LGBT History Month 2013 Icons Announced
Equality Forum announced the 31 Icons for LGBT History Month 2013. The 2013 website is online at www.lgbtHistoryMonth.com.
“In its 8th year, there are 248 Icons with resources archived on the site, making LGBT History Month the free go-to site for LGBT role models, civil rights history, and our national and international impact,” stated Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director, Equality Forum and founder of LGBT History Month.
The Icons were selected from more than 500 nominations worldwide by LGBT History Month 2013 Co-Chairs George Chauncey, Samuel Knight Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department, Yale University; Jennifer Brier, Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago; and Don Romesburg, Assistant Professor, Sonoma State University. Professors Brier and Romesburg are Co-Chairs, Committee on LGBT History of the American Historical Association.
LGBT History Month 2013 Icons
1. Zackie Achmat - South African Activist
2. Edward Albee - Playwright
3. Gwen Araujo - Transgender Hero
4. Reinaldo Arenas - Cuban Author
5. Axel Axgil - Activist
6. Djuna Barnes - Author
7. Joseph Beam - Activist
8. Gad Beck - Holocaust Survivor
9. Joan Biren - Documentarian
10. Patrick Califia - Author
11. Mandy Carter - Activist
12. Willa Cather - Author
13. Tracy Chapman - Singer/Songwriter
14. Tim Cook – Apple CEO
15. Anderson Cooper - Journalist
16. Elio Di Rupo - Belgium Prime Minister
17. Martin Duberman - Historian
18. Tom of Finland - Artist
19. Brenda Howard – Mother of Pride
20. Nathan Lane - Actor
21. Queen Latifah - Entertainer
22. Simon Nkoli - South African Activist
23. Bruce Nugent - Author
24. Ma Rainey – Mother of the Blues
25. Sally Ride - National Hero
26. Marlon Riggs - Filmmaker
27. Vito Russo - Film Historian
28. Jose Sarria - Activist
29. George Takei - Actor
30. Jason Wu – Designer of Michelle Obama’s Gowns
31. John Lawrence & Tyron Garner – Won a Landmark Gay Rights Case
Each day in October, an Icon is featured with a video, biography, bibliography, downloadable images and other educational resources. These resources are available for free to the media, educational institutions, organizations and the public.
The 248 Icons from inception in 2006 to 2013 are archived on the site and accessed under “Icon Search” on the top navigation bar. Users, educators and journalists can find Icons in a cloud of more than 150 descriptors/tags.
LGBT History Month was launched in 2006 with 20 organizations having a link on their websites. In 2012, more than 1,000 organizations and educational institutions had a link, making LGBT History Month the LGBT community’s most collaborative project.
Secretary Arne Duncan launched LGBT History Month 2010 at the U.S. Department of Education. Nancy Pelosi issued a proclamation for LGBT History Month 2011.
In 2012, the LA Unified, Broward County (FL), and Palm Beach County (FL) school districts became the first districts to collaborate in LGBT History Month.
LGBT History Month teaches our history, enhances self-esteem, provides inspiring role models and makes a civil rights statement of the LGBT community’s impressive national and international contributions.
For assistance with story ideas, photos and contact information, contact Chip Alfred, Communications Director, Equality Forum, at chip@equalityforum.com or (215) 732-3378 x116.
Equality Forum (www.equalityforum.com), a national and international LGBT civil rights organization with an educational focus, coordinates LGBT History Month worldwide, produces documentary films, undertakes high-impact initiatives and presents annually the largest national and international LGBT civil rights summit.
