Equality Forum

Lanford Wilson – October 31 “If you … once dreamed of everlasting love, don’t give up the dream, find it again.” Lanford Wilson was a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and a pioneer of the Off-Off-Broadway and regional theater movements. Known for his experimental style and nuanced exploration of relationships—including themes of gay identity—he was among the first playwrights to transition from Off-Off-Broadway to Broadway productions. lgbthistorymonth.com

Abby Wambach – October 30 “There’s something to be said … about women standing on their own two feet, owning who they are … and being unapologetic about it.” Abby Wambach is a retired U.S. women’s soccer legend, a podcaster, and a bestselling author. She was a six-time Female Athlete of the Year, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a FIFA World Cup champion. lgbthistorymonth.com

Ocean Vuong – October 29 “Being queer saved my life … it made me curious; it made me ask, ‘Is this enough for me?’” Ocean Vuong is a Vietnamese American novelist, poet, and professor whose work explores themes of LGBTQ identity, trauma, and the immigrant experience. lgbthistorymonth.com

Cy Twombly – October 28 “Every line is the actual experience with its own unique story.” Edwin Parker “Cy” Twombly Jr. was among the most prominent artists of the 1950s. A photographer, sculptor, and painter, he is best known for his scribbling abstractions incorporating cultural, poetic, and historical references. Twombly inspired artists such as Julian Schnabel and Jean-Michel Basquiat. lgbthistorymonth.com

Arthur Tress – October 27 “Photography is my method for defining the confusing world that rushes constantly toward me.” Arthur Tress is a gay American photographer renowned for his diverse body of work, which encompasses surrealism and homoerotic fantasy. He was one of the first artists of the 1970s to diverge from documentary street photography to create staged, dreamlike images. lgbthistorymonth.com

Breanna Stewart – October 26 “Everything doesn’t happen in one day or at the snap of your finger.” Breanna Stewart is among the most accomplished professional women’s basketball stars in history. A five-time WNBA All-Star, a two-time WNBA MVP, and a two-time FIBA World Cup MVP, she has won three U.S. Olympic basketball gold medals and three FIBA World Cups. lgbthistorymonth.com

Harper Steele – October 25 “[T]here isn’t a trans person I’ve met who doesn’t have a sense of humor about themselves.” Harper Steele is a comedy writer best known for her work on “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”). After coming out as a transgender woman, she brought attention to trans-related issues in the acclaimed documentary “Will & Harper,” co-starring the comedian Will Ferrell. lgbthistorymonth.com

Chappell Roan – October 24 “I think that people just want to be happy and reflect, sing, dance and dress up, and feel free.” Chappell Roan is a Grammy Award-winning openly lesbian pop sensation. As a singer and songwriter, she tackles themes like heteronormativity, queer acceptance, feminism, and self-love. lgbthistorymonth.com

Ann Philbin – October 23 “Humans need culture—not just art but the whole network of experiences that link us to one another.” Ann Philbin is an acclaimed American museum director and AIDS activist. She led the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles for 25 years, growing it from a small local gallery into a vibrant international center for contemporary art. lgbthistorymonth.com

Ted Osius – October 22 “There are some who think diplomacy is about money and power. It’s not. It’s about relationships.” very strongly about making peace and love in the world.” Theodore George (Ted) Osius III is one of the first openly gay U.S. ambassadors and a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in international diplomacy. His distinguished career has significantly shaped U.S. relations in Asia, particularly with Vietnam. He is fluent in four languages, including Vietnamese. lgbthistorymonth.com

T. J. Osborne – October 21 “Instead of always kind of having the veil there, I think it’s time to remove that and lean into who we are.” T.J. Osborne is a Grammy-winning country-rock musician and the only openly gay artist signed to a major country music label. Known for hits such as “Stay a Little Longer” and “All Night,” he sings lead vocals in the duo Brothers Osborne. lgbthistorymonth.com

Sarah McBride – October 20 “There is no question that the political is personal.” Sarah McBride is a leading LGBTQ+ rights advocate and the first transgender member of Congress. Elected in November 2020, she serves as the U.S. representative for Delaware’s at-large congressional district. lgbthistorymonth.com

Troy Masters – October 19 “It’s a perilous time … reporting from a journalistic perspective about things that are happening in the community is so important.” Troy Davis Masters was a pioneering American LGBTQ+ journalist and publisher. He played a leading role in founding what became Gay City News—a free New York newspaper—and the Los Angeles Blade, among other publications. He spent more than 35 years passionately advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. lgbthistorymonth.com

Karl Lagerfeld – October 18 “Change is the healthiest way to survive.” Karl Lagerfeld was among the most famous fashion designers in modern history, celebrated for his transformative leadership at Fendi and Chanel, his iconic personal style, and his artful ability to blend classic couture with bold, contemporary elements. He was also an accomplished fashion photographer. lgbthistorymonth.com

Ellsworth Kelly – October 17 “I believe people have to be open to what’s happening when they’re alive.” Ellsworth Kelly was an American sculptor, printmaker, and painter. As one of the preeminent abstractionists of the 20th century, he significantly influenced the Minimalist, Color Field, and Pop Art movements. lgbthistorymonth.com

Abilly Jones-Hennin – October 16 “I am [an] activist till death do I part. Once it gets in your blood, you may step back, but you can't take it away.” ABilly Jones-Hennin was a pioneering LGBTQ+ activist and founder of the first organization for Black gays and lesbians. He helped organize the first national march on Washington for gay and lesbian rights. lgbthistorymonth.com

Ella Jenkins – October 15 “I feel very strongly about making peace and love in the world.” Ella Jenkins was an award-winning folk musician and educator. Known as the “First Lady of Children’s Music,” her joyful, African-American-inspired call-and-response songs revolutionized the genre. lgbthistorymonth.com

Sir Lady Java – October 14 “There was nothing to help us. No one cared. So I had to care, and I kept on …” Sir Lady Java was a pioneering transgender singer, dancer, comedian, and activist, best known in Los Angeles during the 1960s and ’70s. Her act was considered “female impersonation” at a time when cross-dressing was illegal. lgbthistorymonth.com

Mel Heifetz – October 13 “I have spent my entire life working with [the gay community] to achieve the same equality that everyone else enjoys.” Mel Heifetz is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based real estate developer, business owner, activist, and philanthropist best known for his unparalleled support of the city’s LGBTQ community. Over the last 70 years, he has donated millions to benefit LGBTQ institutions and initiatives nationwide, directly and through major political contributions. For over 25 years, he has supported LGBTQ rights in Uganda, Colombia, and Thailand. lgbthistorymonth.com

Lily Gladstone – October 12 “You are constantly a role model for the generation to step right behind you.” Lily Gladstone is an award-winning actor best known as the female lead in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 film, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” She is the first Indigenous American to win a Golden Globe Award for acting. lgbthistorymonth.com