5 impressive queer personalities and their background stories
The queer scene is full of inspiring people. Many of them have made it their mission to encourage others and fight for "the good cause".
Five impressive queer personalities will be used to show how colorful and diverse society is and was.
All of the individuals listed below have used their resources to advance the LGBTQIA+ community and have done essential work to educate and integrate. Some of them have also died or fallen victim to attacks because of their beliefs.
These five personalities everyone should know
To begin with, a list of all the people who have stood up for the queer community, who are inspiring and courageous, would be endlessly long. Therefore, it is only possible to provide a small excerpt below. But this alone shows how important it is that these important people and their deeds are never forgotten.
Pioneer of the LGBTQIA+ Movement in Uganda: David Kato
David Kato worked as a teacher at a school in Uganda after his studies. He was homosexual and lost his job because of it. He then moved to South Africa, where he became acquainted with the LGBTQIA+ movement.
Back in Uganda, he held a press conference in which he also outed himself as homosexual. This step was associated with imprisonment and one newspaper even called for David Kato's execution.
He was assassinated in 2011 and is considered a co-founder of the LGBTQIA+ movement in Uganda.
First outing of a professional athlete: Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King was a successful tennis player who, in times of active feminism, advocated that men and women be treated equally on the tennis courts.
She also came out as homosexual in 1981. This made her the first active professional athlete to publicly admit her sexual orientation.
At the time, her outing meant that within 24 hours all her sponsors jumped ship and distanced themselves from the tennis ace. Although she was aware of exactly that in advance, she accepted the subsequent consequences.
Acting icon Marlene Dietrich: First transsexual kiss in film
Marlene Dietrich is one of the most famous actresses of the 20s. In the film "Morocco" she is dressed as a man in one scene. That alone would have been a cause for outrage in the 20s. But in said film she kisses a woman as a man.
Time and again there was discussion that the scene would have to be cut from the film. Marlene Dietrich, however, fought to preserve the scene. It was only through her commitment that a kiss between two women flickered across the cinema screen.
First openly homosexual soccer player: Thomas Hitzlsperger
He is considered the first openly homosexual professional soccer player in Germany. Hitzlsperger played actively for Stuttgart and was also used frequently in the German national team. Today he is a board member at VfB-Stuttgart.
Despite the frightening example of Justin Fashanu, who was disowned and ostracized by his family, team and the public after coming out, he came out as homosexual. Even today, he is considered an absolute role model for many athletes when it comes to standing by oneself.
Provocative and obvious: Lil Nas X
Rapper and singer Lil Nas X became famous through his song with country legend Billy Ray Cyrus. At the latest since his hit "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)", in whose video he performs a hot lap dance in front of Satan and slides on the pole towards hell, you know: He COULD be queer.
He lives out his homosexuality openly and creatively. During puberty he prayed that his inclination towards men was just a queer phase, today he makes headlines with his provocations and has also fallen in love.
Have you noticed? This documentary receives the Catholic Media Award