Notable Figures in LGBTQ+ History

The LGBTQ+ movement has been shaped by numerous individuals who have courageously fought for equality, visibility, and justice.

Audre Lorde (1934-1992)

Role: Poet, Writer, Activist

Contribution: Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian feminist, poet, and essayist whose work focused on the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class. Her writings, including “Sister Outsider” and “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name,” have become seminal texts in both feminist and LGBTQ+ studies. Lorde’s work as an activist extended beyond her writing; she co-founded the Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, the first U.S. publisher for women of color. Lorde’s legacy is one of advocating for social justice through both intellectual and grassroots activism.

Barbara Gittings (1932-2007)

Role: Activist, LGBTQ+ Rights Pioneer

Contribution: Barbara Gittings was a prominent activist in the early LGBTQ+ rights movement, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. She was the editor of the Daughters of Bilitis’ publication The Ladder and was a key figure in the campaign to remove homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental disorders. Gittings also worked tirelessly to promote LGBTQ+ visibility in libraries and fought against censorship, believing that access to information was a critical part of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)

Role: Civil Rights Leader, LGBTQ+ Activist

Contribution: Bayard Rustin was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement and a close advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rustin was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Despite his significant contributions, Rustin was often marginalized within the Civil Rights Movement due to his sexuality. In his later years, Rustin became more vocal about his identity as a gay man and advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, arguing that civil rights must include the rights of all marginalized people.

Christine Jorgensen (1926-1989)

Role: Actress, Transgender Pioneer

Contribution: Christine Jorgensen was one of the first people to become widely known in the United States for undergoing sex reassignment surgery. Her transition in the early 1950s made international headlines, and she became a public figure, advocating for transgender rights and educating the public about gender identity. Jorgensen used her platform to challenge societal norms and raise awareness about transgender issues, becoming a pioneering figure in the fight for transgender visibility.

Edie Windsor (1929-2017)

Role: LGBTQ+ Rights Activist

Contribution: Edie Windsor was the lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor (2013), which struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and was a critical step toward marriage equality in the United States. After the death of her wife, Thea Spyer, Windsor challenged the U.S. government’s refusal to recognize their marriage, leading to a historic victory for LGBTQ+ rights. Windsor’s case paved the way for the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Ellen DeGeneres (1958-)

Role: Comedian, Actress, Television Host

Contribution: Ellen DeGeneres made history in 1997 when she came out as gay on her television sitcom “Ellen,” in what became a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in the media. Her public coming out was met with both praise and backlash, but it marked a turning point in the acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in mainstream entertainment. DeGeneres went on to become a successful talk show host, using her platform to promote kindness, acceptance, and LGBTQ+ issues.

Frank Kameny (1925-2011)

Role: Activist, Astronomer

Contribution: Frank Kameny was a pioneering LGBTQ+ rights activist who is often referred to as one of the “fathers” of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. Fired from his job as an astronomer with the U.S. government in 1957 because he was gay, Kameny fought back by filing one of the first civil rights claims based on sexual orientation. He co-founded the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., and was a leader in the fight to decriminalize homosexuality and remove the stigma associated with being gay. His efforts laid the groundwork for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Harvey Milk (1930-1978)

Role: Politician, Activist

Contribution: Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, serving as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Elected in 1977, Milk was an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and fought against discrimination. His political success was a landmark victory for the LGBTQ+ community and helped to inspire a generation of activists. Milk was tragically assassinated in 1978, but his life and work continue to serve as an enduring symbol of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.

James Baldwin (1924-1987)

Role: Writer, Civil Rights Activist

Contribution: James Baldwin was a renowned African American writer and social critic whose works explored complex issues of race, sexuality, and identity. In novels like “Giovanni’s Room,” Baldwin addressed themes of homosexuality and bisexuality, making him one of the first Black authors to openly discuss these topics. Baldwin’s essays, such as “The Fire Next Time,” also critiqued the American social and political landscape, and his activism was integral to both the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Larry Kramer (1935-2020)

Role: Playwright, Activist

Contribution: Larry Kramer was a passionate activist and playwright whose work was central to the fight against the AIDS epidemic. He co-founded the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) in 1982, the world’s first organization dedicated to addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis. Frustrated with the lack of government response to the epidemic, Kramer later co-founded ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), which used direct action to demand more attention and resources for those affected by AIDS. His play “The Normal Heart” remains one of the most powerful depictions of the early years of the AIDS crisis.

Laverne Cox (1972-)

Role: Actress, Producer, Transgender Rights Advocate

Contribution: Laverne Cox is an Emmy-nominated actress best known for her role in the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black.” She is the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category and has become a leading advocate for transgender rights. Cox has used her visibility to educate the public on transgender issues and to advocate for the rights and dignity of transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color.

Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992)

Role: Activist, Drag Queen

Contribution: Marsha P. Johnson was a prominent figure in the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), which provided support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth and sex workers in New York City. Johnson was a trailblazer for transgender rights and a tireless advocate for the most marginalized within the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender women of color. Her activism has left a lasting legacy, and she is remembered as a symbol of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

RuPaul Charles (1960-)

Role: Drag Queen, Actor, Musician, Television Host

Contribution: RuPaul is one of the most famous drag queens in the world and a trailblazer in bringing drag culture into the mainstream. His television show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” has become a global phenomenon, celebrating drag as an art form and providing a platform for LGBTQ+ performers. RuPaul has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has used his fame to promote acceptance and understanding of diverse identities.

Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002)

Role: Activist, Co-founder of STAR

Contribution: Sylvia Rivera was a Latina transgender activist who, alongside Marsha P. Johnson, co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries). Rivera was a vocal advocate for transgender rights and was deeply involved in the Gay Liberation Movement following the Stonewall Riots. She fought against the exclusion of transgender people from the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement, arguing that the fight for gay rights should include the rights of all gender-nonconforming people. Her legacy is celebrated for her dedication to justice and inclusion

These figures represent just a few of the many individuals who have shaped LGBTQ+ history. Their contributions have paved the way for greater acceptance, equality, and visibility for LGBTQ+ people around the world.