Since our first rehearsal, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus has stood as a symbol of activism and unity for the LGBT community. With a mission to integrate more music into San Francisco's Gay Freedom Day parade, Jon Reed Sims founded the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band in 1978, which later evolved into what we know today as the San Francisco Gay Man’s Chorus. 

We have continued to fight for our recognition as LGBTQ+ people on the groundwork laid by those before us.  

Celebrating LGBT activists and community members isn’t something we only do during Pride Month. Like the brave people we’ll talk about in this article today, we celebrate and fight for the LGBT community all year round. 

Our community has a rich history, and we’re proud to help LGBT people and allies alike study it in more detail.

Each LGBT activist is richly different – just like the community they represent. LGBTQ leaders stretch across time, location, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Not all famous LGBTQ+ people set out to be activists, but many of them do speak out against injustice and effect change.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of LGBT activists. Activism can show up in the smallest, most everyday situations. Standing up for a coworker who’s being harassed, voting for pro-LGBTQ+ politicians and bills, and supporting art made by LGBT people are all forms of activism.

Today, we’ll be learning about the lives and work of some of the most influential LGBT activists across history. 

1. Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk (May 22, 1930 - November 27, 1978) was the first openly gay politician to be elected into public office in California. Milk is remembered for his unapologetically out-and-proud nature and the optimism he helped spread to the gay community at a time when the nation at large was still unwelcoming or downright hostile. 

He demanded improvements for the local community and got them access to essential resources. Milk was especially excited about the formation of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Sadly, though, he never got to hear us perform. 

Harvey Milk was assassinated by Dan White, one of his most vocal critics and a former San Francisco city supervisor, on November 27, 1978. Thousands of people gathered in the Castro on the night of Milk’s assassination for an emotional candlelight vigil. 

The first performance of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus was at this vigil, in memory of Harvey Milk.

Now, we celebrate his life and achievements on Harvey Milk Day. Milk was one of the LGBT activists who were nearest and dearest to our hearts, and his election continues to be a proud milestone in our community’s history.

2. Alok Vaid Menon

Alok Vaid Menon is a gender-nonconforming, transfeminine advocate for bodily diversity, gender neutrality, and self-determination. They are an internationally-acclaimed author, poet, comedian, speaker, fashion designer, and social media personality, whose style and identity is in constant flux. 

ALOK uses mixed-media art, fashion, and performance to explore topics like trauma, the idea of belonging without conforming, the dynamics of transmisogyny, and the human condition. They have three published books, Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the Gender Binary (2020), and Your Wound, My Garden (2021), and have made multiple TV appearances in shows such as Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, PRIDE: To Be Seen – A Soul of A Nation, Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, Random Acts of Flyness, and The Trans List.

Amassing over 1 million Instagram followers and having their work shown in over 40 countries, ALOK is making a large impact, giving representation and a voice to important issues for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

3. Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha "Pay it No Mind" Johnson (August 24, 1945 - July 6, 1992) is one of the most beloved LGBT activists for transgender rights. In 1969, Johnson was one of the many people who battled for their rights at the Stonewall Inn, and some sources credit her with starting the riot. 

Acutely aware of the inequalities facing transgender people and young people of color, Johnson paired up with her best friend Sylvia Rivera to open Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) to address the urgent needs of house-less transgender and queer youth of color. 

Following her diagnosis of AIDS in 1990, Johnson continued to be one of the most powerful LGBT activists. She spread awareness and advocated for better care for people with AIDS and HIV. 

In 1992, Johnson's body was found in the Hudson River. 

Despite her close friends and family believing she was a victim of a hate crime, the NYPD declared her death a suicide. Her case was reopened in 2012, but her death remains unsolved.

4. Sylvia Rivera

Sylvia Rivera (July 2, 1951 – February 19, 2002) was a Puerto Rican, Venezuelan-American transgender activist – one of many highly influential LGBT activists of color. Rivera was a trailblazer, most famous for her role in the Stonewall Riots of 1969. 

Having been orphaned at the age of ten, Rivera lived and worked on the streets of New York City as a sex worker. Rivera eventually found community with a group of drag queens and transgender women, which became a driving force in her relentless fight for transgender rights. 

As a member of the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), Rivera fought to incorporate transgender people's rights into the first gay rights legislation in New York City, since the bill excluded the rights of transgender people. Shortly after, Rivera and Marsha P Johnson established Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) to offer shelter, food, and clothing to homeless transgender youth.

Rivera focused her life on LGBT activism that prioritized intersectionality and inclusivity. She wanted transgender people of color to be welcomed, appreciated, and accepted within the community, especially those who were homeless, incarcerated, and living in poverty. 

As a part of her impact, Rivera help make sure the "T" was added to “LGBT.” Today, there are more letters added, and the LGBTQ meaning is even more inclusive. She helped pave the way for this.

After a battle with cancer, Rivera passed away at 50 years old in February 2002.

5. Billie Jean King

Professional tennis player, Billie Jean King, was born November 22, 1943 in Long Beach, California. King began playing basketball and softball as a young girl, but once she was introduced to tennis, she knew that was the sport for her. King trained strenuously and began winning youth tournaments across California. At 16 years old, King began to play tennis professionally. A few years later, King got her first major win at Wimbledon. 

As a profoundly influential athlete, King spent much of her career unabashedly addressing the gender pay gap facing women as women were awarded far less money than men following a championship win. 

As a means of bringing attention to the seriousness of payment imbalance, King left tennis and declared that until men and women were paid equally, she would not return. In 1973, the US Open was the first major tournament to end gender pay disparities. 

