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To celebrate #Pride2020 
, I'm honouring #MyPrideHeroes.
For the next 30 days of #PrideMonth
, show your gratitude to our LGBTQ+ pioneers by sharing their stories with your followers.
, I'm honouring #MyPrideHeroes. For the next 30 days of #PrideMonth
, show your gratitude to our LGBTQ+ pioneers by sharing their stories with your followers.
1. Marsha P Johnson (1945 - 1992)
“Pay it no mind”. Marsha fought on the front line at Stonewall and tirelessly campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights. Founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and co-founder of the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, she was murdered in 1992.
“Pay it no mind”. Marsha fought on the front line at Stonewall and tirelessly campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights. Founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and co-founder of the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, she was murdered in 1992.
2. Sylvia Rivera (1951 - 2002)
Sylvia was a Latina American gay liberation, trans* rights activist and Stonewall veteran who co-founded STAR with Marsha P Johnson. She was an advocate for homeless queer youth and a tireless campaigner for LGBTQ+ equality. She died in 2002.
Sylvia was a Latina American gay liberation, trans* rights activist and Stonewall veteran who co-founded STAR with Marsha P Johnson. She was an advocate for homeless queer youth and a tireless campaigner for LGBTQ+ equality. She died in 2002.
3. Magnus Hirschfeld (1868 - 1935)
Dr Hirschfeld was a sexologist who founded the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, in Weimar Germany. He offered medical help, financial aid and legal protection for trans* people until he was forced to flee the Nazis.
Dr Hirschfeld was a sexologist who founded the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, in Weimar Germany. He offered medical help, financial aid and legal protection for trans* people until he was forced to flee the Nazis.
4. Harvey Milk (1930 - 1978)
Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the USA. He fought against the discrimination many LGBTQ+ people faced in the workplace and built a movement demanding that our rights be protected by law. He was assassinated in 1978.
Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the USA. He fought against the discrimination many LGBTQ+ people faced in the workplace and built a movement demanding that our rights be protected by law. He was assassinated in 1978.
5. Del Martin (1921 - 2008) and Phyllis Lyon (1924 - 2020)
As co-founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the 1st lesbian civil rights group in America, they were tireless campaigners for marriage equality & access to non-judgmental & affordable healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community.
As co-founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the 1st lesbian civil rights group in America, they were tireless campaigners for marriage equality & access to non-judgmental & affordable healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community.
6. April Ashley MBE (b.1935)
Vogue model, nightclub hostess and actress. April's divorce case was used as a precedent to deny trans* people the right to marry, something she tirelessly campaigned to reverse. She was also a leading figure in delivering the Gender Recognition Act.
Vogue model, nightclub hostess and actress. April's divorce case was used as a precedent to deny trans* people the right to marry, something she tirelessly campaigned to reverse. She was also a leading figure in delivering the Gender Recognition Act.
7. Simon Nkoli (1957 - 1998)
An anti-apartheid & gay rights activist, Simon founded GLOW & organised South Africa's first Pride parade. He fought for the repeal of the sodomy law & the inclusion of protection from discrimination in the Bill of Rights. He died from AIDS in 1998.
An anti-apartheid & gay rights activist, Simon founded GLOW & organised South Africa's first Pride parade. He fought for the repeal of the sodomy law & the inclusion of protection from discrimination in the Bill of Rights. He died from AIDS in 1998.
8. Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (b. 1942)
Sigurðardóttir became Prime Minister of Iceland in 2009, Iceland's first female Prime Minister & the world's first openly LGBTQ+ head of government. During her premiership, she introduced same-sex marriage & comprehensive gender recognition.
Sigurðardóttir became Prime Minister of Iceland in 2009, Iceland's first female Prime Minister & the world's first openly LGBTQ+ head of government. During her premiership, she introduced same-sex marriage & comprehensive gender recognition.
9. Georgina Beyer MNZM (b. 1957)
The world's first openly transgender Mayor and Member of Parliament, Georgina entered politics in New Zealand in the 1990s determined to make a difference. She campaigned for reform on sex-work laws and LGBTQ+ rights (civil unions & gender rec.).
The world's first openly transgender Mayor and Member of Parliament, Georgina entered politics in New Zealand in the 1990s determined to make a difference. She campaigned for reform on sex-work laws and LGBTQ+ rights (civil unions & gender rec.).
10. Edith Windsor (1929 - 2017)
Edith was an LGBTQ+ Rights activist and the lead plaintiff in the United States v. Windsor case which led the US Supreme Court to grant same-sex married couples federal recognition for the first time & equal access rights to federal benefits.
