2025 Icons

  1. Peter Anastos
  2. Walter Arlen
  3. Becca Balint
  4. Samuel Barber
  5. Andy Cohen
  6. John D’Emilio
  7. Colman Domingo
  8. Billie Eilish
  9. Cecilia Gentili
  10. Jeffrey Gibson
  11. Nikki Giovanni
  12. Lily Gladstone
  13. Mel Heifetz
  14. Sir Lady Java
  15. Ella Jenkins
  16. ABilly Jones-Hennin
  17. Ellsworth Kelly
  18. Karl Lagerfeld
  19. Troy Masters
  20. Sarah McBride
  21. T. J. Osborne
  22. Ted Osius
  23. Ann Philbin
  24. Chappell Roan
  25. Harper Steele
  26. Breanna Stewart
  27. Arthur Tress
  28. Cy Twombly
  29. Ocean Vuong
  30. Abby Wambach
  31. Lanford Wilson

Icon Selection

Click to Nominate LGBT History Month Icons for 2026

The deadline for submissions is Friday, December 19, 2025.

Selection Criteria

Each year, 31 LGBT Icons, living or dead, are selected for achievements in their field of endeavor, for their status as a national hero, or for their significant contribution to LGBT civil rights. Equality Forum solicits nominations from regional, state, national, and international organizations, activists, and the general public. 

See All the Icons

View the list of LGBT Icons from 2006 to the present with links to their videos, biographies, resources, and downloads. Please note that the 31 Icons for 2025 will be featured one each day, beginning October 1. The information for each 2025 Icon will not be available until the day they are honored.