The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TCU chapter.

Happy Black History Month! While learning about Black history should never be confined to a single month, February is a great time to highlight the stories and contributions that often go unheard. Today, let’s learn about Black members of the LGBTQ+ community, many of whom were absolutely vital in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. These activists not only spoke out about queer issues but also the importance of intersectionality within the greater struggle for social justice. Read, learn their names, and recognize their incredible work.

1. GLAdys Bentley (1907-1960)

Gladys Bentley, born in 1907, was a renowned blues pianist, singer, performer, and drag king. Originally from Philadelphia, she moved and began performing in New York at age 16. She was known for dressing in men’s clothes (particularly a signature tuxedo and hat), playing piano, coming up with bold and raunchy words to popular songs of the day, and flirting with female audience members. Early in her career, she identified openly as lesbian. She was a pioneer in the drag scene and was extremely popular for her iconic performances.

Later in life, Bentley married a man and claimed that she had been “cured” of homosexuality. Whether this was true or simply a product of the fear and repression of the McCarthy era, it is clear that Bentley was a multifaceted and complicated woman. Regardless, her impact has not been forgotten.

2. Bayard Rustin

Born in 1912, Bayard Rustin was one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest advisors on nonviolent resistance and a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. However, his contributions are not widely known due to an arrest early in his career that resulted in him being outed as a gay man. He feared the discrimination he faced as a result would negatively affect the Civil Rights Movement, so he took on a background role.

Rustin was very active in the Congress of Racial Equality, helped create the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and served as head of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. He served on several humanitarian missions and became a part of the LGBTQ+ movement and an advocate for AIDS education in the 1980s. On behalf of the New York State’s Gay Rights Bill, he testified that “gay people are the new barometer for social change.”

3. Stormé DeLarverie

Stormé DeLarverie, born in New Orleans in 1923, is best known for allegedly throwing the first punch at the infamous Stonewall Inn riot (although in interviews, she has hesitated to confirm or deny this idea.)

DeLarverie discovered a love for jazz at an early age and began singing in New Orleans, Europe, and New York City. She fought New York City law, which required every person wear at least three pieces of clothing that matched their gender assigned at birth by only doing drag onstage, but ended up being arrested twice in women’s clothing because cops believed she was a man.

In later years, she patrolled the streets of Greenwich Village, looking out for the lesbians and street kids of the area. She was a fierce bodyguard and defender of her community, providing unconditional safety and acceptance.

4. Audre Lorde

New York native Audre Lorde was born in 1934 and was a radical American poet, essayist, and autobiographer. She wrote primarily about lesbian feminism and racial issues. She also battled cancer for 14 years and documented her battle with the disease along with a feminist critique of the medical profession.

The topics and genres of her work varied widely, from poetry about social injustice and her lesbianism to more rhetorical and political volumes. Many consider The Black Unicorn her greatest work. In the piece, she explores her role as mother and daughter, taking inspiration from African imagery and mythology.

5. Martha P. Johnson

Martha P. Johnson was an immense figure in the New York City gay rights movement during the 1960s and 1970s. Born in New Jersey, she was assigned male at birth and faced bullying and sexual assault from her peers while she attended school due to her preference for women’s clothing, which expressed her most authentic self.

She adopted her name after moving to New York, the “P” standing for “Pay It No Mind,” which became her motto. She struggled to find housing and employment due to discrimination and participated in sex work. She found herself on the front lines of the Stonewall Inn resistance, which largely launched the gay rights movement. Johnson advocated against transphobia and founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries to shelter transgender children who were shunned by their families while continuing to perform with drag groups. She remains one of the most admired and recognized activists for LGBTQ+ rights.

6. Tyron Garner

Tyron Garner was a gay rights champion best known for his work to overrule Texas’ anti-sodomy law. This law made gay people out to be criminals; under this rule, law enforcement could not only detain gay people but could also deny them adoption and employment.

Garner was found guilty of sodomy in 1998 in Texas, and he appealed to the Supreme Court, which overruled his conviction and the sodomy law. He didn’t shy away from the attention he received, though it wasn’t by choice. Instead, he encouraged others to fight for the civil rights of all people. He stood firm in the face of discrimination, knowingly accepting further marginalization for the benefit of privacy and freedom for the entire country.

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