GLBT History Month 2008

October is the GLBT History Month here in the United States. It is the month that highlights annually the achievements of 31 GLBT individuals whose work outshined and gave society new ways of thinking and looking at the world. For more information on each of the icons, click here.

The following are a few of the 2008 icons whose work and words make you think...hard:
"In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do." (Fashion Designer, Gianni Versace)
"The hardest thing I ever did, coming out, turns out to give me a reputation almost instantly for honesty and courage, which any politician would kill for." (Politician, Sheila Kuehl)
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." (Anthropologist and Author, Margaret Mead)
"We have the chance to be role models for other gay folks who wanted to play sports but never felt good enough or strong enough." (9/11 Hero, Mark Bingham)
"If AIDS had taught us anything, it was that we must be true to ourselves if we are to survive." (Founder of NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, Cleve Jones)
"Prejudice tolerated is intolerance encouraged." (Actor, playwright and screenwriter, Harvey Fierstein)
"I wear my uniform at every inappropriate moment to remind people of gays and lesbians who have to serve in silence in the military." (Military Officer, Margareth Cammermeyer)
"When you’ve seen prejudice, you understand that we aren’t finished, that we’re still perfecting this American experiment." (Activist, Anthony Romero)
"It is important to allow people who want to be positive contributors of our society regardless of sex, race, creed and gender to reach their human potential." (First transgender member of a national legislature, Georgina Beyer)
"The world should be striving to make all its members secure." (Playwright, Tony Kushner)
"The job of the architect today is to create beautiful buildings. That's all." (Architect, Philip Johnson)
"The only thing that can save the world is the reclaiming of the awareness of the world. That's what poetry does." (Poet and Activist, Allen Ginsberg)
"Living and dying is not the big issue. The big issue is what you’re going to do with your time while you are here." (Dancer and Choreographer, Bill T. Jones)

To read more, visit the GLBT History Month website.