Glenn Shadix: From Alabama to Hollywood and Back

Actor Glenn Shadix appeared in over 70 films and TV shows during a career that took him from Alabama to Hollywood and back again.

Yukio Mishima: Man of Words, Man of Action

Novelist Yukio Mishima committed ritual suicide on this day after failing to inspire an insurrection against the Japanese government. Forty years later, Japan still grapples with his legacy.

The Tennessee Williams Revival

Playwright Tennessee Williams continues to inspire decades after his death.

The Notorious Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Rainier Werner Fassbinder was one of Germany’s most important post-war filmmakers. We look back at the controversial life and career of the prolific cinematic bad boy.

Like Liberace

From the marvelous costumes to the silly banter to the grandiose and bombastic playing style, everything about Liberace was beloved by his fans...

Simply Divine

Divine was probably America's most beloved drag queen, and his over-the-top persona was perfect for the cult films of John Waters...

Ricky Wilson and the Rock Lobster

Ricky Wilson and the B-52's burst onto the scene in a big way with their self-titled debut album in 1979...

Inspired by Sally Ride

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space – and also the youngest American in space – inspired generations of women.

Alexis Arquette (1969 - 2016)

Alexis Arquette, transgender actress and sister of David, Patricia and Rosanna Arquette, has died at the age of 47, according to People Magazine.

A Legacy of Justice

When Matthew Shepard was killed in 1998, his murder had all the characteristics of a hate crime. But as the 21-year-old college student's loved ones sought justice for his murder, they learned that it wasn't considered a hate crime, because homosexuality wasn't covered in hate crimes legislation.

George Michael (1963–2016), pop superstar

English pop singer George Michael sold more than 100 million albums and was an inspirational icon for a generation of gay youth who came of age in the 1990s.

Gilbert Baker (1951 - 2017), rainbow flag creator

Gilbert Baker, a gay rights activist and creator of the iconic rainbow flag, died Friday, March 31, 2017, at his home in New York City, according to multiple news sources. He was 65.

The Legacy of Demme's "Philadelphia" Feels Different 20 Years Later

(by guest contributor Josh Kruger)

John Ashbery (1927–2017)

Celebrated poet won a Pulitzer Prize.

Kate Millett, feminist author of "Sexual Politics"

Activist, artist and educator whose best-selling "Sexual Politics" was a landmark of cultural criticism and a manifesto for the modern feminist movement.

Edith Windsor (1929–2017) same-sex marriage pioneer

NEW YORK (AP) — Edith Windsor, a widow who brought a landmark Supreme Court case that struck down parts of a federal anti-gay marriage law and paved a path toward legalizing same-sex nuptials nationwide, died Tuesday. She was 88.

Ed Flanagan (1950–2017), first openly gay lawmaker elected to statewide office

Courageous politician was an inspiration to others.

Bob Smith (1958 – 2018), groundbreaking gay comedian

First openly gay male comedian to star in his own HBO special…

Dick Leitsch (1935–2018), pioneering gay rights activist

Pioneering gay rights activist led 1966 “sip-in” protest at New York City bar.

Tab Hunter (1931 - 2018), 1950s teen heartthrob

Actor and singer starred in "Damn Yankees!"…

Jackie Shane (1940–2019), pioneering transgender soul singer

Jackie Shane was a pioneering transgender soul singer who became a star in Toronto, Canada in the 1960s. She came back to prominence recently when record label Numero Group released an album of her singles and live recordings. The album was nominated for a Grammy for best historical album. Starting her music career in Nashville, she left for Canada to escape Jim Crow laws, packing nightclubs in Toronto. She abruptly left show business in 1971 to come back to the states and take care of her mother.

How Veterans Grieve

Honoring their fallen comrades is a uniquely powerful experience for America's military veterans.

Deborah Batts (1947–2020), pioneering judge who was overseeing Michael Avenatti trial

Deborah Batts was the nation’s first openly LGBTQ federal judge, who was set to oversee Michael Avenatti’s Stormy Daniels-related embezzlement trial. She was nominated for a federal judgeship by President Bill Clinton in 1994, and she was sworn in later that year after a smooth confirmation hearing. Serving as the U.S. District Judge for Manhattan, Batts oversaw cases including a 2006 civil suit against an EPA administrator who was accused of misleading the public about the risk of toxic air pollution around the site of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Danny Tidwell (1984–2020), “So You Think You Can Dance” runner-up

Danny Tidwell was the runner-up on season three of “So You Think You Can Dance,” the dance competition series that airs on Fox. Tidwell trained at the Krov Academy of Ballet as a teenager and had danced with the American Ballet Theatre. His brother Travis, also a dancer, finished second on “So You Think You Can Dance” in season two.

Mart Crowley (1935–2020), “Boys in the Band” playwright

Mart Crowley wasthe groundbreaking playwright whose 1968 play The Boys in the Band was one of the first to portray the lives of gay men on stage.The play is about a group of gay and bisexual friends at a birthday party in New York City.Itwas a hit which led to a 1970 movie adaptation directed byWilliam Friedkin.Crowley had been an assistant and close friend to actress . In 2002, hewrote a sequel The MenFromthe Boys, that looked at the original characters lives 35 years later. In 2018, a revival of The Boys in the Band onBroadway featured out gay actors including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, and Matt Bomer.A new movie version of the play is due out on Netflix in 2021.

