10 Black LGBTQ+ Trailblazers
In celebration of Black History Month, let's take the opportunity to learn about the Black LGBTQ+ individuals who played a crucial role in shaping the community. This compilation highlights 10 influential figures who made significant contributions during a period when living openly as a queer or trans person of color posed substantial challenges. Reflecting on their legacy is essential as we persist in the fight against racism, striving for a future that is more courageous and inclusive.
James Baldwin
(1924-1987)
James Baldwin was a novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist, navigating the intricate landscape of race, sexuality, and class distinctions in mid-20th-century America. His standout creation, "Giovanni’s Room," delved into the complexities of homosexuality and bisexuality, uniquely featuring an all-white cast distinct from his other works centered on Black experiences during the civil rights era.
In his dual capacity as a writer and activist, James dedicated considerable effort to enlightening others about the Black and queer experience. A true trailblazer, Baldwin's enduring impact is evident in the continued use of his poems and essays as educational tools, contributing to an expanded understanding of the Black Queer experience during the mid-20th century.
Marsha P. Johnson
(1945-1992)
Marsha P. Johnson emerged as a liberation activist, self-identified drag queen, performer, and survivor, truly embodying a persona ahead of her time. The "P" in her middle name symbolized "Pay It No Mind," her spirited response to inquiries about her gender. As a vocal advocate for transgender rights, Marsha played a pivotal role in the monumental Stonewall uprising of 1969. Collaborating closely with her comrade Sylvia Rivera, the two spearheaded the Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a radical political organization committed to offering housing and support to homeless queer youth and sex workers in Manhattan.
Marsha's remarkable life has been commemorated through numerous books, documentaries, and films, solidifying her status as one of the boldest trailblazers in LGBTQ+ history. Her legacy endures through the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, dedicated to safeguarding the human rights of Black transgender individuals.
Audre Lorde
(1934-1992)
Audre Lorde, a writer, feminist, womanist, librarian, and civil rights activist, identified herself as a "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, & poet." Renowned for her profound contributions in feminist theory, critical race studies, and queer theory, Audre played a pivotal role through her teachings and writing. Her work was a dedicated exploration and confrontation of injustices encompassing racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and homophobia.
In her writing, she channeled the anger and outrage sparked by the civil and social injustices she witnessed throughout her life. "I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We’ve been taught that silence would save us, but it won’t," remarked Lorde, encapsulating the essence of her commitment to giving a voice to the silenced and challenging the notion that silence could provide salvation.
Willi Ninja
(1961-2006)
Willi Ninja, a dancer, choreographer, and revered as the "Grandfather of Vogue," gained prominence for his role in the documentary film "Paris Is Burning." This award-winning 1990 documentary delved into the Harlem Drag Ball culture, providing a platform for Black and Latino youth to express nonconforming gender presentations. In 1982, Willi Ninja founded the House of Ninja, acting as a mother to a group of adopted gay and transgender youth in New York City.
Instrumental in creating and defining the dance form of voguing, Willi seamlessly blended exaggerated model poses with intricate mime-like choreography. Following his appearance in "Paris Is Burning," Willi ascended to fame, becoming a choreographer, musician, runway model, modeling coach, and an inspiration for artists who immortalized the style in their music videos. His legacy endures through the House of Ninja, where members continue to keep the art of voguing alive and advocate for their mother, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Stormé DeLarverie
(1920-2014)
Stormé DeLarverie, a performer, drag king, guardian, and caregiver for the LGBTQ+ community, originated from New Orleans. In her youth, she joined the Ringling Brothers Circus, showcasing her equestrian skills by riding jumping horses. Later in her life, Stormé took on the role of MC, the sole drag king, for the Jewel Box Revue, the pioneering racially integrated drag revue in the United States, touring the Black theater circuit.
Recognized as the butch lesbian whose altercation with the police was widely considered the catalyst for the Stonewall riots, Stormé became a pivotal figure, inciting the crowd to action. She later worked as a bouncer in various lesbian bars in New York City and held leadership roles in the Stonewall Veterans Association. Revered as the "guardian of lesbians in the Village," Stormé actively served the community as a volunteer patrol worker.
