LGBT History Month Icons Named
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.
