Looking Back at Gay History: 1981

Feb 5, 1981 - 305 men are arrested in a raid on four bathhouses in Toronto, the largest mass arrest of civilians in Canadian history.

March 30, 1981 - The Village People's movie, Can't Stop the Music, has the distinction of winning the first Golden Raspberry Award, as worst movie of 1980. 

May 1, 1981 - Billie Jean King's longtime female secretary files a palimony suit, making their relationship public.  

May 20, 1981 - March of the Falsettos opens off-Broadway.

July 3, 1981 - A front page article in the New York Times reports on "Rare Cancer Seen in Homosexuals."

July 29, 1981 - Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer.

Sept 19, 1981 - Mommie Dearest opens.

Oct 2, 1981 - German film Taxi zum Clo ("Taxi to the Toilet") opens at the New York Film Festival.

Oct 31, 1981 - Producer Patrick Cowley's techno composition Menergy is the new #1 song on Billboard's dance chart.

Nov 16, 1981 - Olivia Newton John's single Physical begins its first of ten weeks at the top of the charts.  The song's video has a gay twist at the end.

Dec 8, 1981 - The NYC Gay Men's Chorus holds its Christmas concert at Carnegie Hall for the first time (and would do so for the next 27 years). 

Dec 20, 1981 - Dreamgirls opens on Broadway.