Celebrating LGBTQIA+ People in History and Now

I will always use my blog space to support and celebrate people in this community during Pride month every June (and I obviously support and celebrate them personally myself all year round). It is vital now more than ever, to let folk know that they are not on their own. I have decided to celebrate members of this community and some of their allies (past and present) that have done, and are doing, wonderful things to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights.

What is LGBTQIA+?

This is a loosely defined grouping of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual individuals, and the ‘+’ holds space for everyone else, who have diverse gender and sexual identities.

Safe Space Alliance

I’m proud to say that Soul Space Ltd has recently become a supporter of this organisation. The Safe Space Alliance is an LGBTQIA+ led nonprofit organisation that helps people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide. Their two core activities include maintaining a directory of spaces around the world that welcome and support LGBTQIA+ communities, and helping these people to get to safety. Being part of the Safe Space Alliance is being part of a global and collaborative network, that welcomes and supports LGBTQIA+ communities.

People to Celebrate and Appreciate

People in the LGBTQIA+ community often experience homophobia, transphobia, hatred and judgement, just for being themselves, and trying to live an authentic life, which the rest of us take for granted. I believe they deserve to be supported and celebrated, so I wanted to share some of these amazing people this month, who have made real contributions in their own fields (from art and culture, music and sports, to scientific advancements, political activism and social reforms), whilst all the time inspiring others to live their own truths, and make a difference.

Some of the people on these lists are not from the community themselves, but have fought hard to bring equality to all, so are also deserving of recognition. I have only written a little about each person, but they are all worthy of further reading, respect and acknowledgment. There are many hundreds more people that I could have chosen, but these are just a few that you may like to learn about. Some of the people listed you will have heard of, some are lesser known – but all very interesting to read and learn about.

Artists

Frida Kahlo

Frida was a celebrated Mexican painter who openly explored themes of female identity, bisexuality and pain through her self-portraits. She was a significant icon for the LGBTQIA+ community, representing gender fluidity and non-conformity in her art, whilst openly identifying as bisexual herself, having relationships with both men and women, at a time when this was not widely accepted. She has also inspired countless other artists to express their own truths.

David Hockney

David was an openly gay artist who championed the rights and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community. He integrated queer themes into his work, even though homosexuality was criminalized at the time, depicting both the gentle and intimate sides of gay love. He came out as gay in his early twenties, at a time when homosexuality was not openly discussed. He was an important figure for LGBTQIA+ representation in the art world.

Robert Mapplethorpe

One of the most iconic figures in the LGBTQIA+ community. His work explores themes of identity, sexuality and the human form, often through the lens of his own queer experience. Although certain aspects of his work were problematic, and he undeniably pushed the boundaries in art and visual culture, after his death, his foundation raised millions in funds for AIDS medical research.

Gilbert Baker

Gilbert was an American artist and gay rights activist who invented the iconic Rainbow Flag! First seen in 1978, it has now become associated with LGBTQIA+ rights all over the world. He refused to trademark it, as he wanted it to be a symbol for everyone. He was stationed as a medic at the beginning of the gay rights movement in San Francisco, and lived there as an openly gay man. In 2003 to celebrate the flags 25th anniversary, he created a rainbow flag that stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean in Key West, and after the commemoration, he sent sections of the flag to more than 100 cities around the world.

Lili Elbe

This lady was a Danish artist and author, who was one of the first people to undergo gender-affirming surgery, becoming a transgender pioneer. She was assigned male at birth, but transitioned to living as a woman, and it is her life story that has been popularized through the film ‘The Danish Girl’. This story has become a symbol of transgender visibility, portraying the struggle for recognition and acceptance.

Writers, Poets and Playwrights

Oscar Wilde

This gentleman is one of the most renowned writers and playwrights of all time. His work explored themes of love, beauty and social injustice, and his work often challenged societal norms. He was arrested in 1895 for homosexual acts after details of his private life were revealed, and he was sentenced to two years of hard labour, which severly affected his health. This then made him a symbol of the struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, during a time when homosexuality was criminalized.

Selma Lagerlof

Lagerlof was the first female writer to ever be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909. Her letters to her Jewish love and fellow writer Sophie Elkan were published in a book in 1992, whose title translated to ‘You teach me to be free’. They started a relationship in 1894 and stayed together until Elkans death in 1921, writing thousands of letters to one another.

Emily Dickinson

This lady was a beloved American poet whose personal life has been interpreted as reflecting her lesbian identity. She explored themes of love, loss and the human condition, and although her sexuality remained a subject of debate, her intimate letters and close relationships with women led many to believe she was likely queer. Her life serves as a testament to the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community throughout history.

