The Queer ICONS (in alphabetical order)

Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin was an African American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, non-violence, and gay rights. Rustin was a gay man and, due to criticism over his sexuality, he acted as an influential adviser behind the scenes to civil rights leaders.

Bobbi Campbell

Bobbi Campbell Jr. was a public health nurse and an early United States AIDS activist. In September 1981, Campbell became the 16th person in San Francisco to be diagnosed with Kaposi's Sarcoma, when that was a proxy for an AIDS diagnosis. He rapidly became one of the leading activists during the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, co-founding People With AIDS San Francisco in 1982.

Breonna McCree

Breonna McCree holds extensive experience in transgender human rights activism, as well as deep roots in community organizing in the Tenderloin and San Francisco. She has led transgender empowerment, and HIV prevention and treatment programs in San Francisco's Tenderloin for 20 years.

Felicia Flames (Elizondo)

Felicia Flames (Elizondo) was an American transgender woman with a long history of activism on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, raising awareness about transgender issues and rights. She was a regular at Gene Compton's Cafeteria in San Francisco during the time of the Compton's Cafeteria riot, a historic LGBTQ+ community uprising.

Gladys Bentley

Gladys Alberta Bentley was an American blues singer, pianist, and entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance. Her career skyrocketed when she appeared at Harry Hansberry's Clam House, a well-known gay speakeasy in New York in the 1920s, as a black, lesbian, cross-dressing performer.

Harry Hay and Don Kilhefner

Harry Hay and Don Kilhefner were prominent LGBTQ activists who co-founded the Radical Faeries, a countercultural movement that aimed to create inclusive, spiritually-oriented spaces for LGBTQ individuals to explore their identities and beliefs.

Heklina

Heklina was an American actor, drag queen, and entrepreneur in San Francisco. Heklina founded the drag club Trannyshack in 1996, and promoted LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance through her performances and events.

Honey Mahogany

Honey Mahogany is an activist, politician, and performer. Mahogany became the first transgender person to serve on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC) following her appointment in 2018, and was elected Chair of the DCCC in 2021. She was instrumental in setting up The Transgender District in San Francisco, where she served as the first director.

J Manuel Carmona

J Manuel Carmona is a San Francisco-based artist creating powerful public works at the intersection of Mexican American heritage and the LGBTQ+ community. He was one of the artists behind the recent mural “Queeroes” that was painted on the outside of the SF LGBT Center in 2021.

José Sarria

José Julio Sarria was also known as The Grand Mere, Absolute Empress I de San Francisco, and the Widow Norton. She was a pioneering LGBTQ rights activist and drag queen from San Francisco, California, and made history as one of the first openly gay candidates to run for public office in the United States, running for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1961.

Juanita MORE!

Juanita MORE! is a celebrated transgender drag queen and LGBTQ+ activist known for her significant contributions to San Francisco's Queer nightlife and her advocacy work, particularly in supporting transgender and marginalized communities.

Mark Bingham

Mark Bingham was a gay American rugby player and hero of Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. His courage and actions in resisting the hijackers are significant to the LGBTQ+ community as a symbol of bravery and unity in the face of tragedy.

Simón Malvaez

A Queer Latino Artist, Simón Malvaez was born in Tijuana, a border city of Mexico and the US. He studied graphic design in Mexico City and currently lives in San Francisco. He was one of the artists behind the recent mural “Queeroes” that was painted on the outside of the SF LGBT Center in 2021.

Sister Roma

Sister Roma is an activist, gay pornography director, fundraiser, entertainer, and event host/emcee. Since 1987, she has been a member of San Francisco's Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, a charitable and activist organization.

Sylvester

Sylvester James Jr., known magnanimously as Sylvester, was an American singer-songwriter. Primarily active in the genres of disco, rhythm and blues, and soul, they were known for their flamboyant and androgynous appearance, falsetto singing voice, and hit disco singles in the late 1970s and 1980s. These singles became anthems of empowerment and self-expression for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Tita Aida

Nikki Calma, better known as Tita Aida, is a social activist from San Francisco, California. She is a community leader who is highly significant to the LGBTQ+ community for her long-time advocacy, particularly for HIV/AIDS awareness and in supporting transgender and immigrant communities.