SAPPHO-(630 B.C.-?) Historically known as the greatest female poet of the classical world who lived during the Lyrical Age of Greece. She lived on the island of Lesbos (that's where the modern term "lesbian" comes from) off the coast of Asia Minor. She was an aristocratic woman who had a circle of female friends who she sang to with her lyre. She also performed at public functions. Plato later called her "The Tenth Muse." A collection of her poems were held at a library in Alexandria until they were systemically destroyed by Christian censors. Today all that remains of her work is a piece of one poem. In modern times, she became a symbol of lesbianism.

MICHELANGELO-(1475-1564) Born in Caprese, Italy, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni is more commonly known as Michelangelo. He was a Renaissance artist, sculptor and poet. He's famous for creating the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as well as The Last Judgment over the altar. He also sculpted David and La Pieta and designed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Few artists have displayed  appreciation to the detail of the male form like he did. He was known to have many love affairs with the beautiful models who posed for him.

OSCAR WILDE-(1854-1900) Born Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, we all know him as the incomparable playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer Oscar Wilde. He was one of the most successful playwrights of late Victorian London and by far one of the greatest celebrities of his day. He was known for his clever wit and outrageous public behavior. He suffered a dramatic downfall and was imprisoned after being convicted in a famous trial for "gross indecency" (homosexual acts).

GERTRUDE STEIN-(1874-1946) American writer, poet, feminist, playwright and catalyst in the development of modern art and literature. She spent most of her life in France. One of her most famous quotes was "...a rose, is a rose, is a rose." She reached the height of her fame after the publication of the book The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.

SYLVIA RIVERA-(1951-2002) Transgender activist and veteran of the Stonewall Riots, the protest against homophobic abuse that launched the modern gay rights movement. Some credit her with being the the first to strike back at the the police and spark the riots.  She was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance and helped found STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), a group dedicated to helping the homeless young street queens.  

ELLEN DEGENERES-(1958-) American actress and stand-up comedian and most recently the host of the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show.  She is most known for her very public coming out experience on her ABC show Ellen and appearing on the front cover of Time Magazine with the caption, "Yep, I'm Gay."