Nikki Giovanni was a highly influential American poet and a key figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s. Her work fearlessly explored themes of race, civil rights, love, and empowerment, deeply reflecting the experiences of Black life. Along with living openly as a lesbian during a time when it was not widely accepted, she spoke out for transgender rights.

Bayard Rustin was a political activist and openly gay man serving as a key architect behind the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Despite facing prejudice due to his sexuality, Rustin's strategic brilliance and dedication to justice powerfully shaped the American civil rights and gay rights movement.

Sylvia Rivera was a veteran of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, drag queen, transgender woman, and a fierce advocate for those most marginalized within the queer community. She and Marsha P. Johnson co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, an organization that provided services for homeless LGBTQIA+ youth.

James Baldwin was a celebrated American writer, known for his impactful essays, novels, and plays that explored themes of race, class, and human sexuality. As an openly gay man, he became a significant voice during the civil rights movement, using his eloquent and powerful writing to address the complexities of American society and his own experiences within it.

Juan Gabriel, born Alberto Aguilera Valadez, was a legendary Mexican singer, songwriter, and actor, regarded as one of the most prolific and influential Latin American artists of all time. He composed 1,500+ songs, blending genres like mariachi, pop, and ballads. His enduring legacy is marked earned him the affectionate nickname "El Divo de Juárez."

Audre Lorde was a self-described "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet" whose powerful writing and activism fearlessly explored the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. Her work challenged social norms and became foundational to Black feminist theory, advocating for liberation and justice for marginalized communities.

Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues," was a American blues singer who rose to fame in the 1920s. Smith's music often explored themes of hardship and female sexuality, and she was known to have relationships with men and women. She was celebrated for her rich contralto voice, becoming one of the highest-paid Black entertainers of her time.

Lorraine Hansberry was an American playwright & activist. Her best-known work, the play A Raisin in the Sun, highlights the lives of Black Americans in Chicago under racial segregation. Hansberry was a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and her personal experiences and deep involvement in the civil rights movement informed her powerful storytelling and advocacy.

Jiggly Caliente, also known as Bianca Castro-Arabejo, was a Filipino-American drag performer who first captured hearts on RuPaul's Drag Race S4. Known for her infectious energy and fierce wit, she quickly became a fan favorite. Caliente openly identified as a transgender woman and used her platform to promote visibility and acceptance.

Marsha P. Johnson was a Black American drag queen and prominent queer rights activist. She was a key figure in the Stonewall uprising of 1969 and co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) to support homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Johnson was an advocate during the AIDS crisis and a presence in NYC’s queer and art scene.

Leslie Cheung was a Hong Kong singer & actor, known as one of the founding fathers of Cantopop. Known for his debonair demeanor and flamboyant screen characters, he achieved immense success throughout the 80s-90s. Cheung broke barriers as an openly bisexual man, notably in films like "Happy Together," earning him an enduring legacy as a cultural icon across Asia.

André Leon Talley was a influential American fashion journalist, stylist, creative director, and editor-at-large for Vogue. Renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of fashion, his flamboyant personal style, and his advocacy for greater diversity within the industry, his groundbreaking career broke barriers as one of the most influential Black men in fashion journalism.

The Lady Chablis, born Brenda Dale Knox, was an American actress, author, and performer. She rose to fame playing herself in John Berendt's 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and its film adaptation. As one of the first transgender women to be introduced to a mainstream audience, Chablis insisted on being referred to only by her name and not as a "drag queen," asserting her identity as a woman.