evanbrechtel

June 21, 2019July 3, 2019

#QueerHeroes Day 21 – Magnus Hirschfeld

Hirschfeld was a German sexologist who formed the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee in 1897, one of the first advocacy groups for gay and transgender rights.

In 1919, he opened the Institute for Sex Research in Berlin. It became a cultural and scientific hub for queer social reformers, researchers, sociologists and scientists. In the 1930s, it began offering the first modern gender confirmation surgeries. Along with being a shelter for disenfranchised queer people, it housed a wealth of research and studies of gender in its vast library.

In 1933, Nazis raided the institute while Hirschfeld was in Switzerland. They burned the entirety of books and archives, totaling about 25,000 pieces. This one act set gender theory and progress back by an untold amount of time.

Hirschfeld was exiled and died in France.

June 20, 2019July 3, 2019

#QueerHeroes Day 20 – Keith Haring

Haring’s art first began getting attention with the graffiti he would create on blank ad spaces in New York subway platforms. He’d later use it to create fliers and art work for the ACT UP movement which was fighting against the AIDS epidemic ravaging New York, America, and the world.

His art seems simple at first glance. There’s no shading, no illusion of depth, not even faces. But, like Haring’s own activism, there’s an overwhelming motion and rhythm to every piece, mobilizing its viewer toward a sexual, joyous utopia.

Haring shot to international stardom and was commissioned to do a mural on the Berlin Wall. It was over 900 feet long and featured black and red figures interlocking arms in front of a yellow background, representing the hope of German unity.

Haring died from AIDS complications at 31.

June 19, 2019July 3, 2019

#QueerHeroes Day 19 – Janet Mock

Janet Mock is a transgender writer, editor, director, and producer. Her debut memoir, Redefining Realness, became a New York Times bestseller.

In addition to being one of the writers and directors of POSE (which just got an early renewal for a third season after its season 2 premiere earned the best ratings ever), she’s an occasional editor for Marie Claire. She was the first trans woman of color hired to write for a tv show in history (which is ridiculous).

Today, it was announced that she signed a multi year overall deal with Netflix, that will allow her creative control of a slew of original work.

I’m celebrating her success, but I’m also celebrating the fact that her invigorating, original work will be featured on one of the most popular streaming sites ever, bringing new stories to eyes that may not have seen them otherwise.

This is just the beginning for her.

June 18, 2019July 3, 2019

#QueerHeroes Day 18 – Sally Ride

Sally Ride became the first American woman in space on this day, 36 years ago. The male engineers at the time asked her how many tampons she’d need for a one week space flight. Their guess was 100.

She quickly corrected them.

She was 32 years old and remains the youngest astronaut to ever travel in space. After leaving NASA in the 80s, she went on to become a physics professor at multiple universities, as well as investigating the Columbia and Challenger tragedies.

She died of pancreatic cancer in 2012, survived by her partner of nearly 30 years: Tam O’Shaughnessy.

June 17, 2019July 3, 2019

#QueerHeroes Day 17 – Matthew Shepard

Matthew Shepard shouldn’t be on this list.

He should be at home, perhaps with a husband, maybe even kids. Or embarking on an exciting new adventure or a career he began after the college he never got to graduate from. He should be enjoying a life that he may not have believed possible the fateful night he went to that bar in Laramie, Wyoming.

Two monsters beat him beyond recognition, tied him to a fencepost, and left him for dead. He was barely alive when found. He died days later.

His horrific murder helped mobilize people like Ellen DeGeneres (who had just come out) and others to advocate for hate crime protections for queer people. For compassion in general.

Matthew’s incredible parents—Dennis and Judy Shepard—have since dedicated their lives to education and advocacy. Reliving his death so that others won’t feel their pain.

Last year, he was interred at the Washington National Cathedral.