King publicly came out as a lesbian in 1981. 

As a result, all of her endorsement deals were terminated. However, she persevered and became one of the most powerful LGBT activists in the sports world.

King won 39 Grand Slam titles throughout her career, retiring in 1983. In her retirement, she continues to be an LGBTQ leader, speaking out just as passionately for the need for equality, inclusion, and diversity within sports and the LGBT community. 

6. Frank Kameny

Frank Kameny (May 21, 1925 - October 11, 2011), a world-renowned astronomer and WWII veteran, was one of the dedicated LGBT activists advocating for our right to working without fear of discrimination. 

After earning his Ph.D. at Harvard University, the Army Map Service hired him as an astronomer. However, within a few months, an executive order was implemented prohibiting LGBTQ+ people from working in federal agencies. Kameny's security clearance was revoked, and he lost his dream job. 

But he was ready to fight back.

After he was terminated, Kameny filed a lawsuit against the government. In 1961, he brought the first gay rights case to the U.S. Supreme Court. When his appeal was denied, he began a lifelong battle for equality. 

Kameny became a chief advocate of gay rights in Washington DC, organizing protests and demonstrations at the White House, the Pentagon, and the Civil Service Commission. In 1975, the Civil Service Commission lifted its ban on LGBT employees. Fifty years later, Kameny finally won his case when the U.S. government formally apologized for how it treated LGBT employees. 

In 2011, at the age of 86, Kameny passed away. 

He will always be remembered as one of the LGBTQ+ leaders who fought for our legal rights, as well as our right to be accepted.

7. Rachel Levine 

Rachel Levine (born October 28, 1957) is the first ever openly transgender person to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and a powerful leader among medical LGBT activists. After a lifetime of dedication to caring for people through medicine, Dr. Levine started exploring her gender identity, and transitioned in her 40s. 

Afterwards, she was appointed to the Physician General and later Secretary of Health in Pennsylvania, where she implemented measures that saved thousands of lives from opioid overdoses. She was also one of the LGBTQ+ leaders who have worked to provide great access to healthcare for LGBT youth.

In 2021, she was nominated for the position of Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by Joe Biden. She was then approved by the U.S. Senate, making her the highest-ranking openly transgender official in U.S. history. 

8. RuPaul Andre Charles

RuPaul (born November 17, 1960) is one of the most famous LGBTQ+ people in the world, and one of the most powerful LGBT activists, as well. From a very young age, he loved to put on shows and perform for his mother. 

In his adult life, he became a regular performer in The New Yorks LGBT nightclub scene. As he gained international fame, he became the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign. It with MAC Cosmetics in 1994. 

Later, he launched the reality competition show RuPaul’s Drag Race and received 11 Emmy awards, breaking an Emmy record for both black people and LGBT people. The success of RuPaul’s Drag Race has sparked conversations all over the world about inclusion, acceptance, and gender expression. 

9. Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox (born May 29, 1972) is an actress and another among proud transgender LGBT activists. Cox has always loved performing. And in 2014, she became the first trans person to be nominated for an Emmy for her role in Orange Is The New Black. 

She’s used her successful acting career to give a voice to the LGBTQ+ community. 

As of 2021, Cox has performed in more than 40 acting roles, produced 8 films, and won 9 awards for her work. She remains one of the many passionate LGBT leaders who advocate for the protection of transgender women of color.

10. Dr. Timothy Seelig

Conductor, singer, teacher, and motivational speaker, Timothy Seelig (born January 10, 1951) has been recognized for his talents worldwide. 

His first experience with a gay choir was as a conductor with the Turtle Creek Chorale in 1987, shortly after coming out and losing close ties with family and friends. During that time, Seelig saw the pervasive, painful impact of the AIDS epidemic and began supporting his local community. Today, Seelig continues to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic through his musical and speaking engagements. 

In 2011, Seelig joined the SFGMC as Artistic Director, bringing incredible passion and creativity to our chorus. On the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Harvey Milk, and SFGMC's 35th anniversary, Seelig and Andrew Lippa put together an hour-long concert celebrating Milk’s life and achievements.

This was followed by the Lavender Pen Tour, which toured the Deep South after the government proposed several anti-LGBTQ laws. Seelig is one of the LGBTQ leaders who brought the community together and included allies in conversations that will continue to inspire future generations. 

After nearly 11 proud years, Seelig retired from his position with SFGMC, but not before securing his place among history’s most powerful, passionate LGBT activists. He continues to be a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and frequents local events that are bringing awareness to multiple LGBTQ+ issues.

Supporting and Uplifting the LGBTQ+ Community Today and Tomorrow

As LGBT people, we have lived through persecution, discrimination, and police brutality throughout history. Through all this, we have continued to share our message and values of love and acceptance, always leaning on our community's strength.

Our list here is by no means an exhaustive list of the individuals who have deeply impacted the LBGTQ+ community for the better. If there’s someone who inspires you that you feel needs to be included, please let us know. We’d be happy to elevate their voice and will continue to update this list when we can.

For many members of the community, activism runs in our blood. 

And we have demonstrated what can be accomplished when we stand together. 

Inspired by the work of others in the community, SFGMC was founded as - and still remains - a force for good in our communities.

Support San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus 

We must follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and continue to make an impact wherever we can. Our youth are looking toward us for leadership! 

You can help SFGMC on our mission of musical activism making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. So take action to help end intolerance and bigotry today with a donation.

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