Learn about the importance of LGBT History Month with MY HERO's curated multi-media showcase of LGBT activism.
For LGBTQ+ History Month, we shine a light on LGBTQ+ activist heroes who have advanced LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance.
For more LGBTQ+ heroes who have shaped culture, check out our page celebrating LGBT Pride Month.
Teachers: Visit the free MY HERO Lesson Plan for LGBT History Month. Includes multimedia content, discussion guide and learning outcomes.
MY HERO Film Festival Finalists
Mirror, Mirror
By: Grayson Bellingham - The Animation School
Jackie is startled to find a boy in her mirror instead of her reflection.
Just A Friend [Trailer]
By: Courtney Deelen
Sometimes the hardest part of coming out is not knowing how your loved ones will react.
Watch these inspiring short films about LGBTQ+ acceptance.
I Have Four Parents
Daniel Roy
This video is a magical rendition of the story of my very unique four-parent family. Everything I talk about in the video is true, and these are the answers to the questions I most commonly get asked.
The Toothmans
Hansen Bursic
Deb and Jim Toothman and their transgender daughter Cooper Toothman, talk about their struggles with acceptance both within their family and in the community.
The Mayor of Castro Street: The Triumphs and Tragedies of Harvey Milk
Angela Kim
As a gay rights pioneer, Harvey Milk made history being the first openly gay elected official in California and one of the first in the country.
Love Has No Labels
Producer: Prod. The Ad Council / Dir. R/GA
The Love Has No Labels campaign challenges us to open our eyes to our bias and prejudice and work to stop it in ourselves, others and institutions.
Austin Police Department & LGPOA: It Gets Better
Producer: Steven McCormick/Shawn Northcutt
The Lesbian & Gay Peace Officers Association sends a message to LGBTQ youth that it does get better.
Interview with Georgia Bridgers (LGBTQ YouTuber)
Kitty Richardson
An interview with Georgia Bridgers, a YouTuber, on how she uses her channel to promote LGBT acceptance.
TRANSPARENCY: Becoming Oliver
Tessa Grace Morell
Experimental short film made to visually accompany the original poem "Becoming Oliver" written by Oliver Marino.
History of the LGBTQ movement and early activists.
This film, The Top 10 Important LGBTQ Movements in US History, looks at the most important LGBTQ milestones in US History. These moments include the Stonewall Riots, the first Pride parade, the publishing of The Transsexual Phenomenon, the passing of the Matthew Shepard Act, and more. Although the introduction of bills and laws is definitely monumental, the filmmakers have chosen to exclude events like the introduction of the Equality Act and instead focus on the legislation once they have been passed.
Top 10 Important LGBTQ Movements In US History
Produced by:Jaimie Roussos
In honor of Pride month, this film looks at at the most important LGBTQ milestones in US History.
About LGBTQ+ History Month
Rodney Wilson, a high school teacher from Missouri, created LGBT History Month in 1994. He chose October because it included National Coming Out Day (October 11) and the anniversary of the first march on Washington by LGBTQ+ people on October 14, 1979.
Art from the Gallery that represents leaders and the spirit of the original Gay rights movement in the United States
Harry Hay (1912 - 2002) from AmericansWhoTelltheTruth.org
Hay has been described as "the father of gay liberation"
By: Robert Shetterly
James Baldwin painted by Robert Shetterly,
Author, activist and gay spokesperson for the African-American community
By: Robert Shetterly
Civil Rights activist and writer James Baldwin portrayed as an American Who Tells the Truth by Robert Shetterly
Harvey Milk by Marilyn Huerta, he was first openly gay elected official in California who advocated for Gay rights
By: Marilyn Huerta
Harvey Milk was an American politician and first openly gay elected official in California who advocatedfor gay rights
Gay Activists protesting are honored and loved in this artwork
By: EB
These four stories celebrate heroes who were LGBTQ trailblazers in their respective fields.
Jazz Jennings
By: Sophie White
Jazz Jennings, a transgender woman and a television personality, is the youngest person to have become a transgender figure.
Ellen DeGeneres
By: Lilly Sicat
Ellen DeGeneres is a comedian and talk show host whose character on "Ellen" was the first openly gay lead.
