Equality Forum has announced the 31 icons for LGBT History Month 2012 in October.
The individuals selected are: Roberta Achtenberg (government), author Gloria Anzaldua, writer Ann Bannon, songwriter Katherine Lee Bates ("America the Beautiful"), attorney Mary Bonauto, athlete Glenn Burke, artist Paul Cadmus, novelist Truman Capote and actor Chris Colfer (from TV's Glee).
The list continues with comedian Kate Clinton, educator Ramon Cortines, actor Marlene Dietrich, actor/director Jodie Foster, designer Jean Paul Gaultier, activist Henry Gerber, actor Billy Haines, activist Mary Kay Henry, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, transgender pioneer Christine Jorgensen, playwriter/director Arthur Laurents and news anchor Don Lemon.
Rounding out the list of icons are poet Federico Garcia Lorca, Muslim reformist Irshad Manji, activist Katherine Miller, singer Holly Near, entertainer RuPaul, Holocaust hero Pierre Seel, composer Billy Strayhorn, philanthropist Jon Stryker, Gay Games founder Tom Waddell and pioneer Rev. Robert Wood.
Each day in October (Gay History Month), an icon will be featured with a video, biography, bibliography, downloadable images and other educational resources. These resources will be available at www.lgbtHistoryMonth.com .
Icons are chosen for their accomplishments in their field of endeavor, their status as a national hero or their significant contributions to LGBT equality.
