Welcome to the OutProud Community Role Models archive!
We have created this area so that queer and questioning youth can become aware of the wonderful contributions so many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals have made throughout history. We hope that by doing so, you can see that your life is one of unlimited potential, and that the dreams you may have set for yourself don't have to be set aside because of your sexual orientation.
Sure, you're probably aware that Ellen Degeneres is a lesbian, but did you know that Eleanor Roosevelt had a lady lover for many, many years? Elton John and Boy George bring their queerness to today's music scene, but did you know that some of the stars from your parents' and grandparents' time did, too -- Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copeland are monuments of American music, and they're gay.
Some people think that gay people are only white men in their 20s and 30s. If all you have to go by is what the media prints, it's easy to come to that conclusion. But there are gay men and lesbian women, bisexuals of both genders, and men who live as women and women who live as men - there is a wide richness and diversity of sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity. That's something we hope to make evident here, the wonderful breadth of our experience, a diversity that holds a place for each and every one of us, no matter who we may be.
Within the archive you will find a listing of many queer people (and more every week). A growing number will have biographies included, as well. But something we're particularly excited about is the essay project - you can add your own essays, written in your own words, about the people who have made a mark on your life, or those who you would like to learn more about. Take out a book from your local library and write about one of these people. Find out about how they have changed the world, and share what you learn with others. You, too, can touch people with the words you write, and help others to find more of themselves, too.
We hope to eventually have hundreds of people in our archives, people who have or are making a difference in this world. You can search on a variety of attributes, not because we want to label people in any particular way, but rather because whoever you are, we want you to be able to find a vision of yourself in there, someone you can identify with, someone who helps you know that you can be all you want to be.
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