir Ohana, born March 15, 1976, is an Israeli lawyer, who is the first openly gay minister in the Israeli legislature.  He was appointed the Minister of Justice in 2019.  Currently he is the Minister of Public Security.

He lives in Tel Aviv with his partner Alon Hadad and their two children.

Soyuz 34 launched 1979

Soyuz 34, launched June 6, 1979, was an unmanned spacecraft sent to supply the Salyut 6's resident crew after Soyuz 33 suffered engine failure.  Soyuz 34 returned to Earth on August 19, bringing Vladimir Lyakhov and Valery Ryumin home.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Jay Buckey!

Jay Buckey, Jr., born June 6, 1956 in New York City, New York, went into space once aboard Columbia (STS-90) as payload specialist in April-May 1998.  He conducted experiments with Neurolab, a Spacelab module focusing on the effects of microgravity on the human nervous sytem.

Celebrating Pride Month: AIDS first reported 1981

June 5, 1981, Dr. Michael Gottlieb reported an epidemic disease, which would later be known as AIDS, in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the news letter of the Center for Disease Control.  It was the first notice published on AIDS.

He was one of the first researchers to test AZT on AIDS patients.

Soyuz T-2 launched 1980

Soyuz T-2 crew: Yury Malyshev, Vladimir Aksyonov

Soyuz T-2, launched June 5, 1980, was the 10th successful mission to the space station Salyut 6. Its crew consisted of Commander Yury Malyshev and Vladimir Aksyonov. They were the second crew to visit the resident long-duration crew of Soyuz 35. Soyuz T-2 was mainly to test the new Soyuz T spacecraft with a crew. Soyuz T-1 was unmanned.
They returned to Earth June 9.

Richard Searfoss, Space Shuttle astronaut, born 1956

Richard Searfoss, born June 5, 1956 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, was a veteran of three space shuttle flights.

His first mission was aboard Columbia (STS-58) as pilot in October 1993.  He and fellow astronaut John Blaha communictated with school children via an on-board ham radio.

His second mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-76) as pilot to Mir in March 1996.  It was the third space shuttle mission to Mir.

His third and final flight was back on Columbia (STS-90) as commander in April-May 1998.  It was the last flight of the European Space Agency's Spacelab module.

He passed away in September 2018.

Agnes Moorehead wins Primetime Emmy for Supporting Actress 1967

The incomparable Agnes Moorehead won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role ina Drama, at the 19th Primetime Emmy awards ceremony June 4, 1967.  She won the award for her portrayal of Emma Valentine in Wild, Wild West. 

The same night she was also up for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series for her role as Endora on Bewitched.  She and Elizabeth Montgomery both lost to Lucille Ball.

Other winners that night were The Monkees for Outstanding Comedy Series, Bill Cosby for I Spy, and Don Adams for Get Smart.  Don Knotts won his fifth Emmy for his role as Barney Fife, a record that hasn't been broken.

Star Trek received a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series but lost to Mission: Impossible.

"Poltergeist" released 1982

Poltergeist, written and produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper, was released June 4, 1982.  It starred Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Dominique Dunne, Oliver Robins and Heather O'Rourke. 

It opened to mostly favorable reviews and was the highest-grossing horror film of 1982.  The New York Times named it as one of the Best 1000 Movies Ever Made.  The American Film Institute ranked it #84 on its AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills.  The line "They're here" was named the 69th greatest movie quote on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes.

Poltergeist was nominated for three Oscars.  It won three Saturn Awards for Best Horror Film, Best Makeup and Best Supporting Actress for Zelda Rubinstein who played the parapsychologist Tangina.

Celebrating Pride Month: Compton's Cafeteria riot 1966

In Auigust 1966, the Compton's Cafeteria Riot occured, one of the first LGBT-related riots in US history, preceding the more famous Stonewall Riots by three years.  The restaurant, one of a chain of cafeterias in San Francisco, was in the Tenderloin location of the city.  It was one of the few places where transfender people could congregate publicly, since they were not welcome in gay bars due to transphobia.

The staff at Compton's Cafeteria began to complain to police about the transgender people at the restaurant, and implemented a fee aimed directly at the transgender community to try to get them to leave the restaurant.  One night the police were called because some of the transgender customers became 'raucous' and one transwomen threw her coffee in a police officer's face when he tried to arrest her. The riot erupted and a police car had all its windows broken out. 

More rioting occurred the second night and more members of the LGBT community joined picket lines.  Exact dates of the riots are unknown since police records from that time no longer exist and it was not covered by the media.

It marked a turning point in the local LGBT movement.  A network of transgender social, psychological, and medical support services was established.  It led to the creation of the National Transsexual Counseling Unit in 1968, the first such organization in the world.

Happy birthday, astronaut Shannon Walker!

