Blog Archives

Judy Shepard (1952 - )

6/30/2024

As Pride Month comes to an end, let us recognize Judy Shepherd – who, like Jeanne Manford, our June 1 honoree – turned tragedy into meaningful activism. Like Manford, Judy Shepherd’s gay son was the target of unthinkable violence, prompting this saddened and angry mother to devote her life to fighting hatred and discrimination. On October —, 1998, 21-year-old Matthew Shepherd, an openly gay student at the University of Wyoming, was senselessly beaten and left to die by the side of a country road. Matthew’s murder was one of the most high-profile hate crimes against LGBT people in history – an act that forced America to face its deep-seated homophobia. In response to his death, Judy Shepherd, supported by her husband, Dennis, joined the 13-year crusade by LGBT groups and others to get legislation passed. They were ultimately instrumental in getting Congress to pass the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act that introduced federal protections for crimes based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability and strengthened penalties for crimes based on race, religion, and national origin. Judy and her husband also established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to provide national and regional support and resources to LGBTQIA+ youth and their families and to fund events and artistic projects that amplify Matthew’s story and foster change and understanding. This past May, Shepherd was one of nineteen heroes who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award from President Biden. She continues to speak out whenever and wherever she can to remind us that we cannot be complacent and must be fierce advocates for constructive social change and against hatred and injustice in our increasingly divisive world.

Walt Whitman (1819 - 1892)

6/29/2024

To place the iconic 19th-century poet Walt Whitman on a list recognizing trailblazing LGBTQ+ individuals may be questioned by some, but for many scholars, this trailblazing poet, who “heard America singing,” belongs. While his free-flowing verse and unconventional narrative style championed democracy, the glory of nature, and the American experience, he also celebrated freedom, sensuality, love of the male form, and even his love for Irish immigrant Peter Doyle, whom many believe was the love of his life. Whitman wrote at a time in our country when there were no labels for gay, bisexual, or queer identity. Scholars have noted that he struggled to balance his egocentric wish to be “beloved” as a great poet with his desire to offer honest reflections of his inner self. The question of his identity continues to be debated, as do his lifestyle choices. In his own lifetime, he was harshly criticized for writing what was seen as lewd, offensive, and scandalous. Toward that end, he kept revising his masterwork, Leaves of Grass, to better conform to societal norms. Today, Whitman is one of the most influential writers of all time and the “poet of democracy,” who continues to inspire generations of poets and all those who wish to live authentically. He also continues to spark important discussions about how we view the lives of well-known figures of the past in the context of the times in which they lived and the expansive norms of the modern day. Walt Whitman and his masterful poetry will never be forgotten.

Martin Duberman (1930 - )

6/28/2024

At nearly 94 years of age, celebrated historian/author/ activist Martin Duberman is carrying the same spark that he felt after the Stonewall riots in 1969, the 55th anniversary of which is celebrated today. The author of more than 25 books, including award-winning works on African-American history, abolitionist history, civil rights history, the AIDS crisis, and social movements, Duberman wrote what many have called the definitive history of the Stonewall riots. Stonewall (1993) offers a riveting account of the seminal event in gay liberation and its aftermath that galvanized active resistance and action across the country after years of unequal treatment and harassment of the LGBTQ+ community. While his books on LGBT history and biography have had a significant impact, it is ironic that he spent many years trying to heal himself of his same-sex attraction. His memoir, Cures: A Gay Man’s Odyssey, and three other revealing memoirs recount his tortured journey to acceptance and his subsequent life on the frontlines of advocacy. It should be noted that after his coming out in 1972, Duberman became a major force for change. In 1986, he founded the Center for Gay and Lesbian Studies at the City University of New York, America’s first academic research institution, focusing on LGBT issues, and he served as its director for ten years. Additionally, he served on co-founding boards of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Lamba Legal Defense Fund, both of which are recognized for their groundbreaking work on social justice. Ever the radical, Duberman is unafraid to provide cogent commentary and insightful examination of the times in which we live. He cautions that there can be no complacency when it comes to social justice issues, and even in his golden years, Martin Duberman continues to be active. His latest book, Line of Dissent: Gay Outsiders and the Shaping of History, was published in January of this year. In May of this year, Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences awarded him its 2024 Centennial Medal for his life of service and community-building on behalf of marginalized people everywhere. It is well-deserved.

