From activists to artists, Black LGBTQ+ people have shaped history in extraordinary ways, and yet their stories are often sidelined in history books because of racism, homophobia, and transphobia. We’re here to fix that. Here are just a few Black queer icons you should learn more about this Black History Month.
Josephine Baker
Before Beyoncé—there was Josephine Baker. A vaudeville performer turned global sensation, she broke barriers as the first Black woman to star in a major film (Siren of the Tropics). Known for her risqué performances and dazzling costumes, she became the face of the Harlem Renaissance and an international superstar.
When WWII broke out, Josephine used her star power to fight Nazis—literally. Performing for officers, she eavesdropped on enemy conversations and smuggled secrets in invisible ink on sheet music. A diva and a resistance fighter? Talk about multitasking.
Even after helping save the world, America still didn’t see her as an equal. So Josephine joined the Civil Rights Movement—becoming one of the few women to speak at the 1963 March on Washington. 'I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens… but I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee. And that made me mad,” she said in her speech.
While never fully 'out,' Josephine had high-profile affairs with women, with whispers that Frida Kahlo was one of them. She used her platform to fight for human rights, never backing down from a challenge. In 1975, she became the first American woman to receive a French military funeral for her heroism in WWII. Josephine Baker didn’t just make history—she rewrote it.
Phill Wilson
Phill Wilson was diagnosed with HIV in 1980, and he turned personal tragedy into a lifelong mission to fight for those living with HIV/AIDS, especially in communities of color. After losing his partner, Chris Brownlie, to AIDS in 1990, Phill channeled his grief into action, becoming a national leader in the fight against the epidemic.
Phill didn’t just talk the talk—he walked the walk. As Director of Public Policy for AIDS Project Los Angeles, he helped draft legislation to increase funding for HIV research, education, and support services. He also served as LA’s AIDS Coordinator, overseeing programs that educated 65,000 city employees and provided housing and resources for those in need.
In 1999, Phill founded the Black AIDS Institute, the first Black-led organization dedicated to ending the HIV epidemic in Black communities. Why? Because he saw a gaping hole in outreach and education. “AIDS isn’t just a ‘gay disease,’” he said. “It’s a Black community issue.” His work has since become a cornerstone of HIV advocacy, proving that representation matters.
Phill’s advocacy didn’t stop at policy—he took his message to the masses. From appearing on Oprah and Larry King Live to speaking at the 1993 March on Washington, he’s been a tireless educator and storyteller. His heartfelt essay about losing his partner, Chris, in the anthology Gay Widowers remains a powerful reminder of the human cost of the epidemic.
Phill Wilson’s journey is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of community. Living with HIV for over 40 years, he’s shown us that even in the face of adversity, one person can spark monumental change. His story reminds us to keep fighting, keep educating, and keep caring—because the work isn’t done yet.
Stormé DeLarverie
Stormé DeLarverie wasn’t just a performer—she was a force of nature. From dazzling audiences on stage to patrolling the streets of Greenwich Village, she spent her life breaking barriers and protecting her community.
From 1955 to 1969, Stormé lit up the stage as the MC and only drag king of the Jewel Box Revue—the first racially integrated drag show in North America.
With her magnetic charm and bold performances, she shattered stereotypes and paved the way for drag as we know it today.
But Stormé didn’t just perform—she protected. As the self-proclaimed 'guardian of lesbians in the Village,' she patrolled the streets with a concealed rifle, keeping her community safe from harm. She also worked as a bouncer at lesbian bars, keeping spaces safe and welcoming, while also stepping up as a leader in the Stonewall Veterans Association, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. Even in her 80s, she still patrolled the streets, ensuring her community felt secure. Now that’s what we call a legend.
Miss Major Griffin-Tracey
Born in the 1940s, Miss Major always knew she was a woman, even if the world didn’t agree. After she was expelled from college for wearing dresses, she moved to NYC in 1962, where she found community but also faced violence and police raids. Then came the Stonewall Rebellion. On June 27, 1969, Miss Major was there, fighting back against oppression and helping spark the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Miss Major’s activism was born from survival. She was incarcerated in men’s prisons, where she endured dehumanizing treatment. Post-prison, she became a mother to her son Christopher and a “mama” to countless LGBTQ+ youth, offering them love, resources, and a safe space when their own families wouldn’t.
The AIDS crisis hit close to home when Miss Major lost her partner, Joe Bob, to the disease. Devastated but determined, she became a leading voice in HIV prevention, taking to the streets to educate and support those most at risk. Her work with the TGI Justice Project further cemented her legacy, advocating for the safety and dignity of incarcerated trans people.
Now in her 80s, Miss Major lives in Arkansas with her partner Beck and their child Asiah. From Stonewall to street clinics, her life has been a testament to the power of love, resistance, and community care. Miss Major Griffin-Tracy is not just an icon—she’s a mother, a mentor, and a reminder that the fight for justice is far from over.
James Baldwin
Born in Harlem in 1924, James Baldwin rose from poverty to become one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. With his razor-sharp wit, unflinching honesty, and poetic prose, Baldwin tackled race, sexuality, and identity in ways that still resonate today.
As a teen, Baldwin followed in his stepfather’s footsteps and became a preacher. Those three years in the pulpit shaped his writing style, infusing it with the rhythm and passion of the church. But Baldwin knew he was destined for more. At 18, he left home, working odd jobs before landing in Greenwich Village, where he began his journey as a writer. His first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), was a groundbreaking exploration of race, religion, and identity.
In 1948, Baldwin moved to Paris to escape America’s racial tensions and find his voice. There, he wrote Giovanni’s Room (1956), a daring exploration of homosexuality, and The Fire Next Time (1963), a searing critique of racism that landed him on the cover of TIME magazine. Baldwin’s time abroad gave him the clarity to confront America’s injustices head-on, making him a key figure in the civil rights movement.
James Baldwin’s work is more relevant than ever. From Go Tell It on the Mountain to The Fire Next Time, his writing challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths and fight for a better world. As Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
Looking Ahead
Black History Month was created to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans, especially because they are often ignored or outright erased from history. We challenge you to learn more on your own about some of these pioneers we have listed, as well as the countless other Black individuals, especially Black queer individuals, who have made our country what it is today. Let’s honor their legacies by learning, sharing, and amplifying their stories.
Sources
- Aviles, Gwen, et al. “16 queer Black trailblazers who made history.” NBC News, 1 February 2022, https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/nbc-out-proud/black-history-month-17-lgbtq-black-pioneers-who-made-history-n1130856. Accessed 3 February 2025.
- Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. “Phill Wilson.” Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, https://chicagolgbthalloffame.org/wilson-phill/.
- Goodman, Elyssa. “Remembering Josephine Baker, a Radical Bisexual Performer and Activist.” Them, Them, 21 October 2019, https://www.them.us/story/josephine-baker-activism-history.
- The New York Historical. “Life Story: Miss Major Griffin-Gracy.” The New York Historical, https://wams.nyhistory.org/end-of-the-twentieth-century/the-information-age/miss-major-griffin-gracy/.
- PBS. “James Baldwin Biography and Quotes | James Baldwin Biography | American Masters.” PBS, 29 November 2006, https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/james-baldwin-about-the-author/59/. Accessed 3 February 2025.
- “Stormé DeLarverie (U.S.” National Park Service, 5 October 2020, https://www.nps.gov/people/storme-delarverie.htm. Accessed 3 February 2025.
