#people of pride
People of Pride #21 & #22: Phyllis Lyon & Del Martin
In honor of the 3-year anniversary of marriage equality in the United States, I wanted to highlight a passionate lesbian couple who helped make marriage equality a tangible reality! Theirs was the first same-sex wedding to take place in San Francisco in 2004 when Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered city clerks to issue marriage certificates to everyone, but that marriage was voided by the California Supreme Court later that year. Never taking “no” for an answer, Lyon & Martin would become the first same-sex couple to marry in California after marriage equality was legalized there on June 16th, 2008. Read more about them here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gay-marriage-is-legal-in-california/
http://makinggayhistory.com/podcast/phyllis-lyon-del-martin/
http://lyon-martin.org/about-us/the-lyon-martin-story/remembering-del-martin/
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People of Pride #20: Jose Sarria
Jose Sarria ruled the streets of San Francisco both as Jose and as the “Nightingale of Montgomery Street”, read more about his lasting impacts here:
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People of Pride #19: Alice Walker
Alice Walker is a fierce, bisexual, african american poet and author. You’ve almost certainly heard of her most popular works, but read more about what else she has done here:
https://www.biography.com/people/alice-walker-
9521939http://alicewalkersgarden.com/about/
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People of Pride #17: Jim Toy
It isn’t often that I’m given the opportunity to write about someone who created change so close to home, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to spotlight Jim Toy of the Ann Arbor area. He created radical change for university students across the country, read more here:
https://www.jimtoycenter.org/about-jim-toy
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/billi-gordon-phd/jim-toy-advocate-extraord_b_9343334.html
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People of Pride #16: Larry Kramer
Larry Kramer is impossible to ignore. Loud, passionate, and dedicated to the causes of LGBT+ History & AIDS eradication, Kramer co-founded some of the largest AIDS organizations in the world, wrote countless books and plays about the real lives of people with AIDS, and never stopped fighting for the advancement, success, and safety of LGBT+ people in NYC and beyond. Read more about his crucial involvement in the AIDS crisis here:
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/aids-activist-larry-kramer-stigma-patient-zero-myth-n676841
http://makinggayhistory.com/podcast/larry-kramer/
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People of Pride #15: Storme DeLarverie
*It is important to note that while researching powerful LGBT+ people from the past, it can be complicated to label their identities with words we currently understand while respecting who they were in their own time. While Storme may have used different identifying terms now, I am respecting her own choice of identity - a lesbian, woman, drag king.*
Storme DeLaverie was the fierce biracial, butch lesbian who threw the first punch at Stonewall, igniting years of passionate LGBT+ activism. From being one of the first “male impersonators”, to patrolling the streets of New York City until she was 85 to protect young LGBT+ people, Storme’s legacy of badassery lives on in modern LGBT+ activism. Read more about her here:
https://www.them.us/story/drag-king-cabaret-legend-activist-storme-delarverie
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People of Pride #14: Harvey Milk
Important historical clarification:
While Harvey Milk is often incorrectly regarded as the first openly-gay candidate to be elected to public office, the actual first openly-gay elected official was Kathy Kozachenko (from my city of Ann Arbor, Michigan!), who (while virtually unknown) won a seat on the Ann Arbor City Council in 1974. You can read more about her election here
Harvey Milk fought for the respect and representation of all citizens. He encouraged LGBT+ people around the country to come out of the closet and to bring the support of their friends, families, and neighbors to the fight for equality. Harvey Milk was assassinated on November 27, 1978, and the community’s response is regarded as one of the most peaceful reactions to violence a community has ever expressed. In the years since, there have been hundreds of openly LGBT public officials in America but the fight continues. To read more about Harvey Milk and to learn about the foundation created in his name, click here.
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People of Pride #13: Brenda Howard
Brenda Howard was, by all standards, a badass. Regarded as the mother of modern-day pride, Howard worked furiously to organize pride events and groups around the country that celebrated the inclusion of bisexual people (not just Gay & Lesbian) in the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more about all of Brenda Howard’s activist badassery here:
- https://www.advocate.com/bisexuality/2014/06/17/remembering-brenda-ode-‘mother-pride’
- https://www.autostraddle.com/idol-worship-brenda-howard-bisexual-curmudgeon-and-mother-of-pride-178878/
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders.
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People of Pride #12: Lou Sullivan
Living his life as an out gay trans man, Lou was able to create community. Through his life, work, and visibility, he left behind a legacy for trans people around the world. Learn more about why he worked so tirelessly for the trans community here:
- https://www.makingqueerhistory.com/articles/2018/5/21/lou-sullivan
- https://ew.com/article/2016/02/26/lou-sullivan-gay-transgender-pioneer-short-film/
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know.This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders.