Kiyoshi Kuromiya (1943 - 2000)

6/27/2024

On National HIV Testing Day, we recognize AIDS, anti-war, civil rights activist, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, whose emboldened work on behalf of individuals, living with HIV/AIDS so defined the era. Born in a Wyoming Japanese-American internment camp during World War II, Kuromiya seemed to be everywhere - the “Forrest Gump of Activism,” as he called himself. As a participant in the 1963 March on Washington, he met Martin Luther King Jr., became his personal assistant/confidante, and marched with him in Selma. During the Vietnam War he used his creativity to attract thousands to anti-war demonstrations, including those at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago and at Abbie Hoffman’s historic “Levitate the Pentagon” protest. Following the Stonewall Riots, he became actively involved in LGBT activism, co-founding the Gay Liberation Front, one of the most radical pro-gay political organizations of the time. In addition to his work for LGBT causes during the 1970’s, Kuromiya also helped utopian scientist/philosopher Buckminster Fuller translate his complicated ideas into books that could be understood by the general public. During the AIDS Crisis of the 1980’s and 1990’s as a founding member of ACT-UP Chicago, he edited the first medical and cultural competency guidelines produced for people living with the disease. He also played a crucial role in empowering individuals through his pioneering use of the internet to disseminate HIV/AIDS news and resources through websites he developed. As founder of Philadelphia’s Critical Care Project he sought to provide accurate and up-to-date information at a time when confusion and misinformation about HIV was rampant. Ironically, he was diagnosed with AIDs himself in 1989 and passed in 2000 from AIDS-related complications. Prior to his death, he was also the lead plaintiff in Kuromiya vs. United States of America, a 1999 Supreme Court case that tried, but failed to establish the right to compassionate medical use of marijuana to treat people with AIDS-related nausea and wasting. Kuromiya’s life provides an inspiring benchmark for civil rights advocates everywhere, especially on a day when people are encouraged to get tested for HIV.

Robin Roberts & Amber Laing

6/26/2024

On this date nine years ago, the US Supreme Court made its landmark decision, requiring all states to perform and recognize the marriage of same-sex couples with equal rights and responsibilities. Who better to recognize on this important ruling than broadcaster Robin Roberts and her wife, businesswoman Amber Laing, whose nineteen-year relationship continues to inspire many for its tale of love and resilience in the face of adversity. The widely popular co-anchor of Good Morning, America, ABC-TV’s #1 morning program Roberts, has won numerous awards for her fabled broadcasting career that includes 15 years as a sportscaster with ESPN and 19 years as co-anchor of GMA. Once a dancer, Laing is a massage therapist and co- founder of Plant Juice Oils, a woman’s organic wellness store that boasts a line of CBD-infused oils. Roberts met Laing on a blind date set up by friends. Over the nearly two decades which followed, they have overcome countless health and personal challenges with courage and loving care. Laing was there for Roberts when Hurricane Katrina destroyed Roberts’ hometown, Pass Christian, Mississippi. They have also grieved the losses of their parents and supported one another with their individual bouts with breast cancer and Robert’s life-saving bone marrow transplant in 2012, when she was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow. The couple had put off getting married for many years to deal with their health issues but were thrilled to tie the knot in a ceremony in the backyard of their home in Farmington, Connecticut. (Incidentally, drinks at their wedding reception were decorated with edible sugar discs that read “Love wins.”) Now healthy and living life to the full as wife and wife, Roberts and Laing have numerous worthy causes, including the Robin Roberts Cancer Thrivership Fund of the V Foundation that supports cancer research and helps “to turn survivors into thrivers.”

Allucquére Rosanne “Sandy” Stone (1936 -)

6/25/2024

For her exceptional life of accomplishment, there is no better LGBTQIA+ representative than American transgender pioneer Allucquére Rosanne “Sandy” Stone. In March of this year, Sandy Stone was inducted into the prestigious National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York, the birthplace of women’s rights in America. As its first and only transgender woman, she was so honored for her significant contributions as an author, academic, media theorist, performance artist, educator, and programmer. During the 1960s and 70s, Stone was the sought-after sound engineer for such musical giants as Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Assigned male at birth, she transitioned very publicly in the 1970s and established herself as a staunch advocate and feminist, helping many to understand womanhood and being a transgender woman. From 1976 to 1978, she was the sound engineer at Olivia Records, the legendary lesbian musical collective that combined activism, sexuality identity, and music., but she resigned when controversy increased over her working for a lesbian-identified business as a transgender woman. A graduate of St. John’s College in Maryland, Stone wrote the seminal 1987 essay “The Empire Strikes Back: A Post-transexual Manifesto,” which was such a powerful call to action for both research and the creation of space spaces for her community that she is now considered a founder of the academic discipline called Transgender Studies. She was also a computer science pioneer and founder of the multidisciplinary ACTLab (Advanced Communications Technologies Laboratory) in 1993 at the University of Texas at Autin, where she continues teaching as an Associate Professor. She is also an internationally acclaimed digital media theorist and artist who has helped to forge the field of New Media Art and Theory, fostering artworks produced and designed by means of electronic media technologies. As if all these accomplishments were not enough, Stone has also written numerous science fiction tales under the pen name of “Sandy Fisher” for science fiction magazines and has collaborated on a number of interactive performance art pieces and installations that explored the impact of technology on society and identity. At age 88, Stone continues to fight bigotry and inspire new, expansive forms of thinking and creativity.