James Baldwin

This gentleman was an openly bisexual black man, and his own experiences were central to his work as a renowned author and essayist. He was a prominent figure in both the Civil Rights Movement and the LGBTQIA+ Movement, known for his literary works that explored the subjects of race, sexuality, identity and social injustice. He believed that sexuality was fluid and shouldn’t be confined to strict labels or categories, and he often highlighted the unique challenges faced by gay and bisexual black men.

Virginia Woolf

A well known modernist writer and novelist, this lady challenged societal expectations and explored themes of gender, sexuality and identity. She is recognised as a prominent figure in LGBTQIA+ literature, and had relationships with men and women. Her courage and audacity at the time of addressing queer themes in her work, paved the way for more queer narratives in literature.

Walt Whitman

A celebrated poet, this American gentleman celebrated the diversity of human experience, including LGBTQIA+ identities. He is widely considered a gay and bisexual icon, due to his open celebration of male love and sensuality in his poetry. Although like many others at the time he never explicitly labelled his own sexuality, his relationships with men, and the themes explored in his work, strongly suggest a queer identity. His work has been a source of inspiration and validation for the LGBTQIA+ community, providing a powerful voice for queer love and identity.

Audre Lorde

A self-described ‘black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet’ Lorde was a powerful voice for intersectional feminism and LGBTQIA+ rights. Her poetry and essays addressed issues of identity, power and social change, challenging systems of oppression and promoting liberation. She used her poetry and prose to address issues of racism, sexism, homophobia and classism. She championed LGBTQIA+ rights and explored the liberating and political aspects of lesbianism. The Audre Lorde Project is an organization dedicated to serving LGBTQIA+ people of colour, and is a testament to her enduring legacy.

Political Figures

Chris Smith

This gentleman became the UK’s first openly male gay MP in 1984 and later the first gay cabinet minister in the world, for which he received a five-minute standing ovation. He has helped pave the way for others in government to be open about their sexuality. During a rally once against a possible ban on gay employees by Rugby town council, he began his speech with “Good afternoon, I’m Chris Smith, I’m the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and I’m gay”.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Although she was married to President Franklin D Roosevelt, Eleanor did have close female relationships, which have often been subjects of political debate. She was a dedicated humanitarian and social activist, who also promoted LGBTQIA+ inclusion and human rights.

Harvey Milk

This gentleman was the first openly gay man elected to public office in the United States. Prior to his assassination, he served as a San Francisco supervisor and advocated for LGBTQIA+ rights, including protections against discrimination in housing and employment. He became a symbol of hope and inspiration for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a powerful advocate for equality.

Bayard Rustin

This gentleman was a close advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., and was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Sadly his homosexuality often overshadowed his contributions. He was openly gay during a time when homosexuality was highly stigmatized, and he faced significant discrimination, criticism and attacks for his sexuality. He became an advocate for gay rights later on, particularly after the AIDS epidemic.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

This lady was the first openly gay representative from New York who is a progressive voice for the LGBTQIA+ community. She has a strong record of supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusive legislation, and has been an outspoken ally in the fight for their rights. She often speaks out about discrimination and inequality, and frequently participates in LGBTQIA+ pride events, using her platform to amplify their voices and raise awareness about the challenges faced by this community.

Activists

Barbara Gittings

This lady worked tirelessly to desegregate public accommodations and to fight for marriage equality. She was a lesbian activist who played a crucial role in the fight for gay rights, particularly during the pre-Stonewall era. She was a key figure in the movement to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder, and worked to increase visibility and positive representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals in literature and libraries.

Lady Phyll

This lady is a British LGBTQIA+ activist and anti-racism campaigner. She is the co-founder of UK Black Pride, which attracts nearly 8,000 people each year. She created the event to promote unity and co-operation among all LGBTQIA+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent in the UK, as well as supporting their friends and families. She is also Executive Director of the charity Kaleidoscope Trust, which campaigns for the human rights of LGBTQIA+ people around the world where they are discriminated against.

Edie Windsor

This lady won a landmark Supreme Court case that legalized marriage equality. She was a leading figure in the fight for same-sex marriage rights in America, and herself married her wife in 2007, who sadly died in 2009. As the law at the time said that ‘unlimited spousal exemption from federal estate taxes’ only applied to a marriage between a man and a woman, the government said she had to pay $363,053 in tax. Edie decided to sue, saying the law was discriminating against same sex couples and she was successful. This fight led to an Act called the ‘Defence of Marriage Act’ being overturned.

