• Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)  African-American civil rights activist and organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, openly gay, and fought for equality for all marginalized communities.

• Audre Lorde (1934-1992) - African-American writer, feminist, and civil rights activist, addressed intersectionality and advocated for the rights of marginalized communities, including the LGBT community. 

• Harvey Milk (1930-1978) - American politician and gay rights activist, the first openly gay elected official in California, fought for LGBT rights until his assassination.

• Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992) - African-American transgender activist and prominent figure in the Stonewall uprising, advocated for the rights of transgender individuals and other marginalized groups.

• Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002) - Latina transgender activist, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Front and Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), advocated for transgender rights and visibility.

• Del Martin (1921-2008) and Phyllis Lyon (1924-2020) - Lesbian activists and founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian organization in the United States.

• Barbara Gittings (1932-2007) - American activist who fought for LGBT visibility and equality, co-organized the first gay rights demonstrations at the White House and Independence Hall.

• Frank Kameny (1925-2011) - American gay rights activist, led the fight against the U.S. government's discriminatory policies towards LGBT individuals and played a key role in the removal of homosexuality from the list of mental disorders.

• Larry Kramer (1935-2020) - American playwright, author, and HIV/AIDS activist, co-founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis and ACT UP, advocating for awareness, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

• Christine Jorgensen (1926-1989) - American transgender woman who gained international recognition for her gender-affirming surgery, becoming an advocate for transgender rights.

• Cleve Jones (born 1954) - LGBT rights activist and creator of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and played a crucial role in the passage of the Ryan White CARE Act.

• Edie Windsor (1929-2017) - American LGBT rights activist, plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor, which led to the federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

• Tammy Baldwin (born 1962) - American politician and the first openly gay person elected to the U.S. Senate, a strong advocate for LGBT rights in Congress.

• RuPaul (born 1960) - American drag queen, singer, and TV personality, brought drag into the mainstream, promoting visibility and acceptance of the LGBT community.

• Chad Griffin (born 1973) - American LGBT rights activist, founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, played a crucial role in the legal fight for marriage equality in the United States.

• Laverne Cox (born 1972) - African-American transgender actress and advocate, known for her role in the TV series "Orange Is the New Black," works tirelessly for transgender visibility and rights.

• Gavin Grimm (born 1999) - American transgender rights activist, his lawsuit against a school board's policy prohibiting him from using the restroom aligned with his gender identity had a significant impact on transgender rights.

• Sarah McBride (born 1990) - American transgender rights activist and politician, the first openly transgender state senator in the United States, advocating for inclusive policies and equality for transgender individuals.

• Ryan Murphy (born 1965) - American TV producer and director, known for creating shows like "Glee" and "Pose" that depict LGBTQ+ characters and address social issues, contributing to increased visibility.

   

  

• George Takei (born 1937) - Japanese-American actor and LGBTQ+ activist, known for his role as Sulu in "Star Trek" and his advocacy work for marriage equality and social justice.

These individuals have made significant contributions to advancing LGBT rights in the United States, fighting for equality, visibility, and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Their tireless efforts have helped pave the way for progress and inspire future generations.

With all the progress made, the fight for equality is not over. Stay safe this month, and watch over each other.