From Silence to Celebration: the LGBTQIA+ history that cannot be ignored

Throughout June 2025, in celebration of Pride month, Gayther is running its Straight Talk campaign. Weekly media releases designed to highlight key aspects taking place around the world today. This release focuses on LGBTQIA+ history.

Today, many right-wing and conservative media influencers, especially those who ignore the truth, are spreading misinformation and lies about the community. Citing that more people are choosing to identify as LGBTQIA+ as a fad or some woke agenda, all of which is not true.

The LGBTQIA+ community has existed in some form for thousands of years, and many of those who today would have identified as part of the community have helped shape the world as we know it.

From Roman emperors and polyglots to entertainers and scientists, the LGBTQIA+ community has a long and proud history. A History that today is built on being the most diverse group on the planet made up of all countries, ethnicities, genders and people from all faiths, with some of the most recognisable and accomplished people in today's society identifying as part of the community.

"Though stigma still exists, it falls in comparison to the positive aspects of identifying as LGBTQIA+," says Peter Williams, co-founder of Gayther.

Historians and the media in some countries have long tried to eradicate the rainbow from history, trying to turn LGBT icons into conservative figures due to the exceptional contributions many have made throughout time. Love letters to same-sex partners, first-hand accounts, and even personal statements are often ignored or downplayed to drive the narrative.

The LGBTQIA+ history includes some of the greatest military leaders, such as Alexander the Great and the Italian polyglot Leonardo da Vinci, whose designs and artwork are still discussed today. LGBTQIA+ history is made up of thousands of brave trailblazers who refused to hide who they were, even though it had an impact on their lives, such as Peggie Ames, Harvey Milk, the Reverend Peter J Gomes, Marsha P Johnson, Ifti Nasim and Simon Tseko Nkoli, to name a few.

"There is no denying that, though the LGBTQIA+ history has had many lows, there have also been many highs throughout history, from being an integrated part of society to its notable people."

Throughout Pride Month, it is important for us all to celebrate and, at the same time, remind the world that the community and its members have been present for centuries, contributing to and shaping the modern world.

Since 2019, each year, Gayther has highlighted all the pioneers and trailblazers within the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as those who continue to advocate today. Learn more about these exceptional individuals and take pride in accepting all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, who they are attracted to, love or how they choose to identify (https://gayther.lgbt/community/pioneers-advocates/2025-pioneers/).

SOURCE
• 2025 Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality Index (https://gayther.lgbt/community/equality-index/)

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Gayther LGBT is one of the largest online resources of LGBTQIA+ information. Tools and guides designed to be fun and easy to use, all within a platform offering positive content intended to inform, showcase and connect the global community and its allies. Home to a wide range of free services, including hundreds of detailed LGBTQIA+ travel guides, fun and games, articles and a dedicated social network known as Gayther Affinity.

This release was published on openPR.