Allan Horsfall

Sometimes called the ‘grandfather of the gay rights movement’, this gentleman fought against discrimination, and advocated for equality for LGBTQIA+ individuals. He was a pioneering activist and campaigner. He set up the North West Homosexual Law Reform Committee, which was very brave at that time, working to remove the stigma of criminality from homosexuality.

Marsha P Johnson

This lady was an African-American transgender woman and activist, who played a pivotal role in the Stonewall uprising, which was a landmark event in the LGBTQIA+ movement in the 1960s and 1970s. She was one of the people who stood up to the police during the riots and raids, and she led a series of protests demanding rights for gay people, inspiring others to fight for equality.

Musicians

Boy George

My absolute favourite musican growing up, Boy George has done so much for the LGBTQIA+ community. From the famous ‘is it a boy or girl’ following Culture Clubs appearance on ‘Top of the Pops’ back in the early 1980s, his sexuality and gender has always been a topic of conversation. He has openly identified as gay and has been a constant visible advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights throughout his career. He has often shared his experiences of coming out and facing discrimination, and uses his platform regularly to speak out against this treatment, always expressing the importance of acceptance and being able to express your true self.

Elton John

One of the best selling music artists of all time, Elton John was one of the first artists to give a voice to the LGBTQIA+ community. He and his partner were one of the first couples in the UK to get a civil partnership in 2005, when the law was eventually changed to allow gay relationships to be legally recognised. The pair have also gone on to get married and have two sons via surrogacy, which has undoubtedly inspired others to do the same.

Freddie Mercury

How could we not talk about Freddie Mercury when discussing music and the LGBTQIA+ community! He had long-term relationships with men and women, and although relatively quiet about his own experiences, he is considered a queer icon, and due to his flamboyant style and rock star status, his life and incredible career have ensured that he is a significant figure in this community.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga came out as bisexual in 2010 and is a huge advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Her audience is hugely diverse, including a massive following in this group, and she is one of the best role models in the music industry for this community and everyone. She is a very vocal and visible supporter and has consistently used her platform to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion. Her song ‘Born this Way’ is most definitely a prominent anthem celebrating diversity and self-love within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Kylie

Kylie is a celebrated LGBTQIA+ icon. She resonates deeply with this community, and has openly expressed her gratitude for their support and affection. She has consistently shown her support for them through her music, her performances and by being a strong vocal advocate. She describes their mutual connection as ‘organic’ and ‘genuine’ and has performed at many LGBTQIA+ events, further solidifying her status as a gay icon.

George Michael

Although George sadly had to come out as gay after being arrested in 1998, he thereafter used his platform to become a vocal advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and was an HIV/AIDS fundraiser. He had been made to hide his sexuality for most of his career, confiding only in his best friend and band mate Andrew Ridgeley. His life and career were marked by struggles with his sexuality but despite this, he is remembered as an incredible talent and performer, and a gay icon.

Pink

The singer Pink is a pop music icon who has been recognised as an LGBTQIA+ ally according to Gay Times. She has consistently expressed support for this community and has been lauded for her refusal to conform to traditional gender norms and for raising her children in a gender-neutral way. She has been a longtime advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, and includes scenes from a same-sex marriage in her ‘Raise your Glass’ video. She fosters an environment where everyone feels included, and is a great role model.

Madonna

The ‘Queen of Pop’ is widely recognised as a gay icon, having consistently advocated for LGBTQIA+ rights throughout her long career. She has been a vocal supporter of the community, especially during the AIDS pandemic, speaking out about discrimination and promoting awareness. She has been honoured by GLAAD for her activism and has always acknowledged the influence of her LGBTQIA+ fan base, saying that she ‘wouldn’t have a career’ if it wasn’t for the gay community.

Betty Davis

This lady was known as the ‘Godmother of Funk’, and whilst not identifying as LGBTQIA+ herself, her work and personal life resonated with this community due to her rejection of societal norms, and celebration of individuality. She unapologetically explored the themes of sexuality, fluidity and female liberation in her music, challenging traditional gender roles and taboos. She championed female autonomy and also challenged societal expectations.

Actors

Ian McKellen

This gentleman is an outspoken and prominent British actor and LGBTQIA+ activist. He came out publicly as gay himself in 1988 and has since always been a strong voice for LGBTQIA+ equality. He co-founded Stonewall UK in 1989, and is actively involved in their work. He uses his platform to speak out about LGBTQIA+ issues and is often at Pride parades and events. He has encouraged fellow actors to come out and embrace who they are, and is a strong supporter of education. He is currently working on a special reading of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which is going to be directed by, and exclusively starring, transgender and non-binary performers.

