October is GLBT History Month

October 26, 3:15 PMFort Worth LGBT Events ExaminerBonnie Norman

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Fort Worth LGBT Events Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Beginning in 1994 and now hosted by the Equality Forum, GLBT History Month is celebrated every October, featuring 31 GLBT icons living and dead. Focusing on their achievements and contributions to the GLBT community, each day we learn a little bit more about the history and courage of those who have gone before us. With such well known figures as Suze Orman and Rachel Maddow, this year's GLBT History Month also features three hometown heroes from our own state of Texas.

Alvin Ailey Jr. was born in Rogers, TX in 1931. He went on to become an internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer. In 1957 he founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 1979, Ailey received the Springarn Medal for outstanding achievement from the NAACP and in 1988, he was recognized with a Kennedy Center Honors Award. Ailey died at age 58 from complications of AIDS in New York City. A section of West 61st Street in New York was named “Alvin Ailey Way” in his memory.

Robert Rauschenberg was born in Port Arthur, TX in 1925. He was an influential artist who's work paved the way for the modern Pop Art movement. In 1964, Rauschenberg was the first American artist to win the Grand Prize at the Venice Biennale, a major contemporary arts exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice, Italy. Rauschenberg won a Grammy Award in 1984 for his design of the Talking Heads’ “Speaking in Tongues” album cover. After his death in May, 2008, the Guggenheim Museum presented its largest exhibition ever with 400 works by Rauschenberg, showcasing his prolific talent and profound impact on 20th century art, running from October 22, 2008 to November 5, 2008.

And finally, Todd Oldham, fashion designer and philanthropist, was born in Corpus Christi, TX in 1961. With fashion sales under his belt to big names such as Neiman Marcus and Escada, he went on to take over as creative director of Old Navy in 2007. Old Navy saw their first sales increase in years after Oldham's first quarter there. Today, Todd Oldham serves as a mentor for Bravo's television show "Top Design" , writes design and style books, and serves on several charity boards, including Bailey House, the oldest housing program for people with HIV/AIDS.

These three sons of Texas truly represent some of the best our state has to offer, and it is an honor for them to be spotlighted by the GLBT History Month organization. Head over to their website and check out each icon for October, and don't forget to donate to their cause. Equality Forum provides education, advocacy, and important figures to look up to for the GLBT community.

For More Info: Visit GLBT History Month or Equality Forum.

(Bios, photo, and video provided by GLBT History Month.)