George Sand (1804 - 1876)

6/24/2024

An iconic figure in LGBTQ+ history, French author George Sand, the pseudonym for Amantine-Lucille-Aurore Dupin George Sand, was an early pioneer for women’s rights and independence through both her personal and professional life. Flouting the rules and etiquette of the 19th Century, she chose to wear men’s clothing and smoke in public and to conduct high profile affairs with many artists and intellectuals, including the composer, Frederic Chopin and the writers, Alfred de Musset and Prosper Mérimée. Her intimate friendship with the actress Marie Dorval continues to spark debate and discussion and while it has never been verified, many scholars believe that Sand was a bisexual. She was married once and had two children. One of the most widely read authors of the Romantic Era, she wrote plays, children’s tales, political texts, an autobiography and more than 70 novels – most espousing surprising progressive themes. Indiana (1832) examines the plight of women in the 19th century and critiques the institution of marriage while Lélia (1833) advocates the same standard of morality for men and women. Considered her masterpiece, Consuelo (1842-1843) tells a tale of artistic growth and moral development, reflecting the author’s love of passion, freedom and adventure and The Devil’s Pool (1846) explores the struggle in rural France between tradition and change. In short, George Sand’s extraordinary life and work still has a profound resonance and meaning in today’s world.

Lil Nas X (1999 - )

6/23/2024

Award-winning American rapper, singer and songwriter, Lil Nas X is a role model for those wishing to live authentic lives and for young members of the LGBTQ+ community, who have applauded his hugely successful, transparent life on the world stage. Born Montero Lamar Hill, 25-year-old Lil Nas X is one of the most influential figures in the music industry, pushing boundaries and confronting its narrow notions of sexuality, masculinity and self-acceptance. Indeed, during the record-breaking 19-week reign of his song “Old Town Road” on the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, he unapologetically came out as gay and began breaking barriers. Since then, he has made his autobiography central to his bold music and videos and while they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they are sparking broader conversations about societal norms, sexuality, love, freedom and self-expression. Lil Nas X has also become a fashion icon, fearlessly expressing his identity on runways and in videos with a colorful wardrobe that is redefining traditional masculine styles. Unafraid to reveal his own struggles with depression and anxiety, he is also an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. As a philanthropist, he has made significant contributions, particularly in support of LGBTQ+ and mental health causes, inspiring and empowering others to do the same.

Natalie Diaz (1978 - )

6/22/2024

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet/educator/activist Natalie Diaz identifies as a Latinx queer woman and a member of the Mojave and the Gila River Indian community of the Pima in Arizona. Growing up with a diverse language and family background that mixed the Spanish and Mexican culture of her father with the Mojave traditions of her mother, Diaz has celebrated her heritage throughout her career and has not shied away from exposing the challenges of life for Native Americans. Her first book, My Brother Was an Aztec won the 2013 American Poetry Award for its dark, often humorous depiction of a sister, grieving her brother’s drug addiction. Her second book Postcolonial Love Poem was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its heartfelt poems that explore the power of love and being loved and the overwhelming desire to be seen and heard. Diaz’s poetry provides a truthful look at American history and the often-brutal treatment of indigenous people. Yet her poems move beyond the anger to a place where love, understanding and hope for a better future can bloom and grow. A graduate of Old Dominion University and a professor at Arizona State University, where she is the Founding Director of The Center for Imagination in the Borderlands, she is a tireless advocate for the preservation of indigenous languages and history and a literary artist who is making a difference.

Aaron Copeland (1900 - 1990)

6/21/2024

What better person to recognize on World Music Day than composer/conductor/teacher/writer Aaron Copeland. Having created an instinctively identifiable American sound that evokes the pioneer spirit and landscape of this country, Copeland became one of the most influential 20th-century composers. Determined not to repeat himself, he wrote distinctively optimistic pieces in a variety of genres - from the trumpet blasts of Fanfare for the Common Man to the Wild West hoedowns of Billy the Kid and Rodeo; from the opera, The Tender Land to the film scores to the Red Pony, Our Town and Of Mice and Men. His Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork, Appalachian Spring, gave new life and meaning to the Shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts,” while A Lincoln Portrait melded the words of the president with soaring melodies. Copeland will forever be associated with Tanglewood, the home of summer music in the Berkshires, where he served for 25 years as teacher, conductor, and mentor to many, including his protégé, Leonard Bernstein. Copeland was a private man who lived openly as a gay man but, like many of his generation, did not talk about his sexuality. His legacy includes the Aaron Copland Fund for Composers, which annually bestows over $500,000 in grants, and the Aaron Copeland Circle at Tanglewood, where his ashes were scattered and where there is a bronze bust in his honor.

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