Elliot Page

Elliot is a prominent LGBTQIA+ actor and advocate, who came out as transgender in 2020. He uses the pronouns he/they, and has publicly shared his journey to embrace his authentic self, inspiring many others along the way, especially those from the transgender community. He has been vocal about the challenges and discriminations faced by transgender individuals. His character in ‘The Umbrella Academy’ also transitioned, mirroring his own journey, and bringing that representation to a mainstream audience. He was also the first openly transgender man on the cover of Time Magazine. He is a great advocate for gender-affirming health care.

Suzy Izzard (also known as Eddie!)

Suzy is a comedian and actor who uses both she and her pronouns for Suzy, and he and him pronouns for Eddie. She publicly came out as transgender in 1985 and has been an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, taking part in Pride events and discussing her experiences of being transgender. She is comfortable with either name/pronoun, saying she finds humour in the fluidity of her name, and is a wonderful, level-headed voice for this community. She also completed 27 marathons in 27 days across South Africa for Sport Relief, and then went on to raise over £1.6 million to help people living tough lives in both the UK and abroad.

Luke Evans

Luke is a Welsh actor and singer, and is openly gay, often speaking about the challenges and importance of being ‘out’ in the entertainment industry. Having been raised as a Jehovah’s witness, this created a conflict with his sexuality, which he has spoken about. He originally hid his sexuality to protect his parents, and he experienced homophobic bullying, and even considered suicide in his teens. Despite his many challenges, he has had a successful acting career, and has been recognised as a trailblazer for other gay actors to come out and be their authentic selves.

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan is an openly gay actor known for his roles in ‘Bridgerton’, and most recently the movie ‘Wicked’. He is a patron of the LGBTQIA+ charity ‘Just Like Us’ and has spoken about his sexuality, in terms of the challenges he has faced, but also the rewards of being an openly gay actor in the public eye. He often discusses his own experience of homophobia, and also how important it is for the LGBTQIA+ community to be represented in the media. His role in ‘Fellow Travellers’ (a queer political drama) allowed him to explore themes of LGBTQIA+ identity and the AIDS epidemic.

Elizabeth Taylor

This lady was a renowned actress, a powerful voice, and staunch ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s. She co-founded amfAR – which is the Foundation for AIDS research in 1985, and later established The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. She was always vocal about the need for acceptance and equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation and it was deeply personal for her, following the death of her friend Rock Hudson from AIDS in 1985. She worked hard to raise awareness and funding for AIDS research and care, challenging the stigma and homophobia surrounding the disease, always saying it was a human rights issue. In 2000, GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), honored her with a Vanguard Award, recognising her work.

Sports People

Justin Fashanu

Justin was Britain’s first openly gay footballer, who also became the the countrys most expensive black player back in 1981, with his £1 million move to Nottingham Forest (who also happen to be the team me and my family support!). After coming out, he didn’t receive much support, and suffered much homophobic bullying and harassment from the tabloids.

Jill Scott

This lady is a well-known English football player, who came out as gay during her career with the Lionesses, and she has been a prominent figure and vocal advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, particularly within her field, frequently speaking about equality in sports. She inspires young members of the LGBTQIA+ community to be themselves and comfortable and safe with their identities. Although she has faced some sexism and homophobia within the football community, she has also experienced some positive support.

Tom Daley

Tom is a British diver who has competed in multiple Olympic Games. He came out as gay in 2013 and has since been an advocate for LGBTQIA+ visibility and equality in sports. He has spoken out against homophobia in the Commonwealth Games and uses his platform regularly to raise awareness and to encourage change. He also made a BBC documentary exploring homophobia within the Commonwealth, and continually works towards positive change. He was awarded an OBE for services to diving, LGBTQIA+ rights and charity work.

Nicola Adams

This lady is a retired British professional boxer and gold medalist. She is bisexual, and is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation in sports. She is a prominent figure in the community, having been previously named the ‘most influential LGBTQIA+ person in Britain’ by The Independent. She is a role model for this community, using her platform to combat homophobia and raise awareness. She has a positive image – seen as inspiring and strong – and was part of the first same-sex couple to appear on the popular ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ show, pushing boundaries and increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility.

