October 2010 will mark the fifth anniversary of GLBT History Month sponsored by Equality Forum – an international civil rights organization. This year, Equality Forum has invited none other than First Lady Michelle Obama into its fold. No word yet on whether or not the First Lady plans to attend.
According to the GLBT History Month website:
In the 1990's, teachers and community organizations determined that a month should be designated for GLBT history. They chose October because public schools are in session and traditions, such as National Coming Out Day, occur then.
GLBT History Month is endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association, and other national organizations. In 2006, Equality Forum assumed responsibility for GLBT History Month.
Beginning in 2006, GLBT History Month has honored one public figure per day throughout the month of October. The honoree is showcased on the official GLBT History Month website with complimenting links, images, videos and anything else applicable to demonstrate the inductees’ contribution to the community. There have been a total of 124 gay and gay-friendly honorees’ since the 2006 inception of GLBT History Month.
Our Favorite Lesbians (& Supporters) Recognized for GLBT History Month Years 2006-2009
Tammy Baldwin Congresswoman
Carolyn Bertozzi scientist
Georgina Beyer transgender politician
Margarethe Cammermeyer military officer
Rachel Carson environmental pioneer
Angela Davis civil rights activist
Ellen DeGeneres entertainer
Ruth Ellis activist
Melissa Etheridge singer/songwriter
Barbara Gittings Gay Pioneer
Sherry Harris politician
Zora Neale Hurston author
Cherry Jones actress
Barbara Jordan congresswoman
Kate Kendell attorney
Sheila Kuehl politician
k.d. lang singer
Annie Leibovitz photographer
Rachel Maddow commentator
Nancy Mahon philanthropist
Deirdre McCloskey economist
Margaret Mead anthropologist
Pauli Murray attorney
Martina Navratilova tennis champion
Joan Nestle historian
Florence Nightingale health care reformer
Rosie O’Donnell entertainer
Suze Orman financial expert
Renee Richards transgender pioneer
Sylvia Rivera transgender activist
Hilary Rosen commentator
Bessie Smith singer
Stephen Sondheim lyricist/composer
Gertrude Stein author
Sheryl Swoopes basketball player
Lily Tomlin actor
Virginia Uribe educator
The 2010 list of activists and advocates has just been released and include the following lesbian-familiar names:
Sharon Farmer – White House Photographer
Leslie Feinberg – Author/Activist
Mara Keisling – Transgender Activist
Sharon Lubinski – U.S. Marshal
Jane Lynch – Actress
Patsy Lynch – Photographer
Cynthia Nixon – Actress
Catherine Opie – Photographer
Eleanor Roosevelt – First Lady
Additional honorees include and have included: Cleve Jones, Harvey Milk, Matthew Shepard, Rufus Wainwright, Tom Ford, Stephen Soundheim, Tennessee Williams, Mark Bingham, Harvey Fierstein, Anthony Romero, John Waters, Andy Warhol, Michelangelo, Cary Grant, Cole Porter, and others. View the full list here.
Read more of Sarah's stories here.
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