Between 1996 and 1997, three transgender women – known in in court records as A, D and G to protect their identities – were denied gender reassignment surgery by the North West Lancashire Health Authority in England. In 1999, the women brought a legal suit against the Health Authority.
One of the first individuals to receive gender-affirming surgery in the United States, Simmons was also well-known in Charleston society for her marriage to John Paul Simmons. Theirs was reportedly the first documented interracial marriage in South Carolina.
Stormé DeLarverie was a butch lesbian with zero tolerance for discrimination, or as she called it, “ugliness.” During an era that often showed hostility towards LGBTQ people, and queer women in particular, DeLarverie provided safety and acceptance.
American entertainer whose career spanned several decades and encompassed singing, acting, and dancing.
While Bea Arthur is widely recognized for her iconic roles in “Maude” and “The Golden Girls,” her life and career were rich with fascinating, lesser-known aspects.
American musician and singer-songwriter who passionately campaigns for AIDS education and the rights of those affected.
American lesbian activist and dancer during the Harlem Renaissance who played a vital role in Black and LGBTQ+ organizations, most notably the Lesbian Herstory Archives.
American butch lesbian, transgender activist, author, and communist. Her notable works include “Stone Butch Blues” (1993) and “Transgender Warriors” (1996), which played a significant role in gender studies.
Women’s rights activist and former Labour Member of Parliament for Northampton North
Carmen Rupe was a trailblazing transgender woman and entertainer, a larger-than-life personality, sex worker, and celebrated LGBTIQ+ icon. Proprietor of several notorious Wellington nightspots and one-time mayoral candidate, she pushed the boundaries of Wellington nightlife and both entertained and outraged New Zealanders during the 1960s and 1970s. The most visible transgender New Zealander of her time, she used her celebrity to advocate for LGBTIQ+ rights. She was well-known for helping homeless people and others in need.