Black History Month: 12 influential Black LGBTQ+ voices

As we commemorate Black History Month, it's imperative to recognize the diverse tapestry of voices that have shaped the narrative of Black identity and liberation. Among these voices are those who identify as LGBTQ+, whose stories have often been overlooked or marginalized. Yet, their contributions to both the LGBTQ+ movement and the broader struggle for racial equality have been profound and far-reaching.

 

In this article, we highlight 12 influential black LGBTQ+ figures whose courage, activism, and creativity are making a mark on history. From trailblazing activists to groundbreaking artists, these individuals are challenging societal norms, shattering stereotypes, and paving the way for greater acceptance and inclusion.

Krystal Lake

The New York-born, London-based DJ, radio host, filmmaker and social influencer Krystal Lake wants organizations to take homophobic remarks and labels seriously and do more to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion.  She started her own social media channel to teach "the stuff that schools don't" on TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat.

Her material focuses on Black, LGBTQ+ women, and mental health subjects: "I educate the world about LGBTQ+ topics and issues. I let people know there is nothing wrong with being a part of the rainbow mafia, and most importantly, I teach people how to love themselves. My platform is a safe space, and I let that be known to anyone, whether they're LGBTQ+ or straight."

RuPaul

American drag queen, singer, and actor RuPaul is well-known for TV shows as RuPaul's Drag Race and RuPaul's Drag U.  Many members of the LGBTQ+ community credit him with bringing drag into the spotlight. RuPaul paved the way as the first openly gay national television host on The RuPaul Show on VH1 in 1996. Currently, as the host of RuPaul’s Drag Race, he has helped launch the careers of more than 120 drag queens.

RuPaul’s mantra for his entire career spanning more than 35 years has been to “love yourself.” During his sendoff at the end of each episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, he addresses fans and contestants alike with the advice, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you going to love someone else?”  He is an intense supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. He has also been named one of the hundred most influential people of 2017 by Time magazine. RuPaul has become a beacon in gay, drag, and trans communities. 

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox has been noted by her LGBTQ+ peers and many others, for being a trailblazer for the transgender community. She has won numerous awards for her activist approach in spreading awareness. Her impact and prominence in the media has led to a growing conversation about transgender culture, specifically transgender women, and how being transgender intersects with one's race. Her Netflix documentary, released in 2020, tells the story of Hollywood and the media's evolving view of trans people over the years; the violence that the trans community faces; as well as movies and shows that have opened up opportunities for trans people to appear on screen.

She is the first transgender person to be on the cover of Time magazine, be nominated for a Primetime Emmy, and have a waxwork in Madame Tussauds. She is also well the first transgender woman to win a Daytime Emmy as an executive producer. Her activism isn't just relegated to magazine covers and awards shows. Cox constantly uplifts trans folks from all walks of life on social media. In May 2016, Cox was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from The New School in New York for her progressive work in the fight for gender equality. 

Lady Phyll

Renowned for publicly refusing an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honors, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, widely known as Lady Phyll, is the Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust, an LGBTQ+ charity that works to defend and uphold human rights. She has over 20 years experience as an LGBTQ+ rights activist and anti-racism campaigner. She has spent a decade advocating for the rights of workers within the largest civil service union as a lead negotiator on behalf of civil service workers.

Lady Phyllis is also the co-founder and executive director of UK Black Pride. Black Pride is the first event of its kind in Europe celebrating LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American descent "to promote and advocate for the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual health and wellbeing” of these communities. Constantly vocal on issues of race, gender, and sexuality, Lady Phyll is a formidable voice in the fight for equality for queer people of color. She has sat on the Trades Union Congress race relations committee and is currently a trustee LGBTQ+ rights charity, Stonewall. 

Reverend Jide Macaulay

Reverend Jide Macaulay is the founding Pastor and CEO of House of Rainbow CIC; a welcoming ministry for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer people. Carrying out the majority of its work in Africa, it has since moved to include both Muslims as well as Christians who are LGBTQ+.  He is an openly gay British-Nigerian born in London, a Christian minister since 1998, a dynamic and inspirational speaker, author, poet, pastor, and preacher, and HIV Positive activist. More recently, Macaulay was ordained a priest in the Church of England. He has won several awards, including the 2003 and 2007 Black LGBT Community Award for "Man of the Year" for his work helping people of faith. He was also shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards 2014 in the category of Positive Role Model.

Chloe Cousins

Working at the Proud Trust as the lead for the Trust’s LGBTQ+ Young People of Colour program, as well as co-founding the COLOURS Youth Network, Chloe Cousins works continuously to support LGBTQ+ people of color. In addition to this, Cousins also works as the Strategic Lead for Rainbow Noir in Manchester, working to celebrate LGBTQ+ people of color in spaces away from activism. Cousins' areas of expertise include LGBTQ+ youth work in and out of education, LGBTQ+ young people and faith, and young people of color.

