For LGBTQIA+ History Month we want to celebrate disabled LGBTQIA+ activists from throughout history. With 17% of young LGBTQIA+ people being disabled (LGBT Youth Scotland), the stories of inspirational disabled people who challenged prejudice and stereotypes deserve to be heard.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo was a painter from Mexico known for her self portraits and work inspired by nature and Mexico.
She had polio and following a car accident, pelvic damage and lifelong pain. Much of Frida’s art depicts her disabilities, including Broken Column (1944) and Self-Portrait with the Portrait of Doctor Farill (1951).
Edith Craig
Edith Craig was a theatre director, producer, costume designer and an early pioneer for the women’s suffrage movement in England.
She was a lesbian that lived in a ‘menage a trois’ with dramatist Christabel Marshall and artist Clare Atwood until her death. Edith had chronic rheumatism in her finger joints and this prevented her pursuing a career as a concert pianist.
Barbara Johnson
Barbara Johnson was a lawyer, politician, educator, and civil rights leader. She was the first black women to be elected to the Texas Senate in 1966 and the first black woman from the deep south to win a seat in the House of Representatives in 1972.
Barbara suffered from multiple sclerosis and passed away from pneumonia as a complication of leukaemia. Despite Barbara not publicly confirming her sexuality, her partner Nancy Earl was public knowledge.
Pat Parker
By Peterson Toscano's website, Fair use, Link
Pat Parker was a feminist lesbian poet and activist who suffered from breast cancer.
In a 1975 interview she famously said, “After my first relationship with a woman, I knew where I was going.”
She worked as a director for the Feminist Women’s Health Centre and was heavily involved in the Black Panther movement.
Bobbie Lea Bennett 
Bobbie Lea Bennett was a wheelchair user from Louisiana.
She obtained gender affirmation surgery in 1978 and was told it would be covered by Medicare’s social security disability benefits program, however, her payment was denied. Following this she protested the officials and later received a $4,600 payment. Bobbie went on to be an influential person in activism for transgender and disabled person.
Lord Byron
Lord Byron was a popular, influential English romantic poet.
He was bisexual and had a foot deformity all his life.
Aaron Rose Phillip
Aaron Rose Phillip is a proud queer and trans women who was born with cerebral palsy, requiring her to use a wheelchair for mobility.
She was the first black, transgender and physically disabled model to be represented by a major modelling agency. Aaron has built a strong network for disabled people in fashion.
Lady Francesca
Lady Francesca is one of the members of drag collective, Drag Syndrome. She and other members deliver performances to show audiences how creative, versatile, hard-working and professional people with down syndrome can be.
The Drag Collective have performed at events on BBC, CBC and other news outlets.
These incredible figures have played a significant role in activism, and we hope they inspire you to be as confident in your disability, gender and sexual identity. Remember, acceptance isn't linear.