GLBT History Month is still a relatively new celebration. It was started back in the 1990s by teachers and community organizations who chose October as the month because public school is in session and National Coming Out Day occurs during this month. Endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association and other associations, GLBT History Month became Equality Forum’s responsibility in 2006.
GLBT History Month is still a relatively new celebration. It was started back in the 1990s by teachers and community organizations who chose October as the month because public school is in session and National Coming Out Day occurs during this month. Endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association and other associations, GLBT History Month became Equality Forum’s responsibility in 2006.
This celebration is extremly important because the GLBT community is the only community worldwide that does not learn its history at home, in public schools or in religious institutions. GLBT History Month teaches our heritage, provides role models, builds community and makes the civil rights statement of our extraordinary national and international contributions.
Modeled after Black and Women’s History months, GLBT History Month highlights annually the achievements of 31 gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender icons. Each year, the icons, living or dead, are selected for their achievements in their field significant contribution to GLBT civil rights. Equality Forum solicits nominations from state, national and international organizations and activists.
This year’s list of icons includes: Kye Allums, John Ashbery, Alison Bechdel, John Berry, Dustin Lance Black, Keith Boykin, Rita Mae Brown, Dan Choi, Aaron Copland, Alan Cumming, Denise Eger, Lady Gaga, Michael Guest, Neil Patrick Harris, Daniel Hernandez Jr., Langston Hughes, Frida Kahlo, David Kato, Michael Kirby, Victoria Kolakowski, David Kopay, Ricky Martin, Amelie Mauresmo, Constance McMillen, Ryan Murphy, Dan Savage, Amanda Simpson, Wanda Sykes, Lilli Vincenz, Virginia Woolf, and Pedro Zamora.
Equality Forum is a national and international GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum is a national and international GLBT civil rights organizations with an educational focus. Equality Forum coordinates GLBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high-impact initiatives and presents the largest annual international GLBT civil rights forum. For more information, visit www.equalityforum.com
