Past and present: Five global LGBTQI+ activists [photos]

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.

by Naledi de Wee

10-10-2022 11:57

in LGBTQIA

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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ALSO READ: Pride Month: 5 LGBTQI documentaries to check out [watch]

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.

Simon Nkoli is one of the most iconic LGBTQI activists in South Africa. Image via Twitter @GLASA_ 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.

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RuPaul Charles is best known for his Emmy award-winning series, RuPaul's Drag Race'. Image via Twitter @thecartooncrave 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.

Noxolo Nogwaza was brutally murdered in April 2011. Image via Twitter @Someleze_ ALSO READ: Rainbow families: Five celebrity queer parents in Mzansi [photos]

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.

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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.

Christine Jorgenson was one of the first people to come out as transgender. Image via Twitter @BuzzFeed 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.

Marsha P Johnson is known as the Rosa Parks of the LGBT movement'. Image via Twitter @Tribeca

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