Author Archives: lgbtqrepresent

#KaylaGore is the Southern Regional Director for the Transgender Law Center and has fought for housing equity for the trans community that is homeless, as well as in those unjustly treated by law enforcement. Together with #IllyahnnaCWattshall, she founded #MySistahsHouse, which provides emergency housing for #transgender and #gendernoncomforming people, specifically those who are Black, Indigenous, andContinue reading “Kayla Gore”

#JoseSarria (December 13, 1922 – August 19, 2013): Born in #SanFrancisco to Columbian parents of Spanish and Columbian origin, Sarria was a political activist who fought for the rights of #LGBTQIA people. Though also known as a drag performer and the creator of the #ImperialCourtSystem (now the second largest LGBTQ organization in the world), he was the first openly gay candidate forContinue reading “José Sarria”

#LadyJava (August 20, 1943 – ): Known as #SirLadyJava in some places, she is an American transgender rights activist, exotic dancer, singer, comedian, and actress. Born in #NewOrleans, she transitioned at a young age with the help of her mother and became actively involved in area nightlife as a young adult. She was active in theContinue reading “Lady Java”

#KimberlyDrew: The former social media manager for the #MetropolitanMuseumOfArt, she is currently an art curator and writer, going by the social media handle #MuseumMammy. Starting a Tumblr account while still in college called #BlackContemporaryArt, she aimed to highlight the work of black artists that was shown in major museums but lacked a presence on social media with the goal of makingContinue reading “Kimberly Drew”

#RuPaul (November 17, 1960 – ): Born in #SanDiego from parents from Louisiana, RuPaul was named by his mother, adding “Ru” from roux (the base of gumbo and other creole stews and soups). Raised a #Catholic, RuPaul and his sister moved to #Atlanta when he was 15 to study performing arts. He eventually worked atContinue reading “RuPaul”

#Divine (October 19, 1945 – March 7, 1988): Born Harris Glenn Milstead in #Baltimore, he was an only child raised #Baptist. Of his upbringing, he said, “I was an only child in, I guess, your upper middle-class American family. I was probably your American spoiled brat.” At 17, his parents sent him to a psychiatristContinue reading “Divine”

#JohnWaters (April 22, 1946 – ): Born in a suburb of #Baltimore, #Maryland, Waters was raised #Catholic, but strayed from the strictures of the Church as he got older. His boyhood friend #GlennMilstead (later known as #Divine) also grew up in the neighborhood. Inspired by movies and film, Waters grew up doing versions of #PunchAndJudyContinue reading “John Waters”

#MabelHampton (May 2, 1902 – October 26, 1989): Hampton was an American lesbian activist, a dancer during the #HarlemRenaissance, and a philanthropist for many Black and LGBTQ organizations. Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she was orphaned at a young age and sent to New York, where at the age of seven she was raised by an aunt andContinue reading “Mabel Hampton”