Beyond her remarkable contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, Stormé organized and performed at fundraisers for women and children affected by domestic violence. She epitomized the essence of a caregiver, extending her support to both the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Gladys Bentley
(1907-1960)
Gladys Bentley, a blues singer, pianist, and groundbreaking entertainer, emerged during the Harlem Renaissance. Her career soared when she took the stage at Harry Hansberry's Clam House in 1920s New York as a Black, lesbian, cross-dressing performer. In the early 1930s, she headlined at Harlem's Ubangi Club, accompanied by a chorus line of drag queens. Dressed in “men's attire,” including her distinctive tuxedo and top hat, Gladys played the piano, belting out her own risqué lyrics to popular tunes with a deep, growling voice while engaging in playful banter with women in the audience.
Despite facing criticism throughout her life for defying gender norms, Gladys remained courageous and paved the way for countless LGBTQ+ individuals for decades to come. A 2019 New York Times article hailed her as "Harlem’s most famous lesbian" during the 1930s, solidifying her status as one of the best-known Black entertainers in the United States.
Bayard Rustin
(1912-1987)
Bayard Rustin emerged as a prominent figure in social movements advocating for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights. Renowned as a key adviser to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard played a pivotal role in various initiatives. Collaborating with A. Philip Randolph on the 1941 March on Washington Movement, he fervently pushed for an end to racial discrimination in employment.
Bayard's involvement extended to organizing Freedom Rides and assisting in the formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where he strengthened Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership and imparted teachings on nonviolence. Subsequently, he served as an organizer for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Engaging actively in organizations like Crusade for Citizenship, In Friendship, and A. Philip Randolph Institute, Bayard dedicated his life to activism.
In recognition of his lifelong commitment, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Bayard Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Ernestine Eckstein
(1941-1992)
Ernestine Eckstein played a crucial role in steering the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States during the 1960s. As a leader in the New York chapter of Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), the inaugural lesbian civil and political rights organization in the country, she actively participated in "Annual Reminder" picket protests. Notably, Ernestine often stood as one of the few women, and the sole Black woman, present at early LGBTQ+ rights demonstrations.
Her engagement in the Civil Rights Movement provided valuable insights into public protest dynamics, benefiting the lesbian and gay movement. Collaborating with influential activists such as Phyllis Lyon, Del Martin, Barbara Gittings, Franklin Kameny, and Randy Wicker, Ernestine contributed significantly to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights. In the 1970s, she extended her activism to the black feminist movement, notably joining Black Women Organized for Action (BWOA).
Historical accounts depict Ernestine as someone who perceived the fight for civil rights and LGBTQ+ rights as inherently intertwined, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these two pivotal movements.
Barbara Jordan
(1936-1996)
Barbara Jordan, a lawyer, educator, and prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, achieved several groundbreaking milestones. In 1966, she made history by becoming the first Black person elected to the Texas Senate, followed by further milestones as the first woman and Black person elected to Congress from Texas in 1971. Barbara's political journey reached a pinnacle with her influential opening statement during the House Judiciary Committee hearings on the impeachment of Richard Nixon. She solidified her legacy as the first Black woman to deliver a keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention.
Recognizing her exceptional contributions, Bill Clinton awarded Barbara the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, acknowledging her as a political trailblazer. While Barbara never publicly disclosed her sexual orientation, she openly shared her life with Nancy Earl, her partner for nearly 30 years. Barbara Jordan's legacy is particularly powerful, considering she was the first Black Queer Woman to break numerous glass ceilings throughout her remarkable life.
Alvin Ailey
(1931-1989)
Alvin Ailey, a dancer, director, choreographer, and activist, left an indelible mark on the world of dance. Founding the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) and its affiliated Ailey School, he established these institutions as sanctuaries for fostering Black artistic talent and conveying the universal aspects of the African-American experience through dance. Ailey's innovative work seamlessly blended theatre, modern dance, ballet, and jazz with Black vernacular, using choreography imbued with hope to globally illuminate the essence of Black life in America.
His choreographic masterpiece, Revelations, stands out as one of the most popular and frequently performed ballets globally. In honor of the AAADT's 50th anniversary in 2008, then Mayor Michael Bloomberg designated December 4 as "Alvin Ailey Day" in New York City. Ailey's influential role in bringing dance to underserved communities earned him the posthumous award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014.
“History isn’t something you look back at and say it was inevitable, it happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.”
