Oct. 13
Michael Guest
Diplomat
b. Oct. 26, 1957
“Leaders are judged not only by the challenges they tackle, but by those they fail to address.”
Michael Guest is the first openly gay Senate-confirmed U.S. ambassador. He was nominated by George W. Bush. After serving for 26 years, Guest resigned from the State Department due to its discriminatory policies toward same-sex couples.
In 2001, Secretary of State Colin Powell swore in Guest as ambassador to Romania. At the ceremony, Powell recognized Guest’s life partner, Alex Nevarez.
Oct. 14
Neil Patrick Harris
Actor
b. June 15, 1973
“I am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest.”
Neil Patrick Harris is an award-winning television, film and stage actor. Harris came out publicly in 2006, telling People magazine, “Rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions.”
Harris has guest starred on dozens of television series, and received an Emmy Award in 2010 for his performance on Glee. He has hosted the Academy Awards, the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Tony Awards.
Oct. 15
Daniel Hernandez Jr.
National Hero
b. Jan. 25, 1990
“I don’t think I’m a hero – the heroes are people who spend their entire lives trying to help others.”
University of Arizona student and congressional intern Daniel Hernandez Jr. garnered national recognition when he saved the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. President Obama acknowledged him for his heroism. He began as her congressional intern shortly before Giffords and 18 other people were shot in January 2011.
Equality Forum presented Hernandez with the 2011 National Hero Award. He resides in Tucson and plans to devote his career to public service.
Oct.16
Langston Hughes
Poet
b. Feb. 1, 1902
d. May 22, 1967
“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or does it fester like a sore – and then run?”
A celebrated poet and novelist, Langston Hughes is one of the most significant voices to emerge from the Harlem Renaissance. A major contributor to American literature, his legacy includes 25 published works.
Like most artists of his time, Hughes was not open about his sexuality. Literary scholars point to Montage of a Dream Deferred, Desire, Young Sailor and Tell Me as gay-themed works.
Oct. 19
Michael Kirby
Supreme Court Justice
b. March 18, 1939
“If every gay person in Australia stood up and said this is me, get over it, the whole shabby charade would be finished.”
Michael Kirby is a former justice of the High Court of Australia. He is the world’s first openly gay justice of a national supreme court. When he retired, he was Australia’s longest-serving judge.
A pioneering AIDS activist, Kirby served on the World Health Organization’s Global Commission on AIDS and the United Nations Global Commission on HIV and the Law.
In 1999, Kirby came out when he named his longterm partner, Johan van Vloten, in his listing in Who’s Who in Australia. The couple has been together since 1969.
Oct.18
David Kato
Activist
b. Feb. 13, 1964
d. Jan. 26, 2011
“What they’re doing now is to make it more harsh on people, anyone promoting homosexuality is being criminalized.”
David Kato was the founder of Uganda’s LGBT civil rights movement. He was an outspoken advocate for equality in a country with some of the harshest anti-gay laws.
In 2009, the Ugandan legislature proposed a bill designating the death penalty for homosexuality. The following year, a Ugandan national newspaper published the names and photographs of gay rights activists, including Kato. Four months later, Kato was bludgeoned to death in his home. Local authorities claim his death had nothing to do with his sexual orientation.
Oct. 17
Frida Kahlo
Artist
b. July 6, 1907
d. July 13, 1954
“Painting completed my life.”
Frida Kahlo is a renowned Mexican painter, noted for her vibrant colors as well as nationalist and feminist themes. Her paintings have commanded higher prices than any other female artist.
Her genius as an artist went unrecognized until she was offered a show in New York. It was wildly successful and led to shows in Paris and other international cities.
Her work has been associated with surrealism, though Kahlo herself renounced the genre saying, “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”
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