Simon Nkoli is one of the most iconic LGBTQI+ activists in South Africa. Image via Twitter @GLASA_
Past and present: Five global LGBTQI+ activists [photos]
Simon Nkoli, RuPaul Charles, Christine Jorgensen and more: Take a look at five global LGBTQI+ icons and activists.
Simon Nkoli is one of the most iconic LGBTQI+ activists in South Africa. Image via Twitter @GLASA_
The LGBTQI+ community is known for its fearless leaders who have fought against difficult issues that impact queer people. To celebrate Pride Month in South Africa, we look at five LGBTQI+ icons and leaders who have made a significant impact in the world.
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1. SIMON NKOLI
Simon Nkoli was an LGBTQI+ and HIV/AIDS activist in South Africa. Nkoli, who passed away in November 1998, was one of the first queer people to engage with former president Nelson Mandela on LGBTQI+ issues. He founded the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW) and organised the first Pride Parade in South Africa.
2. RUPAUL CHARLES
American drag queen RuPaul Charles is best known for his Emmy award-winning reality competition show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. RuPaul is also known for his activist work in the United States. The multi-talented star often encourages LGBTQI+ people in the US to register to vote.
3. NOXOLO NOGWAZA
At the time of her tragic death in April 2011, Noxolo Nogwaza was a 24-year-old lesbian activist. Nogwaza was also a member of the Ekurhuleni Pride Organising Committee (EPOC). Following her untimely death, an American non-profit organisation raised funds for the EPOC and Nogwaza’s two children.
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4. CHRISTINE JORGENSEN
Christine Jorgensen, who was born George Jorgensen, was one of the first people to come out as transgender. According to BBC, Christine underwent hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery in Denmark and returned to New York as a woman.
“I was a bit nervous because there were too many people at that period who insisted I was crazy,” she reportedly said in an interview.
5. MARSHA P. JOHNSON
Marsha P. Johnson has been described as the “Rosa Parks of the LGBT” movement. Although she never came out as transgender, Johnson is considered an iconic LGBTQI+ queer figure. The Netflix documentary, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson explores her colourful life and her tragic death. She was found dead in 1992 on the Hudson River shore.
