Influential LGBTQ+ Activists

These influential LGBTQ+ activists have shaped the fight for rights and visibility within the community. Their legacies highlight the importance of representation, intersectionality, and advocacy, making them essential figures in understanding LGBTQ+ history and ongoing struggles for equality.

1. Harvey Milk

   • First openly gay elected official in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
   • Advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, including anti-discrimination laws and the right to serve in the military.
   • Assassinated in 1978, his legacy continues to inspire LGBTQ+ activism and representation in politics.

2. Marsha P. Johnson

   • Key figure in the Stonewall uprising of 1969, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
   • Co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) to support homeless transgender and LGBTQ+ youth.
   • Worked tirelessly for AIDS activism and was a prominent figure in the fight against discrimination.

3. Sylvia Rivera

   • Co-founder of STAR alongside Marsha P. Johnson, focusing on the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
   • Advocated for the inclusion of transgender people in the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement.
   • Fought against the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people of color and worked to address issues of poverty and homelessness.

4. Audre Lorde

   • Renowned poet, essayist, and activist who addressed issues of race, gender, and sexuality.
   • Advocated for intersectionality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing overlapping identities in the fight for social justice.
   • Her work continues to influence feminist and LGBTQ+ movements, particularly in discussions of identity and empowerment.

5. Larry Kramer

   • Co-founder of the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and the activist group ACT UP, focusing on AIDS awareness and treatment.
   • Known for his outspoken criticism of government inaction during the AIDS crisis and for advocating for LGBTQ+ health rights.
   • His play "The Normal Heart" brought attention to the AIDS epidemic and the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

6. Bayard Rustin

   • Key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, advocating for civil rights and social justice.
   • Openly gay, Rustin faced discrimination within the civil rights movement but remained a vital strategist and advisor.
   • His work emphasized the intersection of race, class, and sexuality in the fight for equality.

7. Barbara Gittings

   • Early LGBTQ+ activist who fought for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ issues in the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual.
   • Organized the first LGBTQ+ pride events in the U.S. and was a key figure in the fight for marriage equality.
   • Advocated for LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in literature and media.

8. Stormé DeLarverie

   • Often referred to as the "Rosa Parks of the LGBTQ+ movement," she played a significant role in the Stonewall uprising.
   • A butch lesbian and drag king, she advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility throughout her life.
   • Worked to support LGBTQ+ youth and was a prominent figure in the fight against discrimination.

9. Laverne Cox

   • First openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for acting.
   • Advocates for transgender rights and visibility in media, using her platform to address issues of discrimination and violence against transgender individuals.
   • Her work has helped to raise awareness and foster discussions about gender identity and representation.

10. Edith Windsor

    • Key figure in the fight for marriage equality, her case (United States v. Windsor) led to the Supreme Court striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 2013.
    • Advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and the recognition of same-sex marriage, significantly impacting legal rights for same-sex couples.
    • Her legacy continues to influence ongoing discussions about marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.