2. Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin fought for many social movements during his life, including gay rights, as he identified as a gay man. But he was a huge influence on the civil rights movement, starting with his help to organize Freedom Rides, which were bus trips to the South to protest desegregated transportation terminals, as well as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He was completely unafraid of who he was, and his influence helped shape Martin Luther King Jr.’s beliefs on non-violence and his leadership abilities.

Rustin didn’t let any slights or animosity towards him stop his fight, and throughout his life, his mission expanded to include many other issues. In the '70s and '80s, he went on many humanitarian missions to help refugees of places like Cambodia and Vietnam, and supported other international causes, like free and just elections in Central America and Africa. Also during the '80s, Rustin became a lot more open about his sexuality and supporting LGBT equal rights. This might’ve had something to do with him meeting and falling in love with Walter Naegle, who urged him to use his position and speak out. Ruskin went on to testify on behalf of the New York State’s Gay Rights Bill, and became involved with more gay rights organizations.