While figures like Alan Turing are household names, many people who advanced LGBT+ rights in the UK aren’t as well known.
Here’s a 🧵 on a few people you should know.
#LGBTHM21
Here’s a 🧵 on a few people you should know.
#LGBTHM21
Allan Horsfall (1927 - 2012):
Often called the “grandfather of the modern gay rights movement in Britain”, he helped partially decriminalise male homosexuality in 1967 and founded the “Campaign for Homosexual Equality” to fight against stigma.
Often called the “grandfather of the modern gay rights movement in Britain”, he helped partially decriminalise male homosexuality in 1967 and founded the “Campaign for Homosexual Equality” to fight against stigma.
Lisa Power:
The first openly LGBT+ person to speak at the UN in 1991, she was out as a lesbian in the 1970s at a time when discrimination was common.
She became Secretary-General of @ILGAWORLD in 1988 and co-founded @stonewalluk in '89 with Ian McKellen @mcashmanCBE and others
The first openly LGBT+ person to speak at the UN in 1991, she was out as a lesbian in the 1970s at a time when discrimination was common.
She became Secretary-General of @ILGAWORLD in 1988 and co-founded @stonewalluk in '89 with Ian McKellen @mcashmanCBE and others
Justin Fashanu (1961-1998):
The world’s first professional football player to come out as gay.
He made the announcement on 22 October 1990 in The Sun newspaper but suffered backlash from fans, the Black community and members of his own family.
The world’s first professional football player to come out as gay.
He made the announcement on 22 October 1990 in The Sun newspaper but suffered backlash from fans, the Black community and members of his own family.
Lily Parr (1905 - 1978):
Her professional football career started in 1919. She was only 14 when she joined Dick, Kerr Ladies F.C. in Preston.
She was also very open about her relation with her partner, at a time when members of the LGBT+ community were still ostracised.
Her professional football career started in 1919. She was only 14 when she joined Dick, Kerr Ladies F.C. in Preston.
She was also very open about her relation with her partner, at a time when members of the LGBT+ community were still ostracised.
Maureen Colquhoun (1928 - 2021):
Britain's first openly lesbian MP, her relationship was made public in 1976 when she was outed by the Daily Mail.
As a Labour MP (74-79), she was a campaigner for women's rights, particularly access to abortion and decriminalising prostitution.
Britain's first openly lesbian MP, her relationship was made public in 1976 when she was outed by the Daily Mail.
As a Labour MP (74-79), she was a campaigner for women's rights, particularly access to abortion and decriminalising prostitution.
Chris Smith:
The UK's first openly gay male MP, he came out in 1984 at a gay rights rally and later became the first gay cabinet minister under PM Tony Blair.
In 2005, he announced publicly that he had been HIV positive since 1987.
The UK's first openly gay male MP, he came out in 1984 at a gay rights rally and later became the first gay cabinet minister under PM Tony Blair.
In 2005, he announced publicly that he had been HIV positive since 1987.
Roberta Cowell (1918 - 2011):
The first known trans woman to undergo sex reassignment surgery in the UK, she was a racing driver and Second World War fighter pilot.
The first known trans woman to undergo sex reassignment surgery in the UK, she was a racing driver and Second World War fighter pilot.
Virginia Woolf (1882 - 1941):
The British feminist author was married to a man but was open about her relationship with writer Vita Sackville-West.
Her book “Orlando” is said to be based on their relationship and features a main character who switches genders.
The British feminist author was married to a man but was open about her relationship with writer Vita Sackville-West.
Her book “Orlando” is said to be based on their relationship and features a main character who switches genders.
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah:
Also known as “Lady Phyll”, she is the executive director of UK Black Pride, which she also co-founded in 2005, and that now takes place every year.
Also known as “Lady Phyll”, she is the executive director of UK Black Pride, which she also co-founded in 2005, and that now takes place every year.
Nicola Adams:
In August 2016, Nicola became the first British boxer to successfully defend their Olympic title for 92 years. Openly lesbian, Nicola has said she hopes to use her celebrity status to inspire others.
In August 2016, Nicola became the first British boxer to successfully defend their Olympic title for 92 years. Openly lesbian, Nicola has said she hopes to use her celebrity status to inspire others.
This is a short thread and there are many more people who deserve recognition. Who else do you admire for advancing LGBT+ rights?
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