History That's More Than 2-Dimensional.

Collection: LGBT Figures

Toregene Khatun (?-1246)

Empress of the Mongols

Although her tribe was destroyed and she was forced into an unwanted marriage, this indomitable woman came to run the world's largest empire - with a woman as her companion.

Vasilisa Vasilyevna (Russian Folktale)

The Gender-Nonconforming Heroine Who Kept the Tsar Guessing

When the Tsar became hellbent on nailing down her gender, this clever gender-nonconforming heroine kept him guessing to the end.

Sor Juana Inés de La Cruz (1651-1695)

The Phoenix of Mexico

This brilliant poet rose from illegitimacy and poverty to become one of the luminaries of her age - until she flew too close to the sun.

Isabelle Eberhardt (1877-1904)

The Undefinable Adventurer

This undefinable adventurer's life burnt bright but short: a wildcard of the Algerian revolution, she survived an assassination attempt by sabre, and died in a freak desert flood.

Catalina de Erauso (1585/92-1650)

The Lieutenant Nun

After escaping from a convent, this swashbuckler had the strength to chase her dreams: which were apparently to drink, fight, and womanize.

Julie d’Aubigny (1670-1707)

Princess of the Opera

Sword-slinging, opera-singing bisexual rock star of the 17th century - who burnt down a convent to romance a nun and had to be pardoned by the king of France TWICE.

Osh-Tisch (1854-1929)

Princess of Two Spirits

The last Crow nation baté (Two Spirit mystic) in history, she earned her name -- which means "Finds Them and Kills Them" -- by tirelessly fighting to preserve her way of life.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973)

The Mother of Rock 'n Roll

The godmother of rock and roll, this black bisexual singer fused gospel and pop to blaze her own way across the Jim Crow-era south.

Marsha P. Johnson (1944-1992)

Godmother of the Trans Civil Rights Movement

This cheery godmother of trans civil rights masked a dark past of abuse.

Marie Equi (1872-1952)

The Mom Who Broke Every Taboo She Could

Once upon a time, there was a lesbian Wild West abortion doctor. She once horsewhipped a guy in the face and was tossed in San Quentin Prison for sedition. To the surprise of no one, she lived in Portland.