Karl Heinrich Ulrichs
By: Maddy from San Diego
Karl Heinrich Ulrichs
was the first known activist for gay rights.
Harvey Milk
By: Tammy Chen from San Diego
Milk was the first openly gay politician and worked to gain equal rights for the LGBT community.
In 1978, Harvey Milk was one of the first gay public officials in San Fransisco. His dream was for a better tomorrow filled with hope for equality and a world without hate. It is recommended students read the essay and research Harvey Milk. Discuss how he was influential as an early LGBT activist. Do you know anyone in your community who is a LGBT activist? Consider sharing that story with MY HERO.
The Mayor of Castro Street: The Triumphs and Tragedies of Harvey Milk
Angela Kim
The Following Film The Mayor of Castro Street: The Triumphs and Tragedies of Harvey Milk Is Recommended for High School Students (10 min. run time)
Marsha P. Johnson was an American gay liberation activist who was a prominent figure in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. After learning about Marcha P. Johnson, research the Stonewall Uprising. Who were others involved? Share their story with MY HERO.
Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson
By: Robin Venter
Marsha P. Johnson was an American gay liberation activist/advocate for gay rights. Johnson was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of 1969
Danica Roem is the first transgender elected official in the state of Virginia.
Felix Gonzalez-Torres
By: Robin Venter
Felix Gonzalez-Torres was a Cuban American visual artist whose work reflected the LGBT community and the AIDS epidemic. (Story with Text and Audio)
Frank Mugisha
By: H. Doerflein from Madison
Ugandan LGBT advocate who has won the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.
Laverne Cox
By: Michelle from San Diego
"Cox doesn't want to be seen as an icon or a hero, she just wants to prove that everyone is human and even if they may be different that just makes them special."
James Baldwin
By: Eric from Elmhurst
James Baldwin was a famed African American novelist and essayist whose writings dealt with homosexual issues before the gay liberation movement.
Ingrid Nilsen
By: Mia Islas
Naya Rivera: Performer, Mother, Daughter, Friend, and Inspiration
By: Cara Jonas Delos Reyes
Naya Rivera was an actress who portrayed Santana Lopez on the TV show Glee and was a pioneer in Afro-Latinx and gay Latinx representation.
Freddie Mercury
By: Camellia from San Diego
Freddie Mercury was the memorable lead singer of the band Queen.
Oscar Wilde
By: MY HERO Staff
Oscar Wilde was a famous 19th century playwright, epigrammatist, poet, dandy and all around wit.
Lady Gaga (aka Stefani Joanne Germanotta)
By: Chase Cooper
Chase from San Diego writes about his hero Lady Gaga because of her humility: "She tells us that we cannot be self-centered in order to be truly successful.
Stories from the Christian Science Monitor
Nemo, Eurovision’s first nonbinary winner, gets a hero’s welcome in Switzerland
By: Kirsten Grieshaber
May 13, 2024 - Eurovision has long been embraced as a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s competition struck a particular victory for acceptance, crowning the contest’s first nonbinary winner. [CSM Story]
Boxer Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold after facing gender misconceptions
By: Greg Beacham
August 9, 2024 - Imane Khelif was cheered to victory by crowds chanting her name in Paris. Her gold medal is Algeria’s first in women’s boxing. [CSM Story]
With after-school center, trans activist Sumi Das seeks kinder future
By: Anmol Arora
Feb. 14, 2023 - In eastern India, an after-school center run by trans women is helping kids reconnect with learning. [CSM Story]
Why Nayyab Ali puts her life on the line to protect trans Pakistanis
By: Hasan Ali
Jan. 23, 2023 - Nayyab Ali is dedicated to providing safe harbor for Pakistan’s transgender community. [CSM Story]
'I felt seen': First trans actress nominated for Emmy
By: Jocelyn Noveck
Jul. 14, 2025 - Critics say Mj Rodriguez has raised the bar for trans representation in media, while LGBTQ rights activists say her historic Emmy nomination is “long overdue.” [CSM Story]
GLAAD was formed in 1985 in response to the New York Post's grossly defamatory and sensationalized HIV and AIDS coverage by a small group of journalists and writers. Today GLAAD's mission is to rewrite the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.
