Black History Month was started by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976. There are several organizations that help to celebrate and promote Black History Month, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), which is an LGBTQ rights organization dedicated to promoting equality and justice for Black LGBTQ people.
Here are some LGBTQ organizations that support and celebrate Black History Month:
- National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC): NBJC is an LGBTQ rights organization that is dedicated to promoting equality and justice for Black LGBTQ people. During Black History Month, the organization holds events, workshops, and rallies to celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ African Americans and to raise awareness about LGBTQ rights.
- Human Rights Campaign (HRC): The HRC is an LGBTQ rights organization that works to promote equality and justice for LGBTQ people. During Black History Month, the organization highlights the contributions of LGBTQ African Americans and works to raise awareness about LGBTQ rights and issues.
- Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal is an LGBTQ rights organization that provides legal services and advocacy for LGBTQ people. During Black History Month, the organization works to raise awareness about LGBTQ rights and issues and provides resources and support to LGBTQ African Americans.
- The National LGBTQ Task Force: The National LGBTQ Task Force is an LGBTQ rights organization that works to advance LGBTQ rights and equality. During Black History Month, the organization holds events and activities to celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ African Americans and to raise awareness about LGBTQ rights.
- The Transgender Law Center: The Transgender Law Center is an LGBTQ rights organization that works to advance transgender rights and equality. During Black History Month, the organization provides resources and support to Black transgender people and raises awareness about transgender rights and issues.
Here is a list of famous and notable LGBTQ Activists
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
(she/her) – Transgender rights activist and veteran of the Stonewall riots. She identifies as a transgender woman.
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy is a Black transgender woman and a prominent LGBTQ rights activist. She is best known for her work as an advocate for transgender rights, particularly for transgender women of color. Griffin-Gracy has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights and dignity of transgender people and is a veteran of the Stonewall riots in 1969, which is considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Throughout her life, she has been a powerful voice for transgender rights and continues to be an inspiration for many in the LGBTQ community.
Angela Davis
(she/her) – Feminist, scholar and political activist is known for her activism and advocacy around issues of race, gender, and social justice. She identifies as a lesbian.
Angela Davis is a Black feminist scholar, activist, and writer. She is a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement and the feminist movement. Davis is well known for her work on issues of race, gender, class, and oppression, and is a leading voice in the struggle for social justice and equality. She has been a professor of African American Studies and Feminist Studies at several universities and has written numerous books and articles on these topics. Throughout her life, Davis has been a strong advocate for Black people and marginalized communities and continues to be an important voice in the fight for social justice.
Sylvia Rivera
(she/her) – Transgender rights activist and veteran of the Stonewall riots. She identifies as a transgender woman.
Sylvia Rivera was a Latina transgender activist and a prominent figure in the LGBTQ rights movement. She was a veteran of the Stonewall riots in 1969, which is considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement, and was a co-founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), an organization dedicated to helping homeless transgender youth. Throughout her life, Rivera was a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights and worked tirelessly to bring visibility to the struggles of transgender people. She was a pioneer in the fight for transgender rights and continues to be an inspiration to many in the LGBTQ community. Despite facing discrimination and hardship throughout her life, Rivera never wavered in her commitment to advocating for LGBTQ rights and remains an important figure in the LGBTQ rights movement.
Marsha P. Johnson
(she/her) – Transgender rights activist and veteran of the Stonewall riots. She identified as a transgender woman.
Marsha P. Johnson was an African American transgender woman and a prominent LGBTQ rights activist. She was a veteran of the Stonewall riots in 1969, which is considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement, and was a co-founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), an organization dedicated to helping homeless transgender youth. Throughout her life, Johnson was a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights and worked tirelessly to bring visibility to the struggles of transgender people. She was a pioneering figure in the fight for LGBTQ rights and was known for her joyful and flamboyant spirit, which inspired many in the LGBTQ community. Despite facing discrimination and hardship throughout her life, Johnson never lost her passion for advocating for LGBTQ rights and remains an important figure in the LGBTQ rights movement.
Bayard Rustin
(he/him) – Civil rights activist and advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. He was openly gay.
Bayard Rustin was an African American gay man and a prominent civil rights activist. He was an advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. and was instrumental in organizing the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. Rustin was a Quaker and a pacifist, and was a strong advocate for nonviolence as a means of social change. He was also a pioneering figure in the LGBTQ rights movement and was an early advocate for gay rights. Despite facing discrimination and persecution for his sexual orientation and political activism, Rustin continued to work for social justice and equality throughout his life, and remains an important figure in the history of the Civil Rights Movement and the LGBTQ rights movement.
Audre Lorde
(she/her) – Feminist, poet, and writer knew for her activism and advocacy around issues of race, gender, and sexuality. She identified as a lesbian.
Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian feminist poet, writer, and activist. She was a leading voice in the feminist and LGBTQ rights movements and was known for her powerful and inspiring writing. Lorde was also a professor of English and a cultural critic, and was a prominent figure in the New York City LGBTQ community. She was an outspoken critic of racism, sexism, homophobia, and imperialism, and her writing and activism sought to address these intersecting forms of oppression. Lorde was also a strong advocate for self-care and the importance of emotional and physical healing, and she is remembered for her powerful and inspiring words on the importance of embracing one’s identity and speaking out against oppression. Despite facing discrimination and adversity throughout her life, Lorde remained committed to advocating for marginalized communities and continues to be an important voice in the struggle for social justice and equality.
Ruby Corado
(she/her) – Transgender rights activist and founder of Casa Ruby, a community center for LGBTQ individuals in Washington, D.C. She identifies as a transgender woman.
Ruby Corado is a Salvadoran transgender activist and the founder and executive director of Casa Ruby, a community center for LGBTQ individuals in Washington D.C. Corado is a pioneer in the fight for transgender rights and has been a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community for over two decades. Through her work at Casa Ruby, she has provided support and resources to thousands of LGBTQ individuals, and has worked tirelessly to bring visibility to the struggles of transgender people. Corado has also been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and has used her platform to raise awareness about the challenges facing the transgender community. Despite facing discrimination and adversity throughout her life, Corado remains committed to advocating for the LGBTQ community and continues to be an important voice in the struggle for transgender rights and equality.
Keith Boykin
(he/him) – Civil rights activist, writer, and television commentator known for his activism and advocacy around issues of race, gender, and sexuality. He identifies as gay.
Keith Boykin is an African American LGBTQ activist, author, and commentator. He was a White House aide during the Clinton administration and has since become a prominent voice in the LGBTQ rights movement. Boykin is the author of several books, including “Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America,” which addresses the intersection of race, sexuality, and culture in the African American community. He is also a regular commentator on political and cultural issues and has been a frequent guest on television and radio programs, including CNN, BET, and NPR. Boykin is also an advocate for LGBTQ rights and has been an outspoken critic of anti-gay policies and hate crimes. Despite facing discrimination and adversity throughout his life, Boykin remains committed to advocating for LGBTQ rights and equality and continues to be an important voice in the struggle for social justice.
Laverne Cox
(she/her) – Transgender rights activist and actress known for her role in the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black”. She identifies as a transgender woman.
Laverne Cox is an American actress, LGBTQ advocate, and transgender rights activist. She first gained recognition for her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black,” and has since become a prominent voice in the LGBTQ rights movement. Cox is the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, and has used her platform to raise awareness about the challenges facing the transgender community. She has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, and has worked to bring visibility to the struggles of transgender people, particularly trans women of color. Cox has also been an outspoken critic of anti-trans policies and hate crimes and has used her platform to raise awareness about these issues. Despite facing discrimination and adversity throughout her life, Cox remains committed to advocating for the LGBTQ community and continues to be an important voice in the struggle for transgender rights and equality.
