October is LGBT History Month, and each day this month the achievements of 31 different lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender icons will be honored. Each day the honoree’s bio, images, videos and additional resources are promoted by Equality Forum’s LGBT History Month to celebrate each icon's impact.
"We're the only minority worldwide that's not taught history at home, in school or religious institutions," said Malcolm Lazin, founder and executive director of Equality Forum.
A group of educators started Gay History Month in the mid 1990s, but “no one really took ownership of it,” Lazin said. “We decided to take responsibility for LGBT History Month.” Five years ago, Equality Forum launched the online history initiative, growing from 20 participating organizations to over 700 since in the last five years.
Since 2006, over 200 LGBT icons have been profiled. “Like every group that’s been marginalized, it really helps to make the case why we should take real pride in ourselves and our community,” Lazin explained.
Kye Allums, Alison Bechdel, Rita Mae Brown and Denise Eger are among the icons being celebrated this year who were featured at the beginning of the month.
Wanda Sykes will be honored on October 28, 2011. Also being honored are Lady Gaga (October 12), Victoria Kolakowski (October 20), Amelie Mauresmo (October 23) and Constance McMillan (October 24).
Watch the video below to find out more on the icons being honored this year, and visit the LGBT History Month site for more information on the honorees, photos, videos and additional resources.
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