QUEER history month celebrates our icons

2024 QUEER ICONS
1.    Ron Ansin
2.    Laphonza Butler
3.    Maki Carrousel
4.    Desmond Child
5.    Margaret Chung
6.    Christian Cooper
7.    River Gallo
8.    Robert Garcia
9.    Rob Halford
10.    Jeanne Hoff
11.    Susan Love
12.    George Michael
13.    Kevin Naff
14.    Fabian Nelson
15.    Yannick Nézet-Séguin
16.    Robyn Ochs
17.    Pat Parker
18.    Mark Pocan
19.    Herb Ritts
20.    Beth Robinson
21.    Richard Schneider
22.    Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber
23.    Jackie Shane
24.    Ari Shapiro
25.    Sam Smith
26.    William Dorsey Swann
27.    Peter Tatchell
28.    Diana Taurasi
29.    Colton Underwood
30.    Luther Vandross
31.    Joel Wachs

LGBTQIA History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender history, as well as the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.
In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a high school teacher from Missouri, recognized the need for a month dedicated to celebrating and educating others about gay and lesbian history. He brought together fellow educators and community leaders to establish such an observance.
They chose October for its alignment with the school calendar and the presence of significant events like National Coming Out Day (October 11).
 The initiative, originally called Gay and Lesbian History Month, received endorsements from national organizations such as:
•    GLAAD
•    Human Rights Campaign
•    National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
•    And the National Education Association
In 2006, Equality Forum took over the responsibility of curating content, promoting, and providing resources for what is now called LGBT History Month.
Celebrating Our Heritage
The LGBT community is unique in that its history is rarely taught at home, in public schools, or in religious settings. LGBT History Month serves as an opportunity to highlight role models, foster a sense of community, and underscore the significant national and global contributions of LGBTQIA individuals.

GILBERT SALAZAR – QUEER ICON
This year, 2024, Queer Onda El Paso proudly interviews local gay icon, Gilbert Salazar as a most notable champion for our Queer Community.
    Gilbert became known to us at the podcast as the sassy, stern-but-loving, big sister that greeted us at the front door of the Old Plantation, El Paso’s largest and most well-known Queer Nightclub. Listen to our show where you will hear Gilbert spill the tea, tell some stories, and talk about the importance of coming out Queer, knowing your history, and VOTING in the face of political wrangling and shenanigans that continue to threaten the freedoms of our very ability to love and exist.
Gilbert continues to shine as a large technicolored rainbow beacon of light throughout El Paso’s Queer History!
QUEER ONDA celebrates La Grande Dame himself…Gilbert Salazar!

About Equality Forum
Equality Forum is the organization that coordinates LGBT History Month. It also oversees the application and installation of government-approved LGBT historic markers, produces documentary films, and spearheads other impactful initiatives. The organization works in partnership with educational institutions, professional associations, research centers, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.equalityforum.com.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S QUEER ICONS VISIT THE LINK BELOW:
https://lgbthistorymonth.com/sites/default/files/LGBT_HistoryMonthBios-2024-REV.pdf

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