Delve into the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ history and explore the lives and contributions of these 10 important figures. From activists to artists, these individuals have played pivotal roles in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, visibility, and acceptance.

Continue swiping to celebrate their courage and legacies.

Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender woman of color, fearlessly fought for LGBTQ+ rights during the 1969 Stonewall uprising. She co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) to support homeless transgender youth.

Sylvia Rivera, a transgender activist, co-founded the Gay Liberation Front and tirelessly advocated for transgender rights. Through personal experience, she understood the unique challenges faced by the transgender community within the broader LGBTQ+ movement and brought them to the forefront alongside her friend, Marsha P. Johnson.

Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, used his charismatic leadership as a San Francisco city supervisor to champion LGBTQ+ rights until his tragic assassination by a former coworker in 1978.

&*Audre Lorde&*, a Black lesbian poet and feminist, eloquently explored the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality. She empowered many marginalized communities through her powerful writings.

Magnus Hirschfeld, a German physician, challenged societal prejudices by founding the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee — a pioneering LGBTQ+ rights organization that played a vital role in decriminalizing homosexuality in Germany.

Bayard Rustin, an openly gay African American, displayed strategic brilliance as a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Rustin had an indelible impact on both the racial and LGBTQ+ equality movements.

Marlene Dietrich, the legendary German-American actress, defied gender norms and embraced her bisexuality. On her way to becoming an icon for LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, she secured many fans through her androgynous style and unwavering authenticity.

Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician, and codebreaker, faced persecution due to his homosexuality. He. happened to leave an enduring scientific legacy with his instrumental role in breaking the German Enigma code during World War II.

Barbara Gittings, a prominent lesbian activist, spearheaded the American gay rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s. She advocated for LGBTQ+ representation in libraries and she co-organized the first LGBTQ+ demonstration at the White House.

Laverne Cox, a transgender actress and advocate, broke barriers with her groundbreaking role in "Orange Is the New Black," using her platform to raise awareness about transgender rights and promote empathy and understanding.

Photography: Netflix