Aaron Philip

Aaron Philip is the first black, transgender, and disabled model to be represented by a major modelling agency. She has appeared in a number of high-level campaigns and fashion shoots. Born with cerebral palsy in Antigua, Philip’s family relocated to New York. During her childhood, Philip’s Tumblr blog “Aaronverse”, which documented her experiences living with cerebral palsy, went viral, including being noticed by the site’s CEO. Driven by the lack of representation of trans women of color within the fashion industry, and the lack of disabled models, Aaron Philip succeeded in using editorial features in fashion magazines to promote an inclusive, diverse industry.

Mouda Goba

A refugee from Zimbabwe, Moud Goba is a proud human rights activist with almost 20 years of experience supporting LGBTQ+ and BAME people and organizations in the UK. Working closely with UK Black Pride as their Chair of Trustees, Goba also works as the Project Manager of Micro Rainbow, the LGBTQ+ refugee charity supporting LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in their journey toward settling in the UK. In her work at Micro Rainbow, Goba focuses on the company’s commitment to providing safe housing to prevent LGBTQ+ asylum seekers from becoming homeless while they wait for their applications to be processed. In 2015, Moud Goba was named one of the top 100 most influential LGBTQ+ people in the UK. 

Josh Rivers

Josh is the face of the successful podcast Busy Being Black, supported by myGwork. He previously worked at Soho House and Gay Times, bringing to the podcast his natural talents in production and detail. Busy Being Black explores what it means to be and live as a Black LGBTQ+ person, talking to other Black LGBTQ+ people about their experiences and thoughts. In his work he has examined intersections between race, queerness, colonialism, and class.

In addition to Busy Being Black, Rivers also volunteers as the Head of Communications for UK Black Pride, helping to curate events. Check out his article on Beyond Black History Month, here.

 

Donnya Piggott

Human rights activist Donnya Piggott is the founder of B-GLAD  (Barbados Gays, Lesbians, and All-Sexuals Against Discrimination), an LGBTQ+ organization operating in Barbados to provide a safe space for the community. B-GLAD provides education on LGBTQ+ issues as well as raises the profile of the LGBTQ+ community as it fights for acceptance. She was awarded the Young Leaders Award for her activism.

Piggott’s approach rejects the traditional argument on LGBTQ+ rights as one coming from a religious or moral standpoint – arguing it ends in stalemate – instead pursuing humanism and common humanity as reasons for the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. 

Michael Gunning

Competitive Swimmer Michael Gunning is a proud gay man who has competed at the 2017 and 2019 World Aquatics Championships, swimming in the 200-meter freestyle and butterfly events. Gunning is the national record holder for both categories, as well as the 400-meter freestyle. He represented Jamaica at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, bringing with him the success of a gay man competing for a country at a time when the LGBTQ+ community is seeking wider acceptance.

In his work, he has become the role model he wanted to see growing up: a proud, Black, gay man who has proved his critics wrong. After coming out as gay on the television show The Bi Life in December 2018, Gunning went on to win the Pride Award at the Attitude Pride Awards 2019 for his efforts in visualizing LGBTQ+ sport around the globe. He plans to continue to make the sporting world an easier place for everyone to be their authentic selves and is fighting for LGBTQ+ equality in sports.

 

Mzz Kimberley

American-born Mzz Kimberley grew up in London and went on to become a cabaret artist, singer, and actress. Kimberley has worked with a number of organizations, including Trans Creative and 100 Trans Voices, to tell her story and talk about the importance of representation for trans voices in the creative arts. Additionally, she has performed at Pride in London as a regular feature. She has also recently starred as Eva in the German sitcom The Finellis. She is a proud disabled woman of color, who is passionate about social justice.

Brisbon Kofi

Brisbon Kofi is the pen name of stage and voice actor Cameron Bernard Jones. Kofi is a London-based poet and creative writer originally from New York City. His writing explores nature's elements, sex, love, trauma, and freedom through the lens of modern-day Western culture, focusing on themes of black male homosexuality and African diaspora culture. Publishing his first poetry anthology, The Healing Section, Kofi explores the world and emotions through the eyes of a Black gay man in modern society. This exceptional work has led him to work with UK Black Pride, UK Black History Month, and a variety of artists to produce and create thought-provoking works and campaigns around Black and LGBTQ+ identity and history.

By listening to Black LGBTQ+ people and uplifting these voices, we not only honor their struggles and triumphs but also recognize the interconnectedness of our struggles for liberation.

 

As we continue to commemorate Black History Month and beyond, let us not only remember the struggles of the past but also reaffirm our dedication to building a future where every individual, regardless of their race or sexual orientation, can live authentically and thrive without fear of discrimination or prejudice. In doing so, we honor Black LGBTQ+ voices and ensure that their legacies endure as guiding lights in our ongoing quest for justice and equality.