This year, the theme for International Women’s Day (IWD 2025) is “action.” Nonprofit organizations This year, behind the writing of Creation that day emphasizes “the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality.”
In light of that, we decided to see 12 LGBTQ+ women in history. History has taken bold and brave steps to live their lives the way they wished, and refused to resist themselves from prejudice and misogyny.
From the Sword Sisters of the 17th Century to the Movie Stars and Activists of the 20th Century, here are some of our favorite strange pioneers.
1. Julie Doubigny (1670 – 1707)
Where does Julie start? The opera singer of this 17th century sword sister, better known as Mademoiselle Maupin or La Maupin, became involved with young women.
To regain her lover, she entered the monastery, stole the body of a dead nun, and put it in her lover’s bed, burning the room so that they could escape together.
What a woman.
2. Llangollen Women (1739-1829, 1755-1831)
Llangollen women, Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, were two upper class Irish women who lived together in Llangollen, Wales, and who fascinated their relationship with scandal.
Some consider Butler and Ponsonby’s relationship to be a Boston marriage or a romantic relationship between two women who choose to live together and have a “marriage-like relationship.”
3. Anne Lister (1791 – 1840)
Anne Lister was a landowner, deerist, climber and traveler, and kept a diary documenting her life, including her lesbian relationships.
However, LGBTQ+ information is written in code derived from the combination of algebra and ancient Greek.
She was associated with a wealthy heir called Anne Walker.
4. Jane Adams (1860-1935)
Jane Adams was a pioneer in the American campaign. She was also an activist, social worker, public philosopher and author, and was involved with several women throughout her life.
Most importantly, Adams was in a relationship with Mary Rosett Smith, and according to historian Lillian Faderman, she wrote Mary as “My eternal dear,” “darling,” and “love.”
The couple were together for 40 years and constantly wrote letters to each other when they were apart. “I’m scared of you and missed you, and read one letter from Adams to Smith, “until death.”
5. Virginia Wolf (1882 – 1941)
The bisexuality of writer Virginia Woolf is quite difficult to discuss. She was associated with fellow writer Viter Sackville West (who will go to her later) in the early 20s.
In a letter to Vita, Virginia told her sister Nessa that she was telling her sister, Nessa about their events, where she wrote: “But do you really like sleeping with women?” she said – which made her change. “And how did you do it?” And she bought some pills and took her abroad, and spoke loudly like a parrot. ”
6. Eleno Arroes Belt (1884 – 1962)
Eleanor Roosevelt was known to have been allowed to have a relationship by her lost husband – and she chose reporter Lorena “Hic” Hickcock.
After Eleanor’s death, a series of letters were excavated. Although most were destroyed by the Roosevelt family, one letter read, “I want to put my arms around you and kiss you in the corner of your mouth.”
In another 1933 letter, Eleanor wrote: I hurt you to bring you closer… your ring is a great comfort for me. I see it and think she loves me or I’m not wearing it. ”
7. Mercedes de Acosta (1893 – 1968)
American poet, playwright and novelist Mercedes de Acosta was not famous for her writing, but for many lesbian issues with Hollywood stars.
She is probably best known for her long-term romance with Greta Garbo and was also involved in Russian ballerina Tamara Karsavina.
8. Ara Nazimova (1879 – 1945)
It was believed that actress Ara Najimova came up with the phrase “sewing circle” as the code name for her and her fellow lesbian or bisexual Hollywood actresses.
She was openly associated with women and her Sunset Boulevard Mansion was believed to be a rather exciting party home.
9. Oudre Lorde (1934 – 1992)
Audre Lorde, an African-American writer, is also a civil rights activist who said, “Our people outside the circle of acceptable definitions of women in this society. We forged on the cross of differences — poor people, lesbians, black people, and older, know that survival is not an academic skill.
“It’s learning how to take our differences and make them a strength. The Master’s tool will not demolish the Master’s home.
“They may allow us to temporarily beat him in his own game, but they never allow us to make a real change, and this fact is only threatening to women who still define the Master’s House as their sole source of support.”
10. Ruth Ellis (1899 – 2000)
Ruth Ellis is an African American woman and an LGBTQ+ rights activist who came out when she was 16 years old.
In the 1920s she met her 30-year partner, Cecillyn “Baby” Franklin, and her Detroit home became a shelter for African-American LGBTQ+ people.
11. Marion Barbara “Joe” Carstairs (1900-193)
A wealthy British power boat racer, Marion Barbara “Joe” Carstairs, often dressed and tattooed men, loved adventure and speed.
She was openly gay and had many issues with women, including Dolly Wilde (Oscar Wilde’s nie), Greta Garbo, Tallurer Bankhead and Marlene Dietrich.
12. Gladys Bentley (1907-1960)
Gladys Bentley was an American blues singer, pianist and entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance, and is a key figure for the LGBTQ+ community and African Americans.
She was backed up to the Drag Queens chorus line, and she was dressed in boys’ clothing as she played the piano and sang in a deep groaning voice as she flirted with the women in the audience. Gladys Bentley and all the other women on this list helped push things forward for women and LGBTQ+ rights when it was expected that women would fit the expectations of men.
Source: PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news – www.thepinknews.com
