Renée Richards is believed to be the first transgender woman to play professional sports. She was thrust into the national spotlight, igniting fears and controversy, yet miraculously, she emerged victoriously, breaking sports barriers. Richards sued the U.S. Tennis Association in 1977 over requiring women to undergo genetic testing to compete in the U.S. Open. She… Continue reading OPHTHALMOLOGIST & TENNIS PLAYER: RENÉE RICHARDS

William Roscoe Leake, better known as Willi Ninja and the grandfather of Vogue, was renowned for popularizing the vogueing style of dance, characterized by dancers striking poses. He actively participated in Harlem Drag Balls, providing a space for people to express their gender identity freely. As a prominent choreographer and figure in the LGBTQ+ community… Continue reading DANCER & CHOREOGRAPHER: WILLI NINJA

Bayard Rustin was an American political activist and a key figure in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights. Notably, Rustin was the driving force behind the  March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom organization in 1963, a pivotal event in civil rights history. Later in life, while still dedicated to securing workers’ rights, Rustin aligned with ideological… Continue reading POLITICAL ACTIVIST: BAYARD RUSTIN

The Stonewall riots, also known as the Stonewall Uprising, Stonewall Rebellion, or simply Stonewall, were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that occurred in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. While these demonstrations were not the… Continue reading STONEWALL RIOTS

Leon Clouthier (They/He) has been calling Madison home for 18 years. A skateboarder, artist, musician, builder, and community organizer, Leon has left his mark on Madison’s community in many ways. They are one of the founders of Femme and Queer Skate Night, a weekly tradition that has brought queer and trans skaters together for over… Continue reading SKATEBOARDER, ARTIST, MUSICIAN, BUILDER, & COMMUNITY ORGANIZER: LEON CLOUTHIER

In 1978, With increasing interest in the gay liberation movement, and at the request of Harvey Milk, Gilbert Baker began designing a symbol for the gay liberation movement. He wanted it to be beautiful and unique and to symbolize the unified and vigorous LGBTQ community. The first pride flag was comprised of eight colorful stripes… Continue reading ARTIST & ACTIVIST: GILBERT BAKER

Lili Ilse Elvenes, better known as Lili Elbe, was a transgender woman and a successful Danish painter in the early 1900s. She was one of the first recipients of gender-affirming surgery and underwent five highly experimental surgeries in the 1930s. In 1931 she received the first known uterus transplant, hoping to start a family, but died… Continue reading Transgender Pioneer: Lili Elbe

Rock Hudson, originally named Roy Harold Scherer, Jr., was a highly accomplished film and television actor. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayals of romantic leading men during the 1950s and 1960s, especially in the many romantic comedies he starred in alongside his famous co-star, Doris Day. Although he hid his sexual orientation, it was… Continue reading SCREEN AND TELEVISION ACTOR: ROCK HUDSON

The late Divine, originally named Harris Glenn Milstead, was a resident of Baltimore who gained global fame as an unconventional and entertaining drag performer. Milstead and his friend, the avant-garde filmmaker John Waters, collaborated on several low-budget and controversial films in the early 1970s. Divine’s success extended beyond the big screen, with chart-topping hits such… Continue reading COUNTERCULTURAL DRAG PERFORMER & ACTOR: DIVINE

Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, was a renowned British singer and songwriter. He gained global recognition as the lead vocalist and pianist of the rock band Queen. Considered one of the best singers in the history of rock music, he was famous for his extravagant stage presence and four-octave vocal range. Mercury challenged the typical… Continue reading SINGER SONGWRITER: FREDDIE MERCURY