On this day in 2018 the Supreme Court in India decriminalised homosexuality ruling that section 377 of the country’s penal code was unconstitutional.
The law was a remnant from when the British ruled India, and like so many colonised nations that statute held the number 377. The laws had been in place since 1861 when Queen Victoria was the monarch.
In October 2023 the same court unanimously voted against allowing marriage equality, but reiterated the rights of LGBT citizens under the constitution and empowered parliament or state legislatures to enact their own laws to “meet challenges” faced by the LGBT community and regulate rights.
Sylvester was born on this day in 1947
Sylvester James was born in Los Angeles in 1947 and grew up singing in the gospel choir of his Pentecostal church. At the age of 22, he moved to San Francisco and joined a gender-bending cabaret troupe, becoming part of the city’s vibrant countercultural scene.
After several unsuccessful attempts to establish a music career, he signed with Fantasy Records and released his first disco album in 1977. The record featured backing singers Martha Wash, Izora Rhodes, who later performed as Two Tons of Fun and The Weather Girls, and Jeanie Tracy.
His second album brought his first major hit, the disco anthem You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real). The song became a defining moment in his career, and its video showcased Sylvester’s distinctive and fluid approach to gender expression.
He later worked with acclaimed disco producer Patrick Cowley and scored another hit in 1982 with Do You Wanna Funk?
Although he did not achieve the same commercial success with subsequent releases, many of his recordings have become favourites among DJs as disco has enjoyed renewed popularity. Tracks such as Stars and his rendition of I, Who Have Nothing have found new audiences in recent years.
New versions of his music have also been created by some of the world’s leading DJs. I Need Somebody Tonight received a celebrated remix from Psychemagik, while a recent 10-minute version of You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) was released by Soulwax.
Sylvester performed at Connections Nightclub for two nights in the mid-1980s. On one occasion, his show was significantly delayed, and he reportedly took to the stage and openly criticised the venue’s management. Despite the difficult start, the performance has been remembered as a sensational show.
Throughout his career, Sylvester said he was proud to represent the LGBT community. At the same time, he was known for challenging aspects of queer culture that he felt encouraged conformity.
During the AIDS epidemic, Sylvester was at the forefront of raising awareness about the crisis. When he died from an AIDS-related illness in 1988, he left all future royalties from his work to AIDS charities.
Actor Michael K Williams died in 2021
Actor Michael K. Williams, best known for playing Omar Little in The Wire, died on this day in 2021. He was 54 years old.
Williams’ character on The Wire was a fan favourite. Omar Little was a Robin Hood-like figure who navigated the rough streets of Baltimore. A feared stick-up artist who robbed street-level drug dealers with a shotgun, he was also portrayed as a gay man whose tenderness towards his partners stood in stark contrast to his criminal life. Critics praised Williams’ performance, with many describing Omar as one of television’s greatest characters.
Raised in Brooklyn, Williams began his career at New York’s National Black Theatre. He later cited Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation as a major inspiration for pursuing a career in dance. He went on to work with dance artist Kim Sims and appeared in music videos and tours with performers including Madonna, George Michael, and Crystal Waters.
Williams had a distinctive scar on his face, the result of a razor attack during a bar fight when he was 25 years old.
After appearing alongside Tupac Shakur in the film Bullet, he secured the role that would define his career in The Wire. Initially told he would appear in only seven episodes, Williams became one of the series’ central cast members and appeared across all five seasons.
He also featured in numerous other television series, including Law & Order, The Sopranos, Boston Legal, Alias, Community, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He appeared in a wide range of film roles as well.
Williams spoke openly about his struggles with substance use and addiction throughout his life. He was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment in September 2021. Authorities later determined that his death resulted from a combination of fentanyl, parafluorofentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
Williams is remembered not only for his remarkable performances, but also for the depth, humanity, and complexity he brought to many of his characters.
