Mario Mieli

1952–1983

Italian gay rights activist and irreplaceable provocateur whose exuberant, flamboyant and controversial way of life personified his hugely influential theory of queerness and vision of a new sexual utopianism.

Pauli Murray

1910-1985

American civil rights activist, advocate, legal scholar and theorist, author and – later in life – an Episcopal priest. Murray’s work influenced the civil rights movement and expanded legal protection for gender equality.

Marlon Riggs

1954-1994

Award-winning film maker whose examinations of Black gay life boldly confronted racism and sexual repression, most notably with 1989’s Tongues Untied.

Charley Parkhurst

1812-1879

The only known stagecoach driver in California history identified as female at birth, famed and respected for his expertise, resourcefulness, bravery, daring, fearlessness and attention to duty.

Oliver Sacks

1933-2015

Neurologist, naturalist, historian of science and author who wrote of his experiences with some of his patients to inform and inspire others.

Jon Reed Sims

1947-1984

Founder of the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps (now San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band), the first openly LGBT musical group ever formed in United States history, and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the country’s first openly gay American choral group.

Edith Windsor

1929-2017

Celebrated champion for human rights whose courageous lawsuit for marriage equality transformed public perception and secured freedoms, privileges and benefits for married same-sex couples.

Sophie Xeon

1860–1935

Pioneering social reformer, activist for women’s rights and world peace, public philosopher, author, first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize