{"id":8214,"date":"2024-10-01T20:31:48","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T20:31:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/translash.org\/?p=8214"},"modified":"2026-03-11T16:48:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T16:48:21","slug":"trans-affirming-guide-to-lgbt-history-month-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/translash.org\/articles\/trans-affirming-guide-to-lgbt-history-month-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Trans-Affirming Guide to LGBT History Month"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here at TransLash, our mission is to tell trans stories to save trans lives. Through\u00a0podcasts,\u00a0documentaries,\u00a0live shows\u00a0and more, we\u2019ve told stories that have educated, entertained, and captivated. This October, we\u2019re celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month (#LGBTHistoryMonth\u00a0on Twitter) by spotlighting trans, non-binary, intersex, and two-spirit leaders and visionaries.\u00a0LGBTQIA+ History Month must never erase trans and TGNC people.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The History of \u2018LGBT History Month\u2019 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1994,\u00a0Rodney Wilson<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 a gay high school teaching Missourian (along with a few community members) \u2014 founded \u201cLGBT History Month\u201d to give young LGBTQIA+ kids the opportunity to learn their history, and understand it as a mirror: seeing themselves in the people that came before them. They chose October as the month to celebrate because of\u00a0National Coming Out Day<\/a>, which is on October 11th.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lgbthistorymonth.com<\/a>, a project of Equality Forum since 2006, spotlights thirty-one LGBTQIA+ icons every year voted on by fans of pop culture, history, and more. While the hashtag #LGBTHistoryMonth doesn\u2019t explicitly demonstrate intersex & TGNC inclusion, check out the TGNC folks who made it onto this year\u2019s list!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Althea Garrison, State Representative<\/strong>\u00a0| Althea served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in the early 90\u2019s, but was only able to serve one term. Garrison is also known as the first\u00a0transgender\u00a0person to be elected to a state legislature in the United States.\u00a0<\/a><\/sup>She was\u00a0outed\u00a0against her will by the\u00a0Boston Herald<\/em>\u00a0after her election in 1992. She has run for office more than 14 times since then.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashley Diamond, Transgender Prison Activist<\/strong>\u00a0| Ashley made national headlines in 2016 with the\u00a0landmark win against the Georgia Department of Corrections<\/a>, which allows for trans people to receive \u201cconstitutionally appropriate medical and mental health treatment,\u201d according to the New York Times. She\u2019s currently incarcerated and faces harassment, discrimination, and denial of healthcare.\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Janelle Monae, Actress and Singer<\/strong>\u00a0| Janelle Monae is a talented actress and singer, who\u2019s connection to gender identity can only be described through the quote from the Steven Universe meme that caused Monae to tweet the hashtag #IAmNonBinary (though, they really don\u2019t conform to a title), \u201cI\u2019m not a woman, I\u2019m not a man. I\u2019m an experience.\u201d\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Twitter\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historic Trans, Intersex, and TGNC Siblings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alan L. Hart<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
via Wikipedia<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alan L. Hart <\/strong>was a pioneering radiologist and physician, as well as a tuberculosis researcher. He transitioned after completing medical school, and navigated a 15-year career of bouncing from one hospital to another, since people often still recognized him from school and would out him without his consent. Alan was actually the person who discovered that tuberculosis could be detected through use of X-rays<\/a>, which saved countless of lives worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angela Morley<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
via Wally Stott<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Angela Morley<\/strong>\u00a0is an icon for many reasons: she\u2019s a two-time Emmy award winner, was one of the few female composers of her time, and was also\u00a0the first openly trans person to be nominated for an Academy Award<\/a>. She left an incredible legacy, with a grandiose soundtrack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christine Jorgensen <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
via Brittanica<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Christine Jorgensen<\/strong>\u00a0was a singer and performer from the Bronx, who catapulted into national recognition in 1952 after taking her first steps toward gender-affirming surgeries overseas, since they were illegal at the time in the US. Unfortunately, her medical transition was viewed more as a testament to medical advancements, and less as an affirmation of her identity, per societies view of her at the time. This journey resulted in her being known as America\u2019s \u201cfirst trans celebrity<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgina Beyer<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
via New Zealand Herald<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before becoming the\u00a0first openly trans mayor and Member of Parliament in New Zealand<\/a>,\u00a0Georgina Beyer<\/strong>\u00a0lived through life creatively, as an actor, cabaret singer, and sex worker. She changed the political mainstream culture through speaking on her life before political work in office, shifting the perspective on transgender people and LGBTQIA rights in NZ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hastiin Klah<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
via Palace of the Governors Photo Archives, New Mexico History Museum, Santa Fe<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hastiin Klah<\/strong>\u00a0was a prolific master of sand painting, chanting, weaving, and healing. The Din\u00e9 tradition honors multiple genders, and Hastiin was considered a N\u00e1dleehi (\u201cone who changes\u201d). Klah, according to historical sources, is believed to have been intersex. Hastiin single-handedly saved the Navajo weaving tradition in the face of religious persecution, and went on to be the co-founder of the still-active\u00a0Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian<\/a>\u00a0in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Klah passed away before the museum opened in 1937.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jari Jones<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
@iamjarijones<\/a> on Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jari Jones\u00a0<\/strong>is a Black, trans model, actress, and activist, who spreads and exudes joy and inspiration everywhere she goes. She fronted the largest Calvin Klein Pride campaign, where she spread her message of hope and love. \u201cI\u2019m a mom to a whole bunch of queer youth<\/a>,\u201d she says. \u201c\u2026They have things against them \u2014 they\u2019re of color, they\u2019re queer, they\u2019re trans, and I\u2019m just there to be their support.\u201d\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julian Gavino<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
@thedisabledhippy<\/a> on Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With the mission of representation backing him,\u00a0Julian Gavino<\/strong>\u00a0spreads light to the world as a model, a writer, a\u00a0life coach<\/a>\u00a0and a social media influencer. His work as an activist sheds light on the discrimination people with disabilities face, and is also full of creativity, with him even taking his wheelchair down the runway at New York Fashion Week. Julian is sure to continue to smash the ceilings on his way up to change making.\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nisha Ayub<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
via The Seed Foundation<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nisha Ayub<\/strong>\u00a0is a Malaysian trans activist. She co-founded\u00a0The SEED foundation<\/a>, a non-profit organization that provides support to transgender people, sex workers, and people living with HIV, as well as the group\u00a0Justice for Sister<\/a>, which organizes public talks to raise awareness about and take action against trans issues. In 2016, she became the first trans person to receive the International Women of Courage Award from the US Secretary of State.\u00a0Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vanessa Warri<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vanessa Warri\u00a0<\/strong>is the first Black trans woman to be in the MSW program at the University of California, where she is studying with the goal of making the world a safer and more equitable place for Black trans women. Additionally, she also has a history of work as a strategist and consultant for nonprofits and community-based organizations that work to serve the LGBTQIA+ community. Vanessa has a bright future ahead of her, and will go on to impact so many people for the better.\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter Mercado<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Walter Mercado\u00a0<\/strong>was\u00a0a TV astrologer<\/a>, who went on to achieve international fame after starring in a telenovela in the 60\u2019s, and was known for gender non-conforming, 15-pound capes and fashion, energetic readings, and overall positive energy. The Puerto Rican star has been described as asexual, stating \u201cI have sex with life.\u201d Mercado passed away in 2019, but is remembered with joy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LGBTQIA+ History Month Resources <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n