8 LGBTQ+ pioneers this year

Michaela Jae “Mj” Rodriguez, star of “Pose,” became the first trans actor to receive a Golden Globe Award in January.

At this year’s Golden Globes, which were not aired, Rodriguez defeated Jennifer Aniston, Uzo Aduba, Elizabeth Moss, and Christine Baranski to win the award for best actress in a television drama. She earned the award for her portrayal in the Emmy-winning series “Pose,” whose last season premiered last summer.

In February, Dutch speed skater Ireen Wüst became the first athlete in history to win an individual gold medal at five different Olympic Games. She is also the most decorated out athlete in history.

Since her first Olympic competition in 2006, bisexual Wüst has amassed a total of 12 medals, including six gold. She is the oldest speed skater to win a gold medal at 35 years old.

Ariana DeBose was the first openly lesbian woman of color and the first Afro-Latina actress to receive a SAG Award for acting in March.

In “West Side Story,” DeBose earned the award for best supporting actress for her role as Anita.

According to NBC News, DeBose told reporters backstage in the virtual SAG media room that her win indicates that doors are opening. “It’s an honor to be an Afro-Latina lesbian woman of color who is also a dancer, a singer, and an actor.”

Lia Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA championship in March when she won the 500-yard freestyle swimming event at the NCAA Championships.

Thomas participated on the University of Pennsylvania men’s swimming team for three years before transitioning, taking hormone therapy, and transferring to the women’s squad in 2020. Insider’s Meredith Cash and Will Martin stated that she has since broken several national women’s swimming records in the United States, including the 200-meter and 500-meter freestyle records at the Zippy Invitational Event in Akron, Ohio in December.

As the first openly gay actor of color and the first Afro-Latina actress to win an Oscar, DeBose once again created history.

In “West Side Story,” DeBose earned the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance as Anita.

“Imagine this young girl sitting in the rear of a white Ford Focus. When you look into her eyes, you see an out-and-proud Afro-Latina lesbian who discovered her strength through art. And I believe that’s what we’re here to celebrate “DeBose stated during her acceptance address. “There is absolutely a place for us,” I assure everybody who has ever, ever, ever questioned their identity or found themselves living in the grey areas.

In May, Karine Jean-Pierre became the first Black, openly LGBTQ+, and immigrant to serve as press secretary of the White House.

Jean-Pierre acknowledged the historic importance of her position on her first day on the job and hailed “generations of barrier-breaking people” for paving the road for her, according to Insider’s Nicole Gaudiano and Oma Seddiq.

“I am well aware that my presence at this platform symbolizes a number of firsts. I am the first person of color, homosexuality, and immigration status to hold this job “She stated, “I would not be here if not for generations of people who have broken down barriers before me. However, I gain from their sacrifices. I am indebted to their excellence for the lessons it has taught me.”

By writing and starring in the revolutionary romantic comedy “Bros,” Billy Eichner became the first openly homosexual male to write and appear in a major studio film.

According to IMDB, “Bros” is the first big studio rom-com about homosexual males and also the first major studio picture with an LGBTQ lead cast playing straight roles.

“I’m still waiting for someone from the studio to phone me and tell me, “You’ve gone too far.” But it never happened, “Eichner told Variety. “I also appreciated the fact that some of this information will be eye-opening for certain audience members. I was like, ‘Great! Let’s surprise everybody. Let’s surprise them.’ Sacha Baron Cohen is unconcerned, so why should I be?”

The premiere of “Bros” was on September 30.

For the first time in U.S. history, two openly LGBTQ+ candidates are competing against each other in a congressional election.

In November, openly homosexual candidates Robert Zimmerman (Democrat) and George Santos (Republican) will vie for New York’s 3rd congressional district. The Hill said that the nature of the contest is already historic, and whoever wins will be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent a New York district.