Black History Month is a time to honor Black leaders, culture, and achievements — and that includes Black LGBTQ+ trailblazers whose contributions have shaped civil rights, art, literature, and community organizing. From activists and organizers to writers, performers, and policy advocates, Black LGBTQ+ people have long been at the forefront of movements for justice, even when their stories were overlooked or minimized. Making space for these histories strengthens community pride and helps ensure more accurate, inclusive narratives.
On this site we’ve previously celebrated a long line of trailblazers in the Black queer community, from James Baldwin to Marsha P. Johnson, Audra Lorde, Bayard Rustin and Stormé DeLarverie (read more about them here).
But there is no shortage of modern trailblazers including:
- Janelle Monae
- Lil Nas X
- Honey Dijon
- Cynthia Erivo
- Ncuti Gatwa
They are boldly representing the community globally with huge social media followings.
Find more info on these and other pioneers here.