Lee Finch is an Animal Care Specialist at the Elk Grove Animal Shelter. He grew up in rural Tennessee and is a strong advocate for the members of the queer community living in the South. As an undergrad at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, he taught transgender competency to medical students and received the Inclusive Campus Commitment Award for his dedication to advocating for his fellow queer students. Lee volunteers for A Seat at the Table Community Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to literacy, inclusivity, and community building in Elk Grove.

(1937 - Present)

Actor, author, and activist

An American actor, author, and activist, best known for his role as helmsman Lieutenant Sulu on Star Trek, Takei is an outspoken figure for gay rights. He has been a staunch and vocal advocate for equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community and the rights of immigrants.

Takei was born in 1937 in Los Angeles, his mother was a Sacramento Native and his father emigrated from Japan as a child. During World War II, Takei was interned with his family from ages four to eight. He also was a member of the board responsible for Los Angeles’ subway system and a founder of the Japanese American National Museum. Takei has been with his husband, Brad Altman, for nearly 40 years. They were one of the first same-sex couples to apply for a marriage license in West Hollywood and finally married in 2008.

(1995 - Present)

Elected American’s first all-LGBTQIA+ City Council

Ron Oden, elected in 2003, was the first openly gay, black Mayor in Palms Springs. Oden is also known as the first openly gay African American elected to lead a California City. Oden earlier served on the Palms Springs City Council. During his time as mayor, he focused on expanding the city’s diversity and made history in December 2017 when Palms Springs elected American’s first all-LGBTQIA+ City Council. Under his leadership, Palm Springs became a top tourist destination and continues to experience unprecedented growth.

(February 22, 1981 - Present)

Iraq War Veteran, activist

In 2009, Lt. Dan Choi publicly challenged Don't Ask, Don't Tell, a policy created in 1993 which prevented service members from being openly queer. In 2010, Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed by President Obama, officially ending in September 2011. More than 12,000 officers were discharged for refusing to hide their sexual orientation.

(February 18, 1934 - November 17, 1992)

"Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet"

A courageous writer and poet, Lorde's legacy of addressing injustices of race, sexism, gender, class, and homophobia have made her works essential feminist reading. Lorde's work garnered numerous accolades, including an American Book Award in 1989 for her essay collection A Burst of Light, and was appointed poet laureate of New York State in 1991.

(1994 - Present)

Bisexual, Muslim, LGBTQ activist

Hafsa Qureshi brings visibility to the intersection of LGBTQ individuals and, the Muslim community. Her activism focuses on raising awareness for queer people of faith. Her representation is inspirational in showing others it's possible to be true to yourself and your religion without having to choose a side.

(June 20, 1929 - September 12, 2017)

Gay-rights activist

When Edith Windsor's wife died, Windsor was denied a spousal exemption from federal estate taxes, an exemption available to married heterosexuals. Windsor subsequently became the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court of the United States case United States v. Windsor, citing "differential treatment", claiming the law was unconstitutional by not providing the same rights to those in same-sex marriages. The Supreme Court overturned the Defense of Marriage Act, and two years later, the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal nationwide.