The San Francisco Bay Times commemorates Transgender History Month with a cover highlighting both past and present individuals who have made a positive difference in the trans and LGBTQ+ communities.
Amelio Robles Ávila: Born in Mexico and assigned female at birth, Ávila fought in the Mexican Revolution and rose to the rank of colonel. For his bravery and leadership, he received numerous awards, including from the Mexican Legion of Honor. Photo: www.infobae.com
Willmer Broadnax: A highly regarded singer during the golden age of traditional Black gospel music, Willmer “Little Ax” Broadnax had a voice that music critic Ray Funk described as “sweet but almost vicious, dripping with emotion.” Photo: www.transguys.com
Teresita La Campesina: Music trailblazer La Campesina was a ranchera singer who helped forge the queer Latinx Mission community. Photo: Photo: www.spectrumsouth.com
Felicia Elizondo: LGBTQ+ activist Felicia “Flames” Elizondo was a regular at Gene Compton’s Cafeteria and later carried a torch for all who fought in the 1966 riot at Compton’s. As a longtime HIV/AIDS survivor, she also became a fundraiser for HIV nonprofits and friends in need.
Christine Jorgensen: The first individual to become widely known in the U.S. for having gender reassignment surgery, Jorgensen was a successful actress, singer, and recording artist. She was an inaugural honoree of the Rainbow Honor Walk in San Francisco, and was also an inaugural honoree of the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor within the Stonewall National Monument. Photo by Maurice Seymour
Lou Sullivan: According to the Seattle Gay News, Sullivan was perhaps the first transgender man to publicly identify as gay. The author and activist helped shape modern understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity as distinct, unrelated concepts. Photo by Mariette Pathy Allen
Pao Crego: Crego is the Executive Director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives for the City and County of San Francisco. Photo by Rink https://sf.gov/profile/pau-crego
Cecilia Chung: Chung is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Evaluation at the Transgender Law Center. http://www.ceciliachung.com/bio
Sean Dorsey: Dorsey, recognized as America’s first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, is also a writer, teacher, mentor, and cultural activist. Photo by Rink https://seandorseydance.com/
Suzanne Ford: Trans activist and public speaker Ford is the Executive Director of San Francisco Pride. Photo by Rink https://sfpride.org/team/
Honey Mahogany: Mahogany is the Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party and the SF Democratic County Central Committee. Photo by Rink https://tinyurl.com/yc43w2ar
Aria Sa’id: Award-winning political strategist Sa’id is the former Executive Director of The Transgender District, for which she is also a founder. Photo by Rink https://ariasaid.com/
Clearly the list of modern leaders could be much larger, so look for more on those mentioned as well as not in future issues. For a much more extensive list of transgender figures and events in history, see the timeline at the Transgender History Month website:
https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/
Published on August 10, 2023
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