The Philadelphia Equality Forum has announced its slate of 31 LGBT icons and history makers for its observance of LGBT History Month this October.
Everyday from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, the Forum will profile an LGBT icon with text and video on its website, glbthistorymonth.com. The videos and other materials are available for download for classroom discussions, presentations and more. The video can also be embedded in individuals’ websites and blogs.
The first icons to be honored will be Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, a legendary couple who’ve battled anti-gay and sexist prejudice their whole lives. Martin passed away last month, only two months after finally being able to legally wed the woman of her life. Martin and Lyon were the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian advocacy organization in the nation.
Other icons to be recognized include: Mark Bingham, the gay man famous for his “Let’s Roll” comment before taking back a hijacked plane from terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001 plane; singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge; actor/director John Waters; photographer Roger Maplethorpe and Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches. A full list is provided below.
The 2008 Icons
1. Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon
2. Stephen Sondheim
3. Gianni Versace
4. Sheila Kuehl
5. Tennessee Williams
6. Alice Walker
7. Greg Louganis
8. Bertrand Delanoë
9. Margaret Mead
10. Mark Bingham
11. Cleve Jones
12. Jann Wenner
13. Harvey Fierstein
14. Margarethe Cammermeyer
15. Anthony Romero
16. Melissa Etheridge
17. Gene Robinson
18. John Waters
19. Robert Mapplethorpe
20. Georgina Beyer
21. Tony Kushner
22. Rosie O’Donnell
23. Philip Johnson
24. E. M. Forster
25. Randy Shilts
26. Allen Ginsberg
27. Troy Perry
28. Bill T. Jones
29. Andy Warhol
30. Rachel Carson
31. Michelangelo
info: www.glbthistorymonth.com
