On This Day in Queerstory: Kylie is born

May 28th is the birthday of a woman who was “drag king” before the term existed and a pop icon who became the ultimate “Ally-Mother” for the 21st century.

1907: The Birth of Gladys Bentley—The King of the Clam House

Born on this day in Philadelphia, Gladys Bentley became the undisputed star of the Harlem Renaissance. Clad in a white tuxedo and top hat, Bentley was a “Bulldagger” who didn’t just hide in the shadows; she owned the stage of the Ubangi Club.

She sang raunchy, improvised parodies of popular songs and flirted openly with the women in the audience. Bentley was an “adult” queer icon in every sense—she lived her life with a gender-nonconforming bravado that was a century ahead of its time. While she was later forced by the McCarthy era to “recant” her sexuality and marry a man, her heyday in the 1920s remains a pinnacle of queer Black excellence. She proved that you didn’t need to ask for permission to be the most masculine man in the room, even if you were a woman.

1968: The Birth of the “Impossible Princess”—Kylie Minogue

On May 28, 1968, in Melbourne, Australia, Kylie Minogue was born. While Kylie is straight, her relationship with the queer community is one of the most enduring and mutual love affairs in pop history.

From her early days as “The Singing Budgie” to her transformation into a dance-floor goddess, Kylie has leaned into the camp, the glitter, and the “outsider” joy of her queer fan base. Her 1997 album Impossible Princess (ironically released around her birthday) became a cult favorite for its exploration of shifting identities. Kylie isn’t just an ally; she is a “Gay Icon” because she understands the power of the “Showgirl”—the idea that no matter how much heartbreak you’re carrying, you put on the sequins and you get on the stage.

1988: Section 28—The British Gag Order

On May 28, 1988, the UK government under Margaret Thatcher enacted Section 28, a law that prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities and in schools. This was a dark, “adult” turning point in British history. It effectively silenced a generation of queer teachers and students, creating a “state-sponsored closet.”

However, Section 28 also acted as a catalyst for the modern British movement. It led directly to the formation of Stonewall UK and galvanized actors like Ian McKellen to come out and fight. May 28th is a day to remember that when the state tries to erase us, we don’t just disappear—we organize, we protest, and we eventually win the right to tell our stories in the classroom.

Image credit: Lukewill – Own work, Public Domain, Link