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People of Pride #11: Technical Sargent Leonard Matlovich
Leonard Matlovich had no intention of becoming an activist - until his face was on the cover of Time magazine behind a headline that read “I am a Homosexual” in 1975. He spent the next decade advocating loudly for equal treatment and opportunities in the military, & education and research for HIV/AIDS. Read more about his impact here:
- https://www.npr.org/2015/10/30/452849153/a-perfect-soldier-remembering-a-warrior-in-the-battle-against-homophobiahttps://www.npr.org/2015/10/30/452849153/a-perfect-soldier-remembering-a-warrior-in-the-battle-against-homophobia
- https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/24/us/gay-airman-who-fought-ouster-dies-from-aids.html
- http://www.leonardmatlovich.com
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders.
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People of Pride #9: Vito Russo
Vito Russo was a film historian, critic, author, and major voice for gay rights and AIDS visibility. The disease ultimately took his life in 1990, when he was 44 years old. Read more about his lasting impacts on equality and visibility here:
- https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/09/obituaries/vito-russo-44-a-historian-of-film-and-a-gay-advocate.html
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1987/11/01/why-aids-spread-so-far-so-fast/b78ecc8d-3293-47b6-b000-f0222159e223/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ad15e78485fc
- https://www.glaad.org/sri/2018/vitorusso
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders.
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People of Pride #8: Bayard Rustin
Bayard Rustin was the black, gay, non-violent activist responsible for organizing the March on Washington. His pioneering contributions to the fight for economic, racial, & LGBT+ equality are immeasurable, there is so much more to say than there is room to say it. Bayard Rustin is a name lost in history books that should have never been forgotten, I encourage you to read more about who he was, what he loved, and what he conquered here:
- https://www.buzzfeed.com/…/walter-naegle-partner-of-the-lat…
- https://lgbthistorymonth.com/bayard-rustin?tab=biography
- http://www.pbs.org/…/…/who-designed-the-march-on-washington/
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders.
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People of Pride #7: Edie Windsor
Edie Windsor was a computer programmer-turned activist whose landmark Supreme Court ruling changed LGBT+ history forever after her partner of 40-years died. I encourage you to learn more about her life, and the short story “Let the Good Times Roll” that she wrote in 2001 about the love of her life, Thea.
- www.ediewindsor.com
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/us/edith-windsor-dead-same-sex-marriage-doma.html
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders.
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People of Pride #4: Marsha “Pay it No Mind” Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson was an African-American transgender woman, passionate LGBTQ rights activist, drag queen, and loud voice for low-income gender non-conforming & trans people of color. She was celebrating her 25th birthday at the Stonewall Inn during the early morning hours of June 28th, 1969. When the police began arresting and harassing gay patrons at the club that night, Marsha was among the first to resist the police. Check out the links below for more information about her story, her activism, and the Stonewall Riots:
- Collection of NYTimes Articles Regarding the Stonewall Riots
- More Information about the Stonewall Riots
- Marsha P. Johnson Biography
- “Marsha P. Johnson A transgender pioneer and activist who was a fixture of Greenwich Village street life.”
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders.
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People of Pride #3: Sylvia Rivera
Sylvia Riviera was a passionate, Venezuelan-Puerto Rican, LGBT Woman, sex worker, and trauma survivor with a loud & persistent voice for the rights of people of color and low income queer/transgender people. If you have a moment, check out these links for more information about her story:
- Sylvia Rivera Discusses Stonewall Riots in an Exclusive Interview
- More About Her Extensive Activism
- “5 Reasons Sylvia Rivera Is One of the Most Badass Radical Trans Heroes to Ever Live”
- Sylvia Rivera’s Activism, Resistance, and Resilience
- A Forgotten Latina Trailblazer: LGBT Activist Sylvia Rivera
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders. My goal is to bring some awareness to those who have paved the way for this to be a month of celebration.
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People of Pride #2: Frank Kameny
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders. My goal is to bring some awareness to those who have paved the way for this to be a month of celebration.
The 2nd activist I’ve chosen to spotlight is Frank Kameny (of course he has to come right after Barbara Gittings), you can learn more about his incredible achievements and activism here:
- http://www.kamenypapers.org/index.htm
- https://www.bnl.gov/bera/activities/globe/kameny.htm
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/frank-kameny-american-hero/2011/03/04/gIQAH2DRfL_blog.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.9365de84ab90
If there is an activist who you feel should be included in this series, send them my way, sales regarding this series will be announced shortly!
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Introducing People of Pride!
Happy pride month! Last June I created a “Pride Animal” a day, this year I’m embarking on a different kind of art-a-day to celebrate pride. Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, but I hope to bring some awareness to those who have paved the way for this to be a month of celebration. I hope you enjoy learning about these individuals as much as I have enjoyed researching them!
The first activist I’ve chosen to spotlight is Barbara Gittings, you can learn more about her incredible achievements and activism here:
- http://www.pbs.org/outofthepast/past/p5/gittings.html
- http://archives.nypl.org/mss/6397
- https://lgbthistorymonth.com/barbara-gittings
If there is an activist who you feel should be included in this series, send them my way, sales regarding this series will be announced shortly!
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