Edie Windsor was in her 80s when she sued the U.S. government. Her wife, Thea Spyer, died in 2009. The following year, Windsor received a $363,000 tax bill—estate taxes that, had the government recognized their marriage, would have been nonexistent.
In 2012, April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse filed a lawsuit challenging Michigan’s ban that prevented same-sex couples like DeBoer and Rowse from jointly adopting their children.
Lilian Cooper worked as a physician at the Hospital for Sick Children, and the Lady Lamington Hospital for Women, Brisbane from about 1893 and from 1905.
Mexican playwright, essayist, and poet
20th century Irish republican
Cofounded by Cuban activist and playwright Ana Maria Simo in 1992, the Lesbian Avengers used direct-action tactics (nonviolent demonstrations such as marches and kiss-ins) to increase lesbian visibility.
American poet
Julia Nicol worked actively as an anti-apartheid activist in the late 1980s and early 90s, particularly concerned with the anti-discrimination rights for LGBTQIA+ people.
Kewpie was a hairdresser and iconic queer figure in South Africa.
Indian-American lawyer and activist noted for her LGBTQ+ activism and leadership of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force during the AIDS crisis.