Edith was an LGBTQ+ Rights activist and the lead plaintiff in the United States v. Windsor case which led the US Supreme Court to grant same-sex married couples federal recognition for the first time & equal access rights to federal benefits.
11. Karl Heinrich Ulrichs (1825 - 1895)
Ulrichs was a German lawyer who was dismissed from his job in 1857 after speaking openly about his homosexuality. Undeterred, he spent the rest of his life campaigning for the repeal of anti-gay laws in Germany through lectures & essays.
Ulrichs was a German lawyer who was dismissed from his job in 1857 after speaking openly about his homosexuality. Undeterred, he spent the rest of his life campaigning for the repeal of anti-gay laws in Germany through lectures & essays.
12. Quentin Crisp (1908-1999)
An Englishman in New York, Quentin was a professional model who found fame when he wrote a memoir about life as an openly gay man in London in the 1930s. “The Naked Civil Servant” became a bestseller and Quentin became a much sought after raconteur.
An Englishman in New York, Quentin was a professional model who found fame when he wrote a memoir about life as an openly gay man in London in the 1930s. “The Naked Civil Servant” became a bestseller and Quentin became a much sought after raconteur.
13. Christine Jorgensen (1926 - 1989)
In 1953, Christine's transition made front page news around the world. Uneasy with her celebrity status, she used her fame to educate the American public on trans* issues and later toured universities to give lectures on transgender rights.
In 1953, Christine's transition made front page news around the world. Uneasy with her celebrity status, she used her fame to educate the American public on trans* issues and later toured universities to give lectures on transgender rights.
14. Brenda Howard (1946 - 2005)
"The Mother of Pride", Brenda was a bisexual rights activist who played a key role in coordinating the first LGBT Pride march in 1970. She campaigned with the Gay Liberation Front and ACT UP and later co-founded the New York Area Bisexual Network.
"The Mother of Pride", Brenda was a bisexual rights activist who played a key role in coordinating the first LGBT Pride march in 1970. She campaigned with the Gay Liberation Front and ACT UP and later co-founded the New York Area Bisexual Network.
15. Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (b. 1940)
Miss Major is a veteran of the Stonewall riots and an activist for trans* rights. Throughout her life, she has organised community efforts & grassroots movements to provide help for trans* people suffering from addiction & homelessness.
Miss Major is a veteran of the Stonewall riots and an activist for trans* rights. Throughout her life, she has organised community efforts & grassroots movements to provide help for trans* people suffering from addiction & homelessness.
16. Stormé DeLarverie (1920 - 2014)
On the 28th June 1969, Stormé fought back when police raided the Stonewall Inn which sparked the infamous rebellion. Known as the "Rosa Parks of Gay Liberation", Stormé later became a key figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. She died in 2014.
On the 28th June 1969, Stormé fought back when police raided the Stonewall Inn which sparked the infamous rebellion. Known as the "Rosa Parks of Gay Liberation", Stormé later became a key figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. She died in 2014.
17. Cleve Jones (b. 1954)
Cleve's activism began when he was befriended by Harvey Milk in the 1970s. He has campaigned tirelessly for LGBTQ+ rights ever since and is the founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and co-founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
Cleve's activism began when he was befriended by Harvey Milk in the 1970s. He has campaigned tirelessly for LGBTQ+ rights ever since and is the founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and co-founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
18. Barbara Gittings (1932 - 2007)
"The Mother of the Movement", Barbara organised marches & grassroots campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights long before Stonewall. She later helped to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness & co-founded the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
"The Mother of the Movement", Barbara organised marches & grassroots campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights long before Stonewall. She later helped to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness & co-founded the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
19. Maureen Duffy (b. 1933)
Poet, playwright and novelist, Maureen was the first lesbian in British public life today to be open about her sexuality. She was the first President of the Gay Humanist Group (later GALHA) and campaigned tirelessly against Section 28.
Poet, playwright and novelist, Maureen was the first lesbian in British public life today to be open about her sexuality. She was the first President of the Gay Humanist Group (later GALHA) and campaigned tirelessly against Section 28.
20. Alan Turing (1912 - 1954)
Turing played a crucial role at Bletchley Park in WW2 as a cryptanalyst. Despite this heroic work, he was prosecuted for homosexual acts in 1952 & was chemically castrated in lieu of prison. This led to his suicide in 1954. He was pardoned in 2013.