Shannon Walker, born June 4, 1965 in Houston, Texas, went into space aboard Soyuz TMA-19 to the International Space Station in June 2010.  She participated in Expeditions 24 and 25 before returning to Earth in November after more than 163 days in space.

She is scheduled to return to the ISS in August of this year aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft USCV-1.

Celebrating Pride Month: Gold Coast, first gay leather bar 1958

America's first gay leather bar, the Gold Coast, opened in Chicago in 1958, by Dom Orejudos and Chuck Renslow.  Orejudos also became known by his pen name Etienne, who produced leather-themed gay male erotica.

Gemini IX-A launched 1966

Gemini IX-A crew: Tom Stafford, Gene Cernan

Mission patch

Gemini IX-A, launched June 3, 1966, was the seventh crewed Gemini flight.  Its crew consisted of Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan.  Elliott See was intended to be the commander and Charles Bassett to be pilot, but they were killed in a training accident in February.

The main objective was to dock with the Agena Target Vehicle, but because of a launch preparation error on the target vehicle, they were unable to.

The second objective was for Cernan to conduct an EVA and test the Air Force's Astronaut Maneuvering Unit, but this was not achieved since Cernan experienced cardiac stress, overheating and fatigue during the EVA.

The third objective, carrying out scientific experiments, was completed.

They returned to Earth June 6.

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" final episode airs 1999

The final episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, What You Leave Behind, aired June 2, 1999.  The show ran for seven seasons starting in 1993.  It won four Primetime Emmys: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series (1995) for the episode Distant Voices; in 1993, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Main Title Theme Music; Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series for the episode Captive Pursuits; Outstanding Individual Achievement in Special Visual Effects.

Its phenomenal cast included Avery Brooks as Commander Sisko, Nana Visitor as Major Kira, Rene Auberjonois as Odo, Terry Farrell as Jadzia Dax, Cirroc Lofton as Jake, Alexander Siddig as Dr. Bashir, Colm Meaney as Chief O'Brien and Armin Shimerman as Quark.

Michael Dorn joined the cast as Worf in 1995. 

Discovery (STS-91) launched 1998

STS-91 crew

Front row (L-R): Dominic Gorie, Charles Precourt

Back row (L-R): Wendy Lawrence, Franklin Chang-Diaz, Janet Kavandi, Valery Ryumin, Andrew Thomas

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-91), launched June 2, 1998, was the final mission to the space station Mir.  Its crew consisted of Commander Charles Precourt, Pilot Dominic Gorie, Franklin Chang-Diaz, Wendy Lawrence, Janet Kavandi and Valery Ryumin (Roscosmos).

Andrew Thomas joined the crew of Discovery, after he had spent 130 days on Mir.  They returned to Earth June 12.

Celebrating Pride Month: Richard A. Heyman, first openly gay mayor of Key West

Richard A. Heyman was the first openly gay mayor of Key West, Florida, and one of the first openly gay public officials in the United States.  He served Key West from 1983-1985 and 1987-1989.  Under his administration, he made it illegal for Key West employers to fire staff who had HIV/AIDS.

He passed away of AIDS-related pneumonia in September 1994.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Mark Polansky!

Mark Polansky, born June 2, 1958 in Paterson, New Jersey, is a veteran of three space shuttle missions.

His first mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-98) as pilot to the International Space Station in February 2001.  The crew delivered the Destiny Laboratory Module, the first NASA lab to be permanently used since Skylab.

His second mission was aboard Discovery (STS-116) as commander to the ISS in December 2006.  His wake up song was Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles.

His third and final trip was aboard Endeavour (STS-127) as commander to the ISS in July 2009.  He must really love Here Comes the Sun.

Celebrating Pride Month: Tavern Guild in San Francisco, first gay business association

The Tavern Guild, formed in 1962 in San Francisco, was the first assocation of gay businesses.  Gay bar owners and employees began tired of constantly being harassed by city authorities for serving gay customers, which was forbidden.  Finally, they banded together to help each other out, by presenting a united front.  They developed a phone network to track police raids.  They organized fundraisers and charity events, which were extremely successful and important, including the Beaux Arts Ball, the first large public drag ball.  It was held from 1963 into the late 1970s.  They contacted beer and liquor manufacturers and distributors for help in their fight against the police and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

The association lasted until 1995.

Georgy Dobrovolsky, Soyuz 11 cosmonaut, born June 1, 1928

Georgy Dobrovolsky, born June 1, 1928 in Odessa, Ukraine, was commander of the ill-fated Soyuz 11 mission.  He and fellow cosmonauts Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev took off June 6, 1971 and became the first crew to successfully dock with Salyut 1.  Unfortunately, he and his crew perished when a valve accidentally opened up during re-entry, suffocating the crew.  Dobrovolsky and his comrades as of now are the only people to have died in space.