This month we are celebrating Pride and in doing so, honoring the LGBTQ+ community’s rich history, diverse culture, and commitment to human rights. We’re also reflecting on three incredible individuals whose cultural contributions helped chart a course for a more inclusive world.
Although they came from diverse backgrounds and vocations, each was a trailblazer in their own right, providing meaningful support to the LGBTQ+ movement during its early years and throughout their lives. Their remarkable courage to live authentically helped to ignite a cultural movement that has positively impacted so many lives.
Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey’s artistic vision as a dancer and choreographer transcended boundaries and altered the landscape of American modern dance culture. Born in 1931 to humble beginnings in rural Texas, Ailey’s foray into the arts began after a move to Los Angeles. There he was introduced to the world of ballet, modern dance, and acting. After training with modern dance guru Lester Horton in 1949, Ailey’s unique vision began to take shape.
Throughout his life, and especially growing up as an African American child in the Jim Crow South, Ailey faced many challenges. Yet he managed to channel his struggles into groundbreaking choreography, exploring themes of identity, community, and resilience. Via movement, he created a space for LGBTQ+ audiences and performers, with a new form of expression and representation. Ailey’s work fused theater, modern dance, ballet, and jazz with the African American experience, creating explosive and emotionally-charged experiences. His best known piece, Revelations, is recognized as one of the most enduring modern ballets of the late 20th century.
Ailey’s Impact
Ailey’s company, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, was founded in 1958 when he was just twenty-seven years old. Known for its inclusivity, his company provided a space where artists of diverse backgrounds could be their true selves. By living openly and embracing his identity, Ailey inspired many within the community to do the same, showcasing art as a powerful vehicle for social change and acceptance. His groundbreaking work encouraged diversity and inclusion long before these values became mainstream in the arts community.
Ailey’s legacy lives on through the professional company he founded, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, which supports community programming. Since its inception in 1962, the Foundation has made dance accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds through its robust educational programs. The Ailey organization’s dedication to community and arts education embodies Ailey’s belief in dance as a powerful tool for social change and personal growth.
Billie Jean King
During a time when most women in professional sports were all but invisible, Billie Jean King rose to fame with her powerful backhand and larger than life tennis game. Arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time, King used her platform to advocate for equality not only in sports, but as a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, working tirelessly to promote inclusivity and fight discrimination.
As a former world no. 1 tennis player, King won thirty-nine Grand Slam titles and was a member of the victorious United States team across multiple tournaments. King was also the founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation. In 1973, at the age of twenty-nine, she famously won the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against the fifty-five year-old Bobby Riggs, solidifying her reputation not only as an athlete but as a champion of women’s rights.
King’s Court
Off the court, King has long campaigned for equal rights and social justice. As one of the first major sports figures to openly identify as gay, King’s brave disclosure was a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ representation in sports. In the 1980’s, King further solidified her reputation when she was inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame and the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Throughout her storied career, King chose to live authentically, helping to pave the way for future generations of athletes. Through her advocacy, King has supported numerous initiatives and organizations aimed at securing equal rights and opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals. Her legacy is a testament to the power of courage, inspiring others to stand up for their rights and live proudly. As she famously said, “Don’t let anyone define you. You define yourself.”
Marlo Thomas
You may remember Marlo Thomas from her role as Ann Marie in the TV sitcom “That Girl,” which aired in the late sixties, or her nostalgic children’s record “Free to Be, You and Me”, which featured songs and stories by celebrities and promoted gender neutrality and individuality. Iconic for its time, in 2021 the album was deemed “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry.
Thomas’ Legacy
In addition to her acting and entertainment career, Marlo Thomas has devoted much of her life as a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for social causes. As the face of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity founded by her father, she helped to raise millions of dollars for cancer research and treatment. Beyond her work with St. Jude, Thomas is known for her activism in support of women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights, using her platform to promote equality and justice for all.
Over the years, Thomas has been celebrated with Emmys, a Golden Globe Award, and was even awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014 for her contributions to entertainment and philanthropy.
As we celebrate this year’s Pride, we can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come. The impact of the cultural champions of the LGBTQ+ movement cannot be understated. Through their unique contributions to the arts, sports, and entertainment, they helped to usher in a new era of inclusivity and acceptance. By creating a space to be their true selves, these game-changers paved the way for others to do the same.