Turing played a crucial role at Bletchley Park in WW2 as a cryptanalyst. Despite this heroic work, he was prosecuted for homosexual acts in 1952 & was chemically castrated in lieu of prison. This led to his suicide in 1954. He was pardoned in 2013.
21. The Cast of 'Paris is Burning'
Exploring issues such as AIDS, racism and anti-LGBTQ+ violence, the 1990 film introduces us to Dorian, Willi, Pepper, Venus & Octavia who teach us a valuable lesson: that pride was won by the struggle and sacrifice of those who went before us.
Exploring issues such as AIDS, racism and anti-LGBTQ+ violence, the 1990 film introduces us to Dorian, Willi, Pepper, Venus & Octavia who teach us a valuable lesson: that pride was won by the struggle and sacrifice of those who went before us.
22. Larry Kramer (1935 - 2020)
Playwright & producer, Larry was a tireless campaigner for LGBTQ+ Rights & a prominent AIDS activist. In 1982, he co-founded the GMHC before founding ACT UP, a group dedicated to improving the lives of people with AIDS through direct action.
Playwright & producer, Larry was a tireless campaigner for LGBTQ+ Rights & a prominent AIDS activist. In 1982, he co-founded the GMHC before founding ACT UP, a group dedicated to improving the lives of people with AIDS through direct action.
23. Divine (1945 - 1988)
A countercultural legend & the ultimate Queen of Filth, Divine's partnership with John Waters broke open a world of poor taste that proved to be an inspiration to millions who saw Divine leading the way in not giving a single fuck. Gone far too soon.
A countercultural legend & the ultimate Queen of Filth, Divine's partnership with John Waters broke open a world of poor taste that proved to be an inspiration to millions who saw Divine leading the way in not giving a single fuck. Gone far too soon.
24. Audre Lorde (1934 - 1992)
Writer, feminist & civil rights activist, Audre used her poetry to strike blows against racism, sexism & homophobia. From grassroots campaigns in Greenwich Village to the National March on Washington, she was a lifelong campaigner for equal rights.
Writer, feminist & civil rights activist, Audre used her poetry to strike blows against racism, sexism & homophobia. From grassroots campaigns in Greenwich Village to the National March on Washington, she was a lifelong campaigner for equal rights.
25. Edward Carpenter (1844 - 1929)
An early activist for gay rights, English poet Edward Carpenter advocated for LGBTQ+ equality in his 1906 book, The Intermediate Sex. Risking prison he lived openly with his partner George Merrill & provided a refuge for those who did the same.
An early activist for gay rights, English poet Edward Carpenter advocated for LGBTQ+ equality in his 1906 book, The Intermediate Sex. Risking prison he lived openly with his partner George Merrill & provided a refuge for those who did the same.
26. Josephine Baker (1906 - 1975)
Entertainer & Resistance agent, Baker became a prominent activist with the Civil Rights Movement in the '50s & later worked for the NAACP. She spoke alongside Martin Luther King Jr & had a love affair with openly bisexual artist Frida Kahlo.
Entertainer & Resistance agent, Baker became a prominent activist with the Civil Rights Movement in the '50s & later worked for the NAACP. She spoke alongside Martin Luther King Jr & had a love affair with openly bisexual artist Frida Kahlo.
27. Aaron Fricke (born 1962)
In 1980, gay rights activist Aaron Fricke sued his high school for refusing to allow him to take his same sex partner to Prom. He won his case which set an important precedent to establish legal rights for LGBTQ+ students.
In 1980, gay rights activist Aaron Fricke sued his high school for refusing to allow him to take his same sex partner to Prom. He won his case which set an important precedent to establish legal rights for LGBTQ+ students.
28. Jeanne Manford (1920 - 2013)
School teacher and activist, Jeanne co-founded PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays) in 1972 after her son was the victim of homophobic violence. She became a life long ally and was posthumously honoured by President Obama.
School teacher and activist, Jeanne co-founded PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays) in 1972 after her son was the victim of homophobic violence. She became a life long ally and was posthumously honoured by President Obama.
29. Akihiro Miwa (born 1935)
Drag queen and author, Maru-san is a survivor of the American attack on Nagasaki who became famous in Japan in 1957 with his controversial hit "Me Que Me Que". His concerts have always included outspoken stances on LGBTQ+ rights and anti-war themes.
Drag queen and author, Maru-san is a survivor of the American attack on Nagasaki who became famous in Japan in 1957 with his controversial hit "Me Que Me Que". His concerts have always included outspoken stances on LGBTQ+ rights and anti-war themes.
