10 American Activists Who Fought for LGBTQ+ Rights

The LGBTQ+ rights movement has come a long way in the US over the past few decades. However, this change did not come quickly or easily. It was the result of countless individuals who stood up, spoke out, and fought for equal rights and protections for the LGBTQ+ community. In this blog post, we honor 10 American activists who made a significant impact on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

1. Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk is often regarded as a pioneer in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. He was the first openly gay elected official in California, becoming a San Francisco Supervisor in 1977. Milk used his platform to fight for gay rights, advocating for protections against discrimination and police harassment.

2. Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson was a Black trans woman and LGBTQ+ activist who played an instrumental role in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. She co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), which provided shelter and support for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.

3. Sylvia Rivera

Like Johnson, Sylvia Rivera was also a key player in the Stonewall Uprising. She co-founded STAR alongside Johnson and dedicated her life to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, specifically for those who were marginalized within the community.

4. Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde was a poet, author, and LGBTQ+ activist who fought for intersectionality and the recognition of the unique struggles of LGBTQ+ people of color. She founded Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, which aimed to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ women of color.

5. Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin was a civil rights activist and openly gay man. He is often credited as the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

6. Barbara Gittings

Barbara Gittings was a prominent LGBTQ+ activist in the 1960s and 1970s. She played a key role in the American Psychiatric Association’s decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.

7. James Baldwin

James Baldwin was a writer and LGBTQ+ activist who played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement. He wrote about the intersection of race, sexuality, and class in his work, shedding light on the experiences and struggles of LGBTQ+ people of color.

8. Harry Hay

Harry Hay was a gay rights activist and co-founder of the Mattachine Society, one of the first LGBTQ+ organizations in the US. He fought for the recognition of LGBTQ+ people as an oppressed minority and advocated for the repeal of anti-sodomy laws.

9. Frank Kameny

Frank Kameny was an LGBTQ+ activist and astronomer who was fired from his job in the 1950s for being gay. He fought back, taking his case all the way to the Supreme Court and becoming one of the first openly gay activists to take legal action against the government for discrimination.

10. Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were a lesbian couple who co-founded the Daughters of Bilitis, one of the first lesbian rights organizations in the US. They fought for the rights of lesbian women and were finally able to legally marry in 2008 after being together for over 50 years.

In conclusion, these 10 American activists made a significant impact on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Their tireless efforts paved the way for the progress we have made today, but we must continue to honor their legacies by fighting for equal rights and protections for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.