February is Black History Month! Here are just a few Black Queer People who dedicated their lives to making the world a better place. Black history month is about remembering all the types of Black people who helped further the progress of justice. Thank you to all of those who paved the way.
Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)
A lot of times noted as the man that Homophobia Erased from History. His impact not illustrated seen in a lot of history books, Bayard Rustin became most recognized for his work for the civil rights movement. Bayard Rustin was the lead organizer of the March on Washington, and ultimately was one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s right hand men. From Marching on Washington, to his work in the Black Power movement, to being imprisoned for being in a relationship with a man and his advocation of the advancement for LGBTQ people, Bayard Rustin was a force to be reckoned with. Although he put so much of his time and effort into making the world a better place, his presence has been erased in some of the light of the civil rights movement because at the time people thought him being gay would hinder the advancement of black people.
Angela Davis (Born in 1944)
Angela Davis is a loved political activist, author, scholar, and professor. Davis contributed a lot to the Black Panther Party and worked hard for the advancement in the Civil Rights Movement. Davis was also very involved in Prisoners rights, and feminist theory (and where Women of color fit into mainstream white feminism). She also fought hard for the advancement of LGBTQ rights. Overall Angela Davis is a queer women of color whose list of activism efforts goes on and on. Angela Davis did and continues to spread her efforts to all types of oppression and injustices.
Marsha P. Johnson (1944-1992)
Marsha P. Johnson was a Black Trans Woman whose efforts for the queer community and overall essence of love and self acceptance in the face of ridicule touched the hearts of many. Marsha P. Johnson was a pivotal part of the Stonewall Riots, being at the epicenter of it all, (which isn’t always illustrated). She was noted as the person who “really started it all”. The stonewall riots really sparked queer and especially trans activism, but also essentially birthed what we now know as the Pride Parades. Another reason to remember to not erase the “T” in LGBTQ rights.
