5 Historical figures that were LGBTQ LGBTQ historical figures tend to be straight-washed in history books but we have 5 historic figures you may have not known were queer.
by Obakeng Pholo
08-11-2022 17:53
in LGBTQIA
Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement. Photo:Wikipedia
These 5 historical figures many historians believe were part of the LGBTQ community from Leonardo da Vinci to Malcolm X, their past history shows some type of leaning away from heteronormativity.
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Here are the 5 historical figures who were considered to be part of the LGBTQ community:
Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci who was a painter, inventor, and intellectual of the High Renaissance in the late 1400s and early 1500s.
He is also known for his great art, historians in the past didn't address his sexuality.
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A recent biography by Walter Isaacson describes Leonardo da Vinci as: illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, easily distracted, and at times heretical.
Unlike in the past when it was believed that da Vinci was bisexual.
ALSO READ: The only openly transgender billionaire in the WORLD
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Malcolm X Malcolm X is one of the greatest human rights activists in history, he was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement.
He grew the Nation of Islam from 400 in 1952 to 40,000 by 1960 before he was assisnated in 1965.
In an article on An Injustice, they said about Malcolm X and his life most history books stop there, neglecting to mention his sexuality. That's why most Americans have no idea that historical research has revealed that he was most likely bisexual
William Shakespeare William Shakespeare is the greatest writer in the English language, he was a playwright, poet and actor.
Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays and 154 sonnets, his work has been translated in over 50 languages.
In an article titled Sir Ian McKellen says no doubt Shakespeare was gay in Pink News UK Sir Ian McKellen says:
I'd say Shakespeare slept with men. The Merchant of Venice, centring on how the world treats gays as well as Jews, has a love triangle between an older man, younger man and a woman.
Sir Ian McKellen William Shakespeare is known as the greatest writer in the English language, he was a playwright, poet and actor. Photo: Pixabay ALSO READ: Queer Parents! Celebrity parents waving the LGBTQ flag in Mzansi
Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt was the longest-serving First Lady, she was a politician and activist who later served as a United Nations.
She was also an advocate of the rights and needs of the poor, of minorities, and of the disadvantaged.
Eleanor has a daily syndicated column called My Day that started in 1935 until her death in 1962.
It is said that historians who have closely studied her life believe she may have been a lesbian, using her marriage with FDR to maintain her clean image. Documented in the most detail is her long-term romantic relationship with journalist Lorena Hickok.
Angela Davis Angela Davis is the only living historic figure on this list, she is a political activist, philosopher, academic, and author.
Davis is a feminist and a Marxist, she was a longtime member of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA).
Angela Yvonne Davis is an American political activist, philosopher, academic, scholar, and author. Photo: Wikipedia It is reported that she came out as a lesbian to Out magazine in an interview and by 2020, Davis was living openly with her partner, the academic Gina Dent a fellow humanities scholar
Lisbet Tellefsen who is an activist in her own right says:
The glaring spotlight on her public life was contrasted by the privacy in which she conducted her private life - and we understood. While we could and often did debate what exactly constituted her public coming out, her unwavering and vocal support for LGBTQ rights was always visceral and crystal clear.
ALSO READ: Feminine Lotus': Writer Raymond Motadi on his queer short film
If you have any queer stories to share send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211
ENTER The South African Queer survey 2022 & stand a chance to win R5 000!
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5 Historical figures that were LGBTQ LGBTQ historical figures tend to be straight-washed in history books but we have 5 historic figures you may have not known were queer. 
