Magnus Hirschfeld (1868 - 1935)
Physician, Reformer, Advocate
“Soon the day will come when science will win victory over error, justice a victory over injustice, and human love a victory over human hatred and ignorance.” Moved by his patients’ stories who survived or completed suicide, Hirschfeld founded the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee in 1897 – the first mainstream advocacy for homosexual and transgender rights.
Christine Jorgensen (1926 - 1989)
Pioneer, Tabloid Star, Nightclub Singer
World War II veteran Jorgensen was a pioneering transgender woman who became an instant celebrity in 1952 following a New York Daily News front page piece. Known for her wit and directness she became a TV and radio personality, writer and activist, using her platform to shift the narrative on gender and sexuality.
Edith ‘Edie’ Windsor (1929 - 2017)
IBM Technology Manager, Lead Plaintiff in United States v. Windsor, Trevor Icon 2017
Edie was engaged to partner Thea Spyer since 1963; the two traveled to Toronto to be wed in 2007. After Spyer’s passing, the US government refused to recognize their marriage during the inheritance hearing, and Windsor sued. While appearing at the court in 2013, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of Windsor and deemed the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.
Harvey Milk (1930 - 1978)
San Francisco Board of Supervisors, 5th District
“The only thing [young gay people] have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope.” Milk was the first non-incumbent openly LGBTQ politician elected to office in the nation. During his time as supervisor, Milk helped to defeat California Proposition 6 and helped to ban discrimination on the basis of sexuality.
RuPaul Charles (b. 1960)
Drag Queen, Television Personality, Singer
Through RuPaul’s work, the art of drag has been brought to the mainstream of global pop culture, depictions of LGBTQ people have been revolutionized in the media, and people of all ages have been inspired to play with gender and express themselves. In 2021 RuPaul also became the most decorated person of color in television history after winning an eleventh Emmy Award for Best Host.
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