LGBTQ Awareness: Heroes of the LGBT Civil Rights Movement (Exhibition)

"This exhibition highlights the remarkable LGBTQ pioneers who have made significant contributions to the movement’s history and were front and center at the birth of the LGBTQ civil rights movement..."

“Coming out in a picket line in 1965 was downright revolutionary. We were just at the start of cracking that cocoon of invisibility.”

"An openly gay Quaker pacifist, Rustin was one of the most important and influential civil rights activists of the 20th century..."

The following people contributed to these respective communities: Cheryl Chase to the intersex community. Lou Sullivan to the female-to-male transgender community. Christine Jorgensen to the transgender community, at large. Sylvia Rivera to the cross-dressing community.

"In 1955, Martin and Lyon led the founding of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian organization in the U.S...."

Dorr Legg contributed articles to ONE Magazine and believed in devoting study to the homosexual community in order to help society gain acceptance. Jim Kepner was a contributor to ONE Magazine and developed a reputation as a gay historian.

"Sandifer fought for gay, lesbian, women’s, elderly, laborer, prisoner, and minority causes, creating a wide network of humanitarian affiliations and memberships..."

Edith Windsor: "...Windor’s most significant impact on the LGBT civil rights movement is her role as plaintiff in United States v Windsor..." Ivy Bottini worked within the lesbian community and organizations helping with the AIDS crisis in Los Angeles.

Harry Hay is considered one of the founding members of the gay civil rights movement due to his extensive involvement. Frank Kameny helped end the APA listing of homosexuality as an illness, among other achievements.

"...Benjamin organized a network of doctors and psychologists into the Harry Benjamin Foundation to assist transgender people in obtaining surgery..."

"...Although Milk spearheaded the passing of a city-wide LGBT anti-discrimination bill, his greatest notoriety came in his speeches and debates against State Senator John Briggs and his proposition to ban LGBT teachers from schools..."

Jeanne Cordova is best known for her work in the lesbian community in Los Angeles. Andre Lorde: "“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

"When legendary drag performer José Sarria was arrested on a morals charge in the 1950s, he vowed “to be the most notorious impersonator or homosexual or fairy or whatever you want to call me—and you would pay me for it.”

As a novelist and playwright, Larry Kramer used his creative talents to form theatrical protests to draw attention to the AIDS crisis. Cleve Jones helped make the AIDS Memorial Quilt grow into the community project it is today and continues to help strengthen a coalition between the LGBTQ and Labor communities.

O'Leary made great contributions to the lesbian and gay communities of Los Angeles and "was the first openly gay person appointed to a presidential commission during the Carter administration." Woo "was a leader in the socialist feminist organizations Radical Women and Freedom socialist party." Boozer is most known for delivering "one of the most powerful speeches of the 1980 Democratic Convention."

"Emmy- and Peabody-award-winning documentarian Marlon Riggs’ films confront issues of racism and homophobia..."

"...Through his philanthropy, Erickson advanced transgender medical and support services more than any individual or organization in the era..."

Baker and McConnell applied for a marriage license, were denied, and McConnell was further denied a job offer by the University of Minnesota. Endead, inspired by the struggles of Baker and McConnell, became a legal force for gay rights in Minnesota and then Washington D.C. Hart was a fierce champion of social justice and devoted her life to defending the rights of the most vulnerable in society.

"Expelled from his congregation because he was gay, Perry decided to create “a church for all of us who are outcast.”

Achtenberg is well-known in the LGBT community for her work in government. Apuzzo was largely involved in getting justice for those effected by the AIDS crisis. Vaid has worked within the legal system promoting civil liberties and other matters important to the LGBTQ community. Noble is best known as being the first openly LGBT person elected to state office.