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.

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