The world is filled with some amazing women; here are six LGBTQ women who worked through sexism and homophobia (some worked through racism as well) in order to succeed. They have and will continue to shape the word with their influence.
Ellen DeGeneres ~
Ellen DeGeneres is a comedian, actor, and TV host. Beginning her career as a stand-up comedian when she was 23, Ellen eventually made it to prime-time TV, with her self-titled show Ellen. However, after using the show to come out, it faced major backlash and was eventually canceled in 1998. After the show was canceled, it became increasingly difficult for Ellen to find work, as no one wanted to be attached to her controversy. However, in 2003 she began to recover, starring as Dory in Finding Nemo, and becoming the host of her own talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Since then, Ellen has become a spokesperson for LGBTQ+ rights, using her position to fight against the inequality and hate members of the LGBTQ+ community face every day. Even though Ellen has recently come under fire in the media, there is no denying that she was a pioneer in LGBTQ+ media, daring to risk it all for a better future.
https://www.biography.com/media-figure/ellen-degeneres
Sally Ride ~
Sally Ride was the first American woman in space (she was a member of the Challenger crew). A graduate of Stanford University’s PhD Physics program, she joined NASA’s astronaut program. After working for NASA, Ride became the director of the California Space Institute, as well as becoming a Professor of physics there. Ride then created her own company called Sally Ride Science which sought to educate and create products to inspire young girls and women wishing to pursue science, and she served as President and CEO of the company. Ride died in 2012 after a 17 month battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Ride kept her personal life very private, only coming out posthumously, referencing her partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, of 27 years in her obituary; then allowing her sister to speak on her behalf. Sally Ride was a pioneer in women’s rights in the science world, becoming the first American woman in space, as well as becoming a professor of physics and starting a business. Sally Ride improved the world of science greatly, asserting her position as a woman in science and encouraging other women to take their place with her. Sally Ride helped to break the gender barrier in science, paving the way for the other passionate women who followed her.
https://www.biography.com/astronaut/sally-ride
https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/why-sally-ride-waited-until-her-death-tell-world-she-908942
Audre Lorde ~
Audre Lorde was a poet and writer, publishing many amazing works over her lifetime. She published her first work in 1968, and in 1970 published a work referencing her sexuality. In her work she discussed many issues that were important to her; issues that affected her as a woman of colour and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She remained an activist in the fight against racism, sexism, and homophobia until her death in 1992, after a decade-long battle with cancer. Lorde lived during a time where it was almost impossible to be successful as not only a woman but a Black woman. She worked incredibly hard to get to where she did and then used her position to combat the politics and societal restrictions that made it increasingly difficult for women and people of colour to become successful. Not only is she a master of poetry, she is a pioneer in women’s rights, speaking out and changing the world for women.
https://www.biography.com/writer/audre-lorde
Marlene Dietrich ~
Marlene Dietrich was a German actress and was known as one of the greatest actresses of her time. Often we hear about celebrities like David Bowie, Prince, and Harry Styles ripping down the gender barrier by dressing in what would be considered “feminine” clothing; however, Dietrich was challenging gender roles as early as 1920. She often wore suits and pants, a far cry from what was considered acceptable attire for women in western culture. During WWII, Dietrich was shunned by her native country Germany for choosing to speak against Hitler and his actions. Dietrich refused to perform in Germany, so her movies were banned and she was often the target of hateful speech by Hitler’s regime. Despite this, Dietrich gave many performances to American troops and spoke out strongly against the actions of the Nazi’s in Germany, awarding her a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dietrich changed women’s fashion forever and proved that women in entertainment could be smart, successful, and intelligent all on their own.
https://www.biography.com/actor/marlene-dietrich
Andrea Jenkins ~
Andrea Jenkins is a policy aide, writer, and performance artist. She is also the first openly transgender woman to be elected to public office in the United States (serving on the Minneapolis City Council since 2018). She graduated from the University of Minnesota and then returned to curate the “Transgender Oral History Project.” At 30 years old she began her transition, completing two more degrees at the same time. She worked as a vocational counselor, a policy aide on the Minneapolis City Council, then as a curator at the University of Minnesota. While she was running for city council, Jenkins founded the Trans United Fund, which aims to support other transgender candidates. Jenkins became one of three Black council members to win their race in 2017. She was elected Vice President, also creating a Racial Equity Community Advisory Committee, and serving on the Race Equity Subcommittee. While Jenkins has come to fame more recently, there is no doubt she will help the world reach a new level of acceptance, and lead America to equality for all, while inspiring many young people all across the world.
https://andreajenkinsforward8.org/bio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Jenkins
Gladys Bentley ~
Gladys Bentley was a jazz and blues performer in 1920s America. She was unapologetically herself, challenging gender roles by wearing the clothes that she wanted to, often a suit and top hat. Gladys was probably one of the first people to challenge gender in this way. She was a key contributor to the Harlem Renaissance, though she is often left out of the telling due to the fact she didn’t appear much in the mainstream clubs. Her performances were often more “risque” than those of other performers, meaning her name isn’t as popular as others of the time like Louis Armstrong, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston. The Harlem Renaissance set the stage for the later Civil Rights movements, allowing Black citizens of America to finally have a say in their own narrative. Gladys Bentley was a pioneer of her time, not only living her life as an out and proud Black lesbian but fighting against the establishment through music.