5 LGBTQ+ Icons & Events you probably didn’t learn in school
This article was first published on Feb. 27, 2022
Republican lawmakers' recent feud with the education system has had them restricting, changing, or adapting a curriculum that doesn’t accurately reflect Black history as it removes key LGBTQ events and figures from the conversation.
In fact, at least 17 Republican-led states have passed bills containing orders that would restrict how teachers can discuss American history and current events, including orders to pull books from library shelves in an attempt to prevent “diverse concepts” - like race and sexuality - from corrupting students.
Yet, the neglect of LGBTQ+ activists' role in history is an unfortunate but common reality that deserves an in-depth look as GOP-led states continue to suppress their contributions within Black history.
After thorough research, we found five LGBTQ+ icons and events that the average American “probably” didn’t learn in school but needs to know about.
1. Gladys Bentley (1907 – 1960)
Gladys Bentley was one of the most iconic figures during the Harlem Renaissance. She was a pianist, blues singer, crossdresser, and one of the most wealthy Black women during the 1920s-30s.
Born in Philadelphia, Bentley ran away to New York City at the age of 16 to pursue her music. She began her career at one of New York’s most notorious gay speakeasies — Harry Hansberry’s Clam House. She quickly became popular, and by 1930 she had her own radio show.
Bentley was known for breaking gender norms. She was openly lesbian during the earlier portion of her career, and she oftentimes used her sexuality to amplify her performances. She would often perform in a black-and-white tuxedo, while also flirting with female audience members.
Bentley was one of the first Black women to not only embrace her sexuality so openly in the beginning of her career but use it as a way to garner attention. Despite going “back in the closet” during the McCarthy era in the 1950s, Bentley was a trailblazer during the Harlem Renaissance.
2. Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992)
Marsha P. Johnson was one of the most iconic activists during the gay rights movement in the 1960s-70s. She fought for the rights of all LGBTQ+ members and was a vital figure in making sure the community obtained their rights.
After moving to New York City with only $15, she adopted the name Marsha P. Johnson, the “P” standing for “Pay it no mind.” She was a drag performer and a sex worker.
During the Stonewall riots in 1969, Johnson was on the front lines protesting against police brutality. According to the National Women’s History Museum, “Johnson, like many other transgender women, felt they had nothing to lose.”
Johnson would later go on to be involved in several gay rights activist groups; however, she would find herself parting ways with them due to the transphobia within the Gay community at the time.
3. Lucy Hicks Anderson (1886-1954)
Lucy Hicks Anderson was a pioneer for marriage equality and transgender rights. Born in 1886 in Waddy, Kentucky, Anderson insisted she was a girl and wore dresses to school. Her mother sought medical help for her, and under the advice of her doctor, allowed her to live as a girl.
At 15 she moved away from home and legally changed her name to Lucy, and at 34 she married Clarence Hicks and moved to Oxnard, Calif., where Anderson would later open a bordello. However, the couple divorced nine years later.
In 1944 she married a soldier, Reuben Anderson. A year later, after an outbreak of sexually transmitted diseases was alleged to have come from Anderson’s bordello, during a mandatory medical examination it was discovered that she was born male.
As a result, she and her husband were both charged with perjury and their marriage license was revoked. When taking the stand, Anderson said, “I defy any doctor in the world to prove that I am not a woman. I have lived, dressed, acted just like what I am, a woman.”
4. The Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall Riots are known as a pivotal point in LGBTQ+ history. These riots began a movement that is still living and breathing today. And guess what? They were largely headed by Black LGBTQ+ women.
After the New York City police violently raided the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969, six days of protests began. It is alleged that Stormé DeLarverie, a gay rights activist and drag king, threw the first punch.
Another iconic Stonewall activist is none other than Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, who fought for the rights of all LGBTQ+ members. Further, Marsha P. Johnson, alongside her friend Sylvia Rivera, spearheaded many of the protests during Stonewall.
5. Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)
Bayard Rustin is known as one of the key leaders during the civil rights movement.
Rustin was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1912, and was raised as a Quaker. In 1937 he moved to New York City, where he attended City College.
In 1956 Rustin would travel to Alabama to meet none other than Dr. Martin Luther King himself. He advised King on tactics of civil disobedience as well as taught him about Gandhi’s philosophies on nonviolence. He also assisted King with the 1956 Montgomery, Alabama bus protests.
But his most famous achievement was helping to ignite the March on Washington. In fact, it was Rustin who thought to expand the march’s focus to “jobs and freedom.”
After fighting for civil rights, Rustin later came out in the 1980’s as gay and worked to bring the AIDS crisis to the NAACP’s attention.