Prominent LGBTQ Deaths in 2017

The global LGBTQ community lost many notable individuals during the year. Each of these individuals has played an important and visible role in creating an awareness, sensitivity, profile, and as an activist for human rights as they relate to minorities and sexual diversities. These individuals include fashion designers, entertainers, activists, journalists, business people, politicians and authors. They hail from Australia, China, France, Great Britain, Jamaica, Spain, Tunisia, and the United States.

Simply click on their names to read their fascinating biographies:

• Azzedine Alaia, Tunisia - fashion designer
• Gordon Aikman, Great Britain - MND activist
• Henry Badenhorst, Great Britain - co-founder of Gaydar.com
• Damian Baker, Great Britain - pop singer
• Gilbert Baker, United States - creator of the rainbow flag
• Pierre Berge, France - partner of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent
• David Delfin, Spain - fashion designer
• J. D. Disalvatore, United States - filmmaker
• Dean Eastmond, Great Britain - editor of HISKIND magazine
• Edward Flanagan, United States - first openly gay man elected state-wide (Vermont) in the country
• Michael Friedman, United States - theatre composer
• Ren Hang, China - photographer
• Gorden Kaye, Great Britain - actor
• Kate Millett, United States - feminist
• Ron Muncaster, Australia - fashion designer
• