LGBTQ+ women who made history

My name is Erin and I am a Scottish Regional Ambassador. 

My history before It Gets Better UK was mainly in the Scottish intersectional feminist movement, and working in both sectors has had me see how important the intersection of the LGBTQ+ rights and the feminist movement is, especially in recent times.

Today, I'm thinking about some of the LGBTQ+ women who made history. Here are some of my favourites.

Marsha P Johnson, 1945-1992

Marsha P. Johnson at a Pride celebration in New York City, NPS

An absolute icon for LGBTQ+ rights and one of the most prominent faces you think of. Martha was a trans woman who was part of the front lines in the Stonewall Riots and led protests after the wake of the raid. She actively spoke about trans exclusion from pride parades and founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries which sheltered young trans people. Her ambition was “to see gay people liberated and free and to have equal rights that other people have in America.”

Sappho, c. 630-570 BC

Sappho was a Greek poet who was born on the isle of Lesbos. Her name and her birth island helped originate the words Sapphic and Lesbian. She is, according to Plato, the Tenth Muse, "The Poetess" to Homer's "The Poet". There are an array of theories about her and her sexuality because of the nature of her work. The majority of her poetry was destroyed, but the remaining poems like this one are studied and revered. Sappho represents women loving women from ancient times to today, and there’s no doubt she still makes an impact to the community.

Anne Lister, 1791-1840

Anne Lister is classed as the first “Modern Lesbian”. Her diaries were written in a secret code and detailed her seduction of women. She was also nicknamed ‘Gentleman Jack’ as she regularly dressed more masculine than the typical woman of the time. Her diaries changed the way lesbian history was looked at, as she was incredibly confident in her sexuality and was totally uninterested in what society expected from her. Her and her lover Mariana classed themselves as married and as wives. Her diaries have been called the “Dead Sea Scrolls” of lesbian history, because of what a rich picture they paint of lesbian life.

England Women's Football Team - the Lionesses

Despite being Scottish, I still have to mention the amazing ladies of the England Women’s Team. They won the European Championship in 2022 (which was England’s first major tournament title since 1966) and were the runners up for the women’s World Cup in 2023. The history of women in football, especially major tournaments, is a complicated one. Women were banned from competing in the aftermath of WW1 and weren’t allowed to complete internationally until 1972. As well as being feminist icons, so many of the Lionesses are LGBTQ+ icons too, out and proud about their sexuality and are an inspiration to young girls.

Thanks for reading! Who are some LGBTQ+ women you look up to?