Women’s history is often overlooked or erased. For LGBTQ+ women, their sexuality and gender identity have frequently led to their contributions being ignored or their identities stripped from the narratives of history. The best way to fight this erasure is to amplify their stories and ensure they’re told. These hidden figures—activists, leaders, and trailblazers—pushed boundaries, challenged systems, and made history, even when their work went unseen or uncelebrated. Here are just a few of them. 

The Unsung Heroes of the AIDS Epidemic

During the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, lesbians stepped up as caregivers, activists, and lifesavers. Dubbed the Blood Sisters, they organized blood drives, provided emotional support, and fought against the stigma and neglect faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Their courage and compassion saved lives and inspired a movement. 

When gay men were banned from donating blood in 1983, the Blood Sisters answered the call. Organizing blood drives across the U.S., they provided life-saving transfusions for AIDS patients and offered emotional support to those abandoned by their families. Their grassroots efforts brought hope during a dark time. 

The Blood Sisters and other groups like them didn’t just donate blood—they became caregivers, advocates, and activists. From hospital vigils to grief counseling, they filled the gaps left by a neglectful healthcare system and a prejudiced society. Their legacy reminds us of the power of community in the face of crisis. But they didn’t stop at caregiving—they challenged institutional homophobia and political neglect. Their activism forced governments to acknowledge the AIDS crisis and take action. Their courage paved the way for progress in HIV/AIDS treatment and advocacy.

This is one of the reasons why the “L” is first in LGBTQ+.

Joycelyn Elders

Dr. Joycelyn Elders was the first African American and second woman to serve as U.S. Surgeon General. From her humble beginnings as the daughter of Arkansas sharecroppers to her groundbreaking work in pediatric endocrinology and public health advocacy, Dr. Elders has spent her life breaking barriers and fighting for equity. 

Born into poverty in rural Arkansas, Joycelyn Elders grew up picking cotton while attending a segregated school 13 miles away. Despite the odds, she earned a scholarship to Philander Smith College and later became the first person in Arkansas board-certified in pediatric endocrinology. Her determination and resilience paved the way for her historic career. 

While she served as Surgeon General under Bill Clinton’s administration, Dr. Elders fearlessly advocated for progressive public health policies, including comprehensive sex education, contraceptive access, and the medicinal use of marijuana. Her outspoken views sparked controversy, resulting in her being fired from her post in 1994. However, Dr. Elders’ work didn’t stop after her tenure as Surgeon General. She returned to academia, continued her research, and wrote her autobiography, sharing her journey from sharecropper’s daughter to one of the most influential figures in public health. 

Sylvia Rivera

Sylvia Rivera was a fearless advocate for transgender rights and a veteran of the Stonewall Uprising. From her early activism to co-founding STAR House, Sylvia dedicated her life to fighting for those marginalized by the larger LGBTQ+ movement.

Sylvia Rivera’s activism began at just 17 years old during the Stonewall Uprising, where she fought back against police brutality and sparked a revolution. Alongside Marsha P. Johnson, she co-founded STAR House, providing shelter and support for homeless transgender youth. Her work reminds us that the fight for equality must include everyone. 

Sylvia Rivera refused to be silenced. In 1973, she famously grabbed the mic at a Pride parade, declaring, “If it wasn’t for the drag queen, there would be no gay liberation movement.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4GKaSh_wlE

Sylvia Rivera’s life was marked by hardship, but also by her unwavering commitment to justice. From her early struggles to her later work with Transy House, she never stopped fighting for the rights of transgender people, especially those of color. Sylvia Rivera’s fight for equality lives on through the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP), an organization dedicated to ensuring that all people can self-determine their gender identity and expression without fear of discrimination or violence. Rivera’s life reminds us that the LGBTQ+ movement must include everyone, especially those most marginalized.

Sarah McBride

Sarah McBride made history as the first openly transgender person elected to a state senate in the U.S. and now serves as the first openly trans U.S. Senator. From her groundbreaking work in Delaware to her powerful advocacy on the national stage, McBride continues to fight for equality and representation. Let’s celebrate her journey! Sarah McBride’s political journey began early, leading the Delaware Young Democrats at just 17. After coming out as transgender in college, she became the first openly trans woman to work at the White House. Her courage and determination paved the way for her historic election to the Delaware State Senate in 2020. 

Sarah McBride’s advocacy has transformed lives. She played a key role in passing Delaware’s groundbreaking gender identity anti-discrimination law in 2013 and has been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights ever since. Her work reminds us that change is possible when we fight for it, and her personal story is one of resilience and love. After losing her husband, Andrew Cray, to cancer just days after their wedding, she channeled her grief into advocacy, fighting for healthcare access and LGBTQ+ equality. 

Her historic achievements and unwavering advocacy remind us of the power of representation. As the first openly trans U.S. Senator, she’s breaking barriers and inspiring future generations to live authentically and fight for justice. 

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday, also known as “Lady Day,” was more than a jazz legend—she was a trailblazer who broke barriers and used her voice to fight injustice. From her groundbreaking performances to her iconic protest song Strange Fruit, Holiday’s legacy continues to inspire.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Harlem, Billie Holiday began singing in nightclubs at just 18. With no formal training, she captivated audiences with her unique voice and improvisational skills. Discovered by producer John Hammond, she became the first African American woman to perform with an all-white band, breaking racial barriers in music. She was also openly bisexual at a time when it was far from socially acceptable, living authentically in the face of adversity.

Billie Holiday’s haunting performance of Strange Fruit—a protest song against lynching—became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Despite backlash and government surveillance, she refused to stop singing it. Billie Holiday’s life was marked by both brilliance and hardship. Despite facing racism, abuse, and addiction, she became one of the greatest jazz singers of all time. Her music and activism remind us of the power of art to challenge injustice. 

As we celebrate the stories of these women, let’s also commit to uncovering and uplifting the narratives of those who have been erased or forgotten. By sharing the stories of these women, we not only honor their legacies but also challenge the systems that have silenced them for too long. Their courage and resilience remind us that history is shaped by those who dare to fight for change, even when their voices are marginalized. Let’s continue to uplift their stories, celebrate their contributions, and ensure that future generations know their names and the impact they made. Together, we can rewrite history to reflect the full truth of who shaped it.

References

Billie Holiday. (n.d.). National Museum of African American History and Culture. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://nmaahc.si.edu/billie-holiday
Bi.org. (n.d.). Famous Bis: Billie Holiday. Bi.org. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://bi.org/en/articles/famous-bis-billie-holiday
Brandman, M. (n.d.). Sarah McBride. National Women's History Museum. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sarah-mcbride
Harvard Medical School. (n.d.). M. Joycelyn Elders, MD (First African American and the Second Woman to Become U.S. Surgeon General). Perspectives Of Change. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://perspectivesofchange.hms.harvard.edu/node/193
Kent, D. (2025, January 30). 119th Congress' LGBTQ members include first trans representative. Pew Research Center. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/30/119th-congress-lgbtq-members-include-first-trans-representative/
National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Dr. M. JoycelynElders. Changing the Face of Medicine. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_98.html
Richter, P. (1994, December 10). Clinton Fires Surgeon General Over New Flap. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-12-10-mn-7305-story.html
Rothberg, E. (n.d.). Sylvia Rivera. National Women's History Museum. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sylvia-rivera
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project. (n.d.). About SRLP | SRLP. Sylvia Rivera Law Project. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://srlp.org/about/