LGBT History Month Icons Named

Equality Forum releases the list of notables for each day in October

Since 2006, Equality Forum has put the spotlight on 217 LGBT icons who have made important strides in the arts, science, politics and culture. As we get ready for LGBT History Month in October, the Philly-based organization has given us a preview of who’s being honored this year.

“The 217 Icons, including the 31 Icons for 2012, demonstrate the impressive and diverse international impact of the LGBT community,” says Malcolm Lazin, founder of LGBT History Month and executive director of Equality Forum.

Icons are selected for their accomplishments in their field of endeavor, their status as a national hero or their significant contributions to LGBT equality, he says. The icons are chosen based on nominations from organizations and individuals – this year’s co-chairs were Professor George Chauncey, chair of the History & American Studies Department and Yale University, and Sue Rankin, professor of education and LGBT Studies at Penn State University.

And the LGBT History Month 2012 Icons are:

Truman Capote

Roberta Achtenberg – Government

Gloria Anzaldua – Author

Ann Bannon – Author

Katherine Lee Bates – “America the Beautiful” Songwriter

Mary Bonauto – Lawyer

Glenn Burke – Athlete

Paul Cadmus – Artist

Truman Capote – Novelist

Chris Colfer – Actor

Kate Clinton – Comedian

Kate Clinton (courtesy of Kate Clinton)

Ramon Cortines – Educator

Marlene Dietrich – Actor

Jodie Foster – Actor/Director

Jean Paul Gaultier – Designer

Henry Gerber – Activist

Billy Haines – Actor

Mary Kay Henry – Labor Activist

Chris Hughes – Facebook Co-founder

Christine Jorgensen – Transgender Pioneer

Chris Colfer (courtesy of Fox)

Arthur Laurents – Playwright/Director

Don Lemon – News Anchor

Federico Garcia Lorca – Poet

Irshad Manji – Muslim Reformist

Katherine Miller – Activist

Holly Near – Singer

Rupaul – Entertainer

Pierre Seel – Holocaust Hero

Billy Strayhorn – Composer

Jon Stryker – Philanthropist

Tom Waddell – Gay Games Founder

Rev. Robert Wood – Gay Pioneer

Each day in October, an icon will be featured with a video, biography, bibliography, downloadable images and other educational resources, which are also available for free to educational institutions, organizations and the general public online.