She was black, queer, and trans - and fearlessly advocated for her rights and the rights of the LGBTQ community at a time when doing so put her safety in jeopardy. Johnson was an activist, drag performer, sex worker, and model for Andy Warhol. Johnson is sometimes referred to as the “Rosa Parks of the LGBT movement,” but Johnson is a celebrated icon in her own right.
While certainly not an exhaustive list by any means, these are 15 LGBTQ activists you should know. In honor of Pride Month, Global Citizen is celebrating the brave activists fighting for LGBTQ rights in places where it can be dangerous to do so, and the inspiring champions for change, without whom there might never have been a Pride Month. Without these incredible activists, the LGBTQ rights movement would not be where it is today. But that’s still not the case for LGBTQ communities in every country, and even in countries where it is safe to march, there is still a long way to go before true equality is achieved. In many countries today, people are free to join these marches, marry whomever they choose, and openly show their love. Throughout June, cities around the world have been hosting marches in honor of LGBTQ pride.
It’s LGBTQ Pride Month - a time to celebrate love, but also to champion equality and LGBTQ rights.
