Madonna and RuPaul among most influential LGBTQ+ figures shaping pop culture

As we celebrate Pride Month this June, we look back at some of the most important and inspiring LGBTQ+ icons throughout history - from Alan Turing and Freddie Mercury to Madonna and RuPaul

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Throughout history, LGBTQ+ trailblazers have been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of society and championing change – be it on stage, at protests, or tirelessly working behind the scenes.

This Pride Month, we're shining the spotlight on some of history's most remarkable LGBTQ+ figures who dared to be different and challenge the status quo.

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Renowned mathematician Alan Turing made history by cracking the Enigma code – an extraordinary feat that significantly shortened World War II and aided the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.

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Tragically, his heroic wartime efforts were overshadowed by Britain's strict anti-gay laws. In 1952, Turing faced arrest and conviction for his homosexuality, resulting in his untimely death at 41, believed to be by his own hand.

READ MORE:Trans activists install 'third toilet' on UK Supreme Court steps after controversial ruling

Turing's legacy endured, with a posthumous Royal pardon granted in 2013 and an extension of this pardon to thousands of men wrongly convicted under similar laws in 2017, a tribute now referred to as the "Alan Turing law." His iconic image now adorns the £50 banknote.

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Drag performer and passionate African American activist Marsha P. Johnson left an indelible mark on the fight for trans rights and LGBT+ equality in the 1960s and 1970s.

She fearlessly stood up against the authorities during the infamous Stonewall Inn raid in New York City in 1969, sparking the pivotal Stonewall Uprising that dramatically shifted the LGBT+ rights landscape. Johnson importantly co-founded activist groups, transforming into a key emblem of rebellion and representation for the trans and queer communities, with a particular resonance among people of colour.

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Acclaimed as Queen's charismatic frontman, Freddie Mercury reigns among rock music's elite vocalists, captivating audiences with his dynamic stage presence and extensive four-octave range. Yet, despite his exuberant stage identity, Mercury kept details of his sexuality away from public discourse.

Commencing in 1985, he settled into a profound partnership with Irish-born hairdresser Jim Hutton, who he fondly termed his husband. For Mercury, their bond was a sanctuary of comfort and comprehension, claiming he "honestly couldn't ask for better". From 1982, Mercury began to show signs of HIV/AIDS, which led to a confirmed AIDS diagnosis five years later.

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READ MORE:Pride Month: 5 things to know before you go to your first ever Pride event

Mercury maintained the privacy of his illness until a statement issued on November 23, 1991, shed light on his health situation. Just one night later, on November 24, Mercury succumbed to AIDS at 45, in his Kensington home.

Hutton, sharing Mercury's life in his final seven years, offered unwavering care through the affliction and stood by him as his life ebbed away. As of 2024, recognition of Mercury's enduring influence saw him crowned the UK's preeminent gay icon, according to a Durex survey.

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David Bowie secured his status as a gay idol with the daring creation of Ziggy Stardust – an enigmatic, sexually fluid extra-terrestrial rock sensation unveiled in 1972.

David Bowie, who was much more than just a musician, dared to defy the norms of his era by publicly embracing androgyny and championing queer visibility. His bold declaration in 1972, "I'm gay, and I always have been," coincided with the momentous first Gay Pride march in Britain.

Later, speaking candidly to Playboy, he revealed his bisexuality and mused on its effects on his success: "I've used that fact very well. I suppose it's the best thing that ever happened to me."

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Even though he eventually described himself as a "closet heterosexual," Bowie's earlier stance on sexuality and his performative ambiguity had an indelible effect on culture. Memorable moments like his flamboyant turn on Top of the Pops alongside Mick Ronson served as a beacon of expression for queer youths everywhere.

Bowie passed away at 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer, yet irrespective of how he identified, his legacy is one of unbridled authenticity that inspired others to embrace their identities with courage.

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Sir Elton John solidified his superstar status not only through his music — with over 300 million records sold worldwide — but also as a vanguard for LGBTQ+ representation.

He initially disclosed his bisexuality in a 1976 issue of Rolling Stone, then openly declared himself gay in 1992. Since 1993, John has shared his life with David Furnish; they became civil partners in 2005, shortly after the UK sanctioned such unions, and converted this to marriage in 2014 when the nation recognised same-sex marriages.

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Together, they are the proud parents of two sons, brought into their lives through surrogacy. In 2019, he was bestowed with the highest civilian honour in France, the Legion d'honneur, by President Emmanuel Macron himself, honoured as one of the earliest openly gay artists to champion LGBTQ+ rights.

Madonna has been a vocal and unyielding supporter of the LGBTQ+ community over the years. Renowned for her sexual liberation and non-conformity, she's been romantically linked to various women, including model Jenny Shimizu.

While she's never publicly acknowledged these affairs, she has admitted she's "slept with a good handful" of women and proclaimed in a 1991 interview with The Advocate that "everybody has a bisexual nature."

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Throughout her illustrious career, Madonna has continually dedicated performances and heartfelt tributes to the LGBTQ+ community, turning up unexpectedly at places like New York's Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, Manhattan - notable as the cradle of the modern gay rights movement. In 2018, she made an impassioned declaration: "I stand here proudly at the place where Pride began. Let us never forget the Stonewall riots."

RuPaul Charles, acclaimed host of RuPaul's Drag Race, stands as the undisputed "Queen of Drag" heralded for pioneering queer representation in entertainment.

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Since the debut of Drag Race UK in 2019, RuPaul's standing in Britain has escalated, propelling a fresh cohort of drag queens into the limelight, with luminaries such as The Vivienne, Tia Kofi, and Baga Chipz stealing the show.

Beyond his role as an entertainer, RuPaul has been a vocal advocate for voter registration, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community – a group that has historically seen lower turnout. He championed participation through a public service announcement tied to National Voter Registration Day, encouraging queer individuals to make their voices heard at the polling station.

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As the first drag artist to host a national chat show, RuPaul has blazed a trail for increased LGBTQ+ representation in the media. He continues to utilise his platform to highlight emerging talent and tackle crucial issues such as gender equality and racial justice.

In acknowledgement of his influence, he was honoured with the Vito Russo Award at the GLAAD Media Awards in 1999.

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