As LGBT Pride Month draws to a close, I wanted to reflect on some of the people who have inspired me through the years, and consider what makes us “proud” as individuals and a community.
Aristotle taught that it was the moral obligation of each person to model ethical behavior for the people around them. Each person’s behavior is impacted by the actions of their community. We look up to people we can identify with, and we are inspired by the good work of the people around us.
Because members of the LGBTQ community are often faced with discrimination and alienated from their primary supports, LGBTQ role models are especially important. As the intake specialist for Mazzoni Center’s Open Door counseling program, I have seen many clients seeking acceptance and wrestling with their self-esteem as they come out. LGBTQ-identified role models inspire us to succeed in all walks of life by leading the way and showing that there are no limits to our potential.
We are fortunate to live at a time and in a place where more and more LGBTQ people are coming out and speaking up for the rights of their community. In working on this column, the best discovery for me was how difficult it was to limit myself to enumerating only 10 such role models who inspire me. None of these people are without blemish in the court of public opinion, but that has not kept them from doing great work. While the role models listed below are publicly known, some of the greatest LGBTQ role models are teachers, parents and others working locally in their communities. The following are presented in alphabetical order.
Kate Bornstein is an author and performance artist. Bornstein has written and talked publicly about her gender transition and identity as a lesbian as well as her own mental-health struggles including PTSD, borderline personality and anorexia. I was inspired by Bornstein’s biography, “A Queer and Pleasant Danger,” and her ability to be forthright about such difficult issues.
Dan Choi is a former American infantry officer who served in combat in Iraq from 2006-07 and came out publicly in 2009. As an activist, Choi publicly protested against “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and helped found Knights Out, an organization of West Point alumni who support the rights of LGBTQ soldiers. Choi inspires me because, in addition to helping to ensure that all LGBTQ Americans have the right to serve their country, he has highlighted for mainstream America the courage and patriotism of LGBTQ Americans.
Jason Collins is a center who played for the Boston Celtics and then the Washington Wizards in the 2012-13 season. Collins has been in the NBA for 13 seasons. He is the first active player in a major American team sport to come out publicly. NBA Commissioner David Stern praised Collins’ leadership and the White House called him courageous. As an avid sports fan, I am hopeful that Collins’ bravery will be the start of a much-needed change in the often-homophobic culture surrounding professional sports in America, from the locker room to the bleachers.
Ellen DeGeneres is a comedian and actor. DeGeneres came out publicly in 1997 and has been called TV’s first openly gay star. I was finishing middle school when Ellen came out, and I count myself as one of the millions who have felt safer because of her courage. The best part is that she has accomplished so much for herself and the LGBTQ community just by being hilarious.
Leslie Feinberg is a transgender author and activist. Feinberg’s first novel, “Stone Butch Blues,” won the Stonewall Book Award in 1994. Transgender and gender-non-conforming folks who have been lucky enough to stumble upon this book, myself included, discovered a relatable story that is seldom told and the gift of language with which to tell our own stories. Feinberg has been a lifelong advocate of the working class, the LGBTQ community and the disabled.
Barney Frank served 16 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. When he came out as gay in 1987, he was the first U.S. Congressperson to do so voluntarily. Frank has received 100-percent ratings from NARAL Pro Choice America, the NAACP and the HRC for his voting record and consistent support of women’s and civil rights for all.
Mondo Guerra is a fashion designer who appeared on “Project Runway” and won “Project Runway: All-Stars” in 2012. During “Project Runway,” Guerra came out publicly as HIV-positive and has become an outspoken advocate for HIV awareness. I am constantly inspired by the stories of Mazzoni Center’s HIV-positive clients, from those who have been living with HIV for 25 years to those who have discovered a new kind of courage in themselves following a recent diagnosis, and I am delighted to see Guerra showing the world what that strength and courage look like.
Rachel Maddow is a political commentator and author. Maddow was the first openly gay anchor of a major American prime-time news program. As a Rhodes Scholar, Maddow’s doctoral dissertation in political science addressed HIV/AIDS and health-care reform in British and American prisons.
Dan Savage is an author and columnist. Together with his husband, he began the “It Gets Better Project” to help prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth. I am so excited when I see young people coming into Mazzoni Center and connecting with the resources and supports available in the LGBTQ community. We all have a responsibility to show young people that it’s OK to be themselves, and “It Gets Better” seeks to do just that.
Wanda Sykes is a writer, comedian and actor. She has been named one of the 25 funniest people in America and has won an Emmy Award. Sykes came out publicly in 2008 while campaigning against California’s Proposition 8. I was living in California at the time, and in the face of the frightening support that Prop 8 was gathering, it was inspiring and comforting to see great people like Sykes rallying for the LGBTQ community.
Those are my 10 picks. Maybe this column will inspire you to consider who your own role models are, and the ways in which they have inspired you to be your best self.
Sean McNamara is the intake coordinator for Mazzoni Center’s Open Door counseling program.