The same rule always applies

The Penitent Magdalen by Georges de La Tour, European Paintings

The documentary includes a brief clip of a 1954 televised newscast about the rise of homosexuality. The host of the program interviewed psychologists, a police officer, and one “known homosexual”. The “known homosexual” is 22 years old. He identifies himself as Curtis White, which is a pseudonym; his name is actually Dale Olson.

So I tracked down the newscast. According to what I can find, Dale Olson may have been the first gay man to appear openly on television and defend his sexual orientation. He explains that there’s nothing wrong with him mentally and he’s never been arrested. When asked whether he’d take a cure if it existed, he says no. When asked whether his family knows he’s gay, he says that they didn’t up until tonight, but he guesses they’re going to find out, and he’ll probably be fired from his job as well. So of course the host is like …why are you doing this interview then? and Dale Olson, cool as cucumber pie, says “I think that this way I can be a little useful to someone besides myself.”

1954. 22 years old. Balls of pure titanium.

Despite the pseudonym, Dale’s boss did indeed recognize him from the TV program, and he was promptly fired the next day. He wrote into ONE magazine six months later to reassure readers that he had gotten a new job at a higher salary.

Curious about what became of him, I looked into his life a little further. It turns out that he ultimately became a very successful publicity agent. He promoted the Rocky movies and Superman. Not only that, but get this: Dale represented Rock Hudson, and he was the person who convinced him to disclose that he had AIDS! He wrote the statement Rock read. And as we know, Rock Hudson’s disclosure had a very significant effect on the national conversation about AIDS in the U.S.

Little Rabbit

Dress

c.1903-1908

United States

Admission ticket to a Ball at Carpenter’s Hall, London Wall, on February 5th, 1851.

Image and text information courtesy V&A.

Front cover of ‘Jugend’ magaine (1901) with an illustration of ‘Brita as Iduna’ by Carl Larsson (1853–1919).

View of poster for the 1910 New York Auto Show held at the Grand Central Palace, depicting Mercury wearing goggles and winged helmet and driving an automobile. Printed on poster: “Automobile Show, New Grand Central Palace, January 10th - 17th.” Stamped on back: “N. Lazarnick, commercial photographers, makers of industrial motion pictures, 246 W. 42d St., N.Y., Tel. Chickering 1717-18. 5005 Euclid Ave., Cleve., Randolph 7852.” Handwritten on back: “Shows–New York Auto Show, 1910.”