AUDRE LORDE was a self-described “black lesbian mother warrior poet”. Her writing covered everything from civil rights to sexuality to her own battle with breast cancer. She dedicated her life and creative talent to fighting the injustices of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia.

BAYARD RUSTIN was an openly gay civil rights activist who is known for being a close advisor to Dr. King. He was a key organizer of the famous 1963 march on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Dr. King gave his historic ‘I have a dream’ speech. He was arrested multiple times for his own civil disobedience and open homosexuality, but he never stopeed fighting for equality.

CHRISTINE JORGENSEN was one of the first people to openly come out as transgender. She became an overnight sensation in the 1950s when she returned to the US after undergoing sex reassignment surgury in Europe. Having been drafted into the army straight out of high school, headlines often remarked on her GI background as well as her long legs, blonde hair, and epic fashion.

RUPAUL is an entertainer who helped carve out a place for drag in American pop culture. As well as being arguably the most famous drag queen of the 1990s and early 21st century, he has produced and hosted the reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race since 2009. The show has received six Primetime Emmy Awards, in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.