As Black History Month 2025 begins, it’s time to shine a light on the extraordinary contributions of queer Black trailblazers past and present whose voices, courage, and creativity have shaped culture and progress. This year, we celebrate those who stood proud in their identities and changed the world in the process.

Jackie McCarthy O’Brien
A true sporting icon, Jackie McCarthy O’Brien made history as the first person of colour to play for the Republic of Ireland senior women’s football team, debuting in 1983 and earning 13 international caps. She also represented Ireland in rugby, becoming the first mixed-race player to do so. McCarthy O’Brien’s achievements broke barriers in both sports and representation, paving the way for future generations of athletes of colour and queer sportspeople.

Joan Jett Blakk
A queer Black trailblazer with a rebel energy, Joan Jett Blakk became the first-ever drag queen to run for US president. “Lick Bush in ’92” was the unforgettable slogan of Joan Jett Blakk, the drag persona of Terence Alan Smith, who famously ran for US president as part of the Queer Nation Party. Born in Detroit and rising through Chicago’s drag scene, Blakk’s campaign was both political theatre and powerful activism, a call for visibility, equality, and unapologetic queerness in politics.

Marsha P. Johnson
One of the most celebrated figures in LGBTQ+ history, Marsha P. Johnson was a Black trans woman whose activism during and after the Stonewall Riots of 1969 ignited a movement. As co-founder of the Gay Liberation Front and the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), Johnson dedicated her life to supporting marginalised communities, particularly trans and homeless youth. Her compassion and courage remain a beacon of hope and defiance.

James Baldwin
A master of words and truth, writer and activist James Baldwin gave voice to the complexities of race, sexuality, and identity in mid-20th-century America. Through works like Giovanni’s Room and The Fire Next Time, Baldwin illuminated the intersections of Blackness and queerness with unmatched power. His legacy endures as one of literature’s most fearless voices against injustice.

Gladys Bentley
During the Harlem Renaissance, Gladys Bentley broke every rule of gender and performance. Known for her powerful blues voice and tailored tuxedos, she captivated audiences in the 1920s and 30s with her bold, queer presence. Bentley’s artistry and defiance made her a pioneer of both Black and LGBTQ+ expression.

Willi Ninja
Known as the “Godfather of Voguing,” Willi Ninja revolutionised dance and queer culture. Emerging from New York’s ballroom scene in the 1980s, Ninja’s sharp, elegant moves and advocacy brought voguing, and the struggles and beauty of Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities into the global spotlight. His influence continues to shape fashion, dance, and popular culture today.

Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson
A trailblazing author and activist, Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson (1875–1935) was among the first generation of African Americans born free in the South. Through her writing and activism with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), she fought against racial injustice, misogyny, and inequality. Her work, including Violets and Other Tales, celebrates the resilience and creativity of Black women and queer voices in early American literature.

Langston Hughes
Poet, playwright, and Harlem Renaissance luminary Langston Hughes used rhythm, jazz, and emotion to capture the Black experience. Often believed to be queer, Hughes infused his poetry with coded reflections on identity and desire. His commitment to depicting working-class Black life made him a voice of authenticity, pride, and liberation.

Audre Lorde
A self-described “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Audre Lorde redefined feminism and social justice through her writing. Her works, including Sister Outsider, confront racism, sexism, and homophobia, advocating for intersectional liberation. Lorde’s fierce intellect and unwavering activism continue to guide movements for equality worldwide.

Pat Parker
A powerful poet and activist, Pat Parker used her words to confront violence, injustice, and inequality. Through works like Movement in Black and Child of Myself, Parker chronicled her journey as a Black lesbian woman, transforming personal pain into collective power. Her work remains vital to both queer and feminist literature.

Angela Davis
Professor Angela Davis stands as one of the most influential thinkers of our time. A revolutionary scholar and activist, Davis has spent decades advocating for prison reform, racial justice, women’s liberation, and queer rights. Since coming out publicly in the 1990s, she has continued to inspire global movements for equality through her writing and lectures.

Yasmin Finney
One of today’s brightest young stars, Yasmin Finney, represents a new era of visibility for Black trans people. Best known for her role as Elle Argent in Netflix’s Heartstopper and as Rose Noble in Doctor Who, Finney uses her platform to advocate for trans rights and representation in media. Her presence marks a historic shift in British television, one where young queer people can finally see themselves reflected on screen.

This Black History Month 2025, we honour these trailblazing athletes, artists, thinkers, and activists who refused to be silenced. Their lives remind us that Black history and queer history are forever intertwined, both rooted in the struggle for freedom, dignity, and joy.

Did you know we have a team of wonderful runners taking part in this year’s Dublin Marathon and raising funds for GCN? You can support our athletes at this link.