Phyllis Lyon (1924–2020), pioneering LGBTQ rights activist

Phyllis Lyon was a longtime LGBTQ rights activist who had one of California’s first same-sex weddings in 2004 when she married her partner of more than 50 years, .

Richard C. Friedman (1941–2020), doctor who showed homosexuality was biological

Richard C. Friedman was a psychiatrist whose groundbreaking 1988 book, “Male Homosexuality: A Contemporary Psychoanalytic Perspective,” showed that homosexuality was largely biological, rather than a perversion that needed to be cured.

Little Richard (1932–2020), one of the founding fathers of rock & roll

Little Richard, the flamboyant father of rock ‘n’ roll whose “Tutti Frutti” changed the world, died Saturday at the age of 87.

Aimee Stephens (1960–2020) transgender activist in current Supreme Court case

Aimee Stephens was a transgender woman whose job discrimination case went to the Supreme Court in 2020.

Larry Kramer (1935–2020), playwright and AIDS activist

Larry Kramer was an influential playwright and AIDS activist whosebest-knownplay isThe Normal Heart, which was about theearly days of the AIDScrisis.

Lady Red Couture (1977–2020), cohost of YouTube show “Hey Qween!”

Lady Red Couture was a comedian and singer who cohosted the popular YouTube show “Hey Qween!”

Chi Chi DeVayne (1985–2020), “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star

Chi Chi DeVayne (born Zavion Davenport) was a drag queen best known for starring on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Monica Roberts (1962–2020), transgender rights advocate who founded TransGriot blog

Monica Roberts was a transgender rights advocate who was the founding editor of TransGriot, a blog focusing on trans women of color and the issues that concern them.

Pat Patterson (1941–2020), WWE Hall of Famer

Pat Patterson was a wrestling star who helped built World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was a mentor to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Sophie (1986–2021), Grammy-nominated musician and producer

Sophie Xeon , known professionally as Sophie, was a Scottish Grammy-nominated musician and producer known for her electronic hyperpop music.

Ari Gold (1974–2021), trailblazing LGBTQ musician and DJ

Ari Gold was a singer, songwriter, and DJ known for songs including “Where the Music Takes You.”

Robina Asti (1921–2021), WWII veteran and transgender advocate

Robina Asti was a World War II veteran who later became an inspiration to the transgender community as she fought for her husband’s Social Security benefits.

Women Have Always Directed Movies

Women have been a part of moviemaking since the earliest days of cinema's beginnings - on both sides of the camera. From the first silent films to today's Oscar nominees, many great movies have been directed by women. Join us as we celebrate the legacies of female filmmakers who have died but live on in their great work.

Patrick O’Connell (1953–2021), developed red ribbon for HIV/AIDS awareness

Patrick O’Connell was the founding director of Visual AIDS, where he developed programs for HIV/AIDS awareness including the red ribbon.

Alix Dobkin (1940–2021), pioneering lesbian singer and songwriter

Alix Dobkin was a singer and songwriter whose 1973 album “Lavender Jane Loves Women” was a milestone for the lesbian community.

Kay Lahusen (1930–2021), LGBTQ activist and photojournalist

Kay Lahusen was an activist and photojournalist who chronicled some of the earliest U.S. protests for LGBTQ rights.

Fez Whatley (1964–2021), radio co-host of “The Ron and Fez Show”

Fez Whatley was a radio personality who co-hosted “The Ron and Fez Show” on Sirius XM along with Ron Bennington.

James Hormel (1933–2021), first openly gay U.S. ambassador

James Hormel was a philanthropist and the heir to the Hormel Food fortune who became the first openly gay ambassador representing the U.S.

Carl Bean (1944–2021), “I Was Born This Way” singer who inspired Lady Gaga

Carl Bean was a minister, AIDS activist, and singer known for his 1977 dance club hit, “I Was Born This Way.”

Steve Bronski (1960–2021), Bronski Beat co-founder

Steve Bronski was a co-founder of the British synthpop band Bronski Beat known for their hit song "Smalltown Boy."

Chris Dickerson (1939–2021), first Black Mr. America

Chris Dickerson was a bodybuilder who became the first Black man to win the Mr. America title, in 1970.

Arnie Kantrowitz (1940–2022), early LGBTQ rights activist

Arnie Kantrowitz was a pioneer of LGBTQ civil rights activism and one of the founders of GLAAD.

Urvashi Vaid (1958–2022), influential LGBTQ+ activist  

Urvashi Vaid was an influential activist for LGBTQ+ rights who was a former executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Clela Rorex (1943–2022), issued first same-sex marriage license in the U.S.

Clela Rorex became a notable advocate for LGBTQ rights when she issued first same-sex marriage license in the U.S. as a county clerk in 1975.