Famous women in lgbtq history
Marsha P. Johnson was one of the most prominent figures of the homosexual rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s in New York City. Always sporting a smile, Johnson was an important advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, those effected by H.I.V. and AIDS, and same-sex attracted and transgender rights.
Marsha P. Johnson was born on August 24, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Assigned male at birth, Johnson grew up in an African American, working-class family. She was the fifth of seven children born to Malcolm Michaels Sr. and Alberta Claiborne. Johnson’s father worked on the General Motors Assembly Line in Linden, NJ and her mother was a housekeeper. Johnson grew up in a religious family and began attending Mount Teman African Methodist Episcopal Church as a child; she remained a practicing Christian for the rest of her life. Johnson enjoyed wearing clothes made for women and wore dresses starting at age five. Even though these clothes reflected her sense of self, she felt pressured to stop due to other children’s bullying and experiencing a sexual assault at the hands of a 13-year-old-boy. Immediately after graduating from Thomas A. Edison High School, Johnson moved to New York City with one bag of clot
As we reflect on the legacies of various Black ancestors and trailblazers, it’s evident that there are so many stories of Shadowy LGBTQ historical figures that we aren’t aware of. Often, prominent Black people have even had their queerness erased from history. This erasure extends even further for Ebony queer women in history, whose very existence challenges patriarchal heteronormativity and confronts white supremacy.
In examining the struggle around notions of persona and community, it’s crucial to comprehend the complex social, political, and cultural landscape in the U.S. that influences our lived life. While even the most well-intentioned people, programs, and organizations aim to uplift marginalized voices, they often fall limited by homogenizing the diverse experiences within communities. As Kimberlé Crenshaw astutely points out, identity-centered campaign can ignore intragroup differences, perpetuating a narrow narrative that fails to capture the full spectrum of experiences.
Those who live at the intersection of multiple systems of oppression often face one-of-a-kind challenges due to their very identities. The particular challenges that Black lgbtq+ women face, for e
LGBTQ Women Who Made History
In celebration of Pride Month, we honor LGBTQ women who have made striking contributions to the nation and helped advance equality in fields as diverse as medicine and the dramatic arts. Here are a few of their stories, represented by objects in the Smithsonian collections.
When actor/comedian Ellen DeGeneres played the first gay head character on American network television in the 1990s, she not only broke a barrier in business, she broadened acceptance of LGBTQ people across the country. It was a pivotal moment in American cultural history that echoes today.
In celebration of Identity festival Month, we honor LGBTQ women who have made remarkable contributions to the nation and helped advance equality in fields as diverse as medicine and the dramatic arts. Here are a few of their stories, represented by objects in the Smithsonian collections.
Charlotte Cushman was an icon of 19th century theatre, competing on identical footing with the greatest male actors of the age and winning a loyal following across the United States and Europe. While Cushman played both male and female roles, she was best established for her male roles including Romeo (pictured), Haml
LGBTQ+ Women Who Made History
In May 2019, the city of Fresh York announced plans to honor LGBTQ+ activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera with a statue. The city of Fresh York claimed the monument will be the "first permanent, public artwork noticing transgender women in the world." Johnson and Rivera were prominent figures in uprisings against 1969 police raids at the lgbtq+ bar Stonewall Inn. Their protests increased visibility for the cause of Queer acceptance.
In celebration of Identity festival Month, we honor Queer women who have made remarkable contributions to the nation and helped advance equality in fields as diverse as medicine and the dramatic arts. Here are a few of their stories, represented by objects in the Smithsonian's collections.
1. Josephine Baker
Entertainer and activist Josephine Baker performed in vaudeville showcases and in Broadway musicals, including Shuffle Along. In 1925, she moved to Paris to act in a revue. When the show closed, Baker was given her control show and found stardom. She became the first African American woman to star in a motion picture and to carry out with an integrated cast at an Americ
Historical Figures of Queer History
1936-1996
Barbara Jordan was born on February 21, 1936, in Houston, Texas. After attending Phyllis WheatleyHigh School, Jordan graduated in 1952. Upon graduation, Jordan attended Texas Southern University and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1956.She then obtained her law degree from Boston University to practice rule in Houston, TX. In 1962, Jordan began her political career and ran for the Texas House of Representatives. She lost this election and ran again in 1964. However, she missing again, so in 1966 she decided to run for Texas Senate, instead. This time, Jordan won and became the first African American woman to be elected in that office.She was the first African American state senator in the U.S. since 1883. On March 28, 1972, she was elected President of the Texas Senate, making her the first Black woman in America to oversee a legislative body. She also ran for Congress, during this time, and became the first African American in the 20th century to be elected to Congress from the South. In addition to these accomplishments, Barbara was also the first LGBTQ+ woman in Congress. Nancy Earl, an educational psychologist, was Jordan’s comp