25 Jun 05
Frankie Knuckles DJ, musical producer, remixer. Known as the "Father of House" Knuckles is credited with innovating this form of dance music while a DJ at The Warehouse in Chicago.
Knuckles also played stints at NYC's Better Days and Continental Baths. He has worked with artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Elton John.
David McAlmont (1967)
London, UK - singer/songwriter. First and foremost Out Black Gay personality in Britain, who has been out since his career began in 1990. Works include: two albums and several successful singles in the UK. He co-wrote the song Surrender sung by k.d. lang on the Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies soundtrack and covered Diamonds are Forever from an earlier Bond film. He is a positive role model to young black gays and lesbians in Britain.
Michelle Cliff (1946)
Writer. Jamaican author of "Claiming an Identity They Taught Me to Despise" and co-author of "Sinister Wisdom."
Fashanu, Justin (1959-1998)
Footballer. Nigerian born British soccer player who came out in the London tabloid "The Sun." [The soccer star committed suicide in May of 1998.
Howard Rollins (1950-1996)
Actor. Rollins performed in the movies "Ragtime," 1981, and "A Soldier's Story," 1984. He starred in the TV series "In the Heat of the Night." He was nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, 1981, role of Coalhouse Walker, "Ragtime;" Emmy nomination, Best Supporting Actor, 1982, "Another World." Rollins died of complications from lymphoma. He was 46 years old.
Baynard Rustin (1912 - 1987)
Although Bayard Rustin was one of the most important leaders of the American civil rights movement from the advent of its modern period in the 1950s until well into the 1980s, his name was seldom mentioned; he received comparatively little press or media attention, and others' names were usually much more readily associated with the movement than his was. His was a behind-the-scenes role that, for all its importance, never garnered Rustin the public acclaim he deserved. Rustin's homosexuality and early communist affiliation probably meant that the importance of his contribution to the civil rights and peace movements would never be acknowledged. However, fairness demands that the extent of Rustin's work receive a fair public reception.
For more than 50 years, Bayard Rustin was a strategist and activist in the struggle for human rights and economic justice. Born in 1912, he grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he excelled as a student, athlete and musician. While he never received his B.A., Rustin attended Wilberforce University, Cheyney State College, and the City College of New York. He earned money for tuition by working at odd jobs and singing with Josh White’s Carolinians.
As a gay man, relatively open for his time, Bayard Rustin experienced anti-gay prejudice in addition to racial discrimination. Because of his sexual orientation as well as his controversial political positions, he was often relegated to a behind-the-scenes role in various campaigns. Arrested in 1953 on a "morals charge," he lost his job at the FOR, but found work with another anti-war group, the War Resisters League.
In 1956, at Mr. Randolph’s request, he was granted temporary leave from his position to assist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the early days of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. His extensive background in the theory, strategies, and tactics of nonviolent direction action proved invaluable to Dr. King. More on this link.
RuPaul Charles
Entertainer. RuPaul Andre' Charles, six-foot-five black blonde drag queen who rose to the top of the dance charts as the "Supermodel of the World."
Bessie Smith (1894-1937)
Singer. Smith is regarded by many as the greatest blues singer in history. Her first recording, "Down Home Blues" (1924), sold a surprising 780,000 disks in less than six months. She once held off a Ku Klux Klan gang single-handedly.
Jaye Davidson
Actor. British actor with lead role in the film, "The Crying Game." Also starred in the movie, "Stargate", as Ra. More here.