Gareth Thomas

Gareth was one of the world’s first openly gay professional rugby players. He is a former British Lions captain and the most capped Welsh rugby player in history. He came out in 2009, and was widely applauded for revealing in 2019 that he was living with HIV, and in trying to combat the stigma surrounding this illness, he became a role model for many others, who live with the virus. His decision to be so open about his sexuality has had a significant impact on LGBTQIA+ representation. Like Nicola above, he has also received the same award previously by The Independent.

Other Notable Figures

Alan Turing

Most people would have heard of this gentleman now, but he was sadly not celebrated during his lifetime. He was a brilliant computer scientist, mathematician, philosopher and theoretical biologist, who made groundbreaking contributions to computer science and cryptanalysis, but his homosexuality led to his arrest, persecution and suicide. It is now understood what a crucial part he played in the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, as he cracked what we now know as ‘The Enigma Code’. In 2009 Gordon Brown (British Prime Minister at the time) made an official public apology for the appalling way Turing was treated, and Queen Elizabeth II granted a pardon in 2013. Eventually in 2017 the government agreed to officially pardon homosexual men, which has now become known as ‘The Alan Turing Law’ and his face now appears on our £50 notes.

Ru Paul

Ru Paul is an American Drag Queen, TV host, singer, actor, producer and writer, so fits in to many of the categories above! He produces, hosts and judges the reality competition series ‘Ru Paul’s Drag Race’ and has been dubbed ‘The Queen of Drag’, being considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the US. He has raised money for the Mac AIDS Fund, and was awarded the Vito Russo Award at the GLAAD Media Awards in 1999 for his work in promoting equality in the community. Many say he has transformed the representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals and relationships in the media, having an openly gay marriage himself, and remains a pioneer, who has paved the way for many artists to come forward from this community. He also uses his platform to discuss important topics, like female empowerment and racial discrimination.

Roberta Cowell

This lady was a British World War Two fighter pilot and racing car driver, and also the first known British transgender woman to undergo gender affirming surgery in 1951. She had also spent five months in a German prisoner-of-war camp. She was always considered different after making the brave step of changing her sex, and suffered in the public domain at the time, but in doing so, she paved the way for others to live more openly as trans men and trans women.

Christine Jorgensen

A transgender woman who underwent gender-affirming surgery in Denmark, Christine became a symbol of transgender visibility and advocacy. Her story significantly impacted discussions about gender identity and transgender rights, making her a pioneering figure in the LGBTQIA+ community. She helped to challenge societal norms and increase awareness and acceptance of transgender individuals.

Caroline Spurgeon

This lady was the first ever female university professor at The University of London, and an English literary critic. She asked to be buried next to her longtime companion, civil servant Lilian Clapham, who was made an MBE for promoting job opportunities for women. Her close friend Virginia Gildersleeve (who she co-founded the International Federation of University Women with and spent her summers with), moved Caroline’s body to rest next to Lilian to ensure she got her wish. Spurgeon designed the gravestone in East Sussex, leaving a message remembering their ‘happy life together’ when she died in 1935.

Ruth Ellis

Ruth was the daughter of former slaves. She came out as lesbian when she was 16 years old, and in 1937 she and her long-term partner moved to Detroit from Illinois with the promise of higher wages. She became the first woman in Michigan to run her own printing business, and she printed flyers and posters in her front room, where members of the LGBTQIA+ community would gather. She helped others any way she could, and was an activist and speaker for the rest of her life, even leading a march on her 100th birthday. She is the subject of a documentary “Living with Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100” and is the namesake of the Ruth Ellis Center, a shelter for homeless and at-risk LGBTQIA+ youth in Detroit.

James Barry

This gentleman was a British army surgeon and transgender man, who was born female, but identified as a man throughout his life. His life story is a fascinating example of gender non-conformity in the 19th Century, and it highlights the complexities of gender identity and the challenges faced by those who lived outside societal norms at that time. He had a distinguished military career, and is remembered as a pioneer and a reformer.

Albert Cashier

This transgender man was an Irish immigrant who fought for the union in the civil way, and his story reveals the diversity of gender identities throughout history. Also born female, he enlisted, serving throughout the war, and lived as a man for over 50 years, leading historians to believe he was a transgender man. He faced scrutiny and challenges, including being forced to wear women’s clothing, but despite this, his fellow soldiers defended him, and he was eventually buried in his Union uniform.

I will continue to share and support this group of people on here, until such time there is no need anymore for them to ‘come out’, and no need to feel shame, fear or sadness for who they are, who they love, what their sexuality and gender are, or what pronouns they choose to use.

I have written previous blogs that you may wish to go back to and read if you would like to learn more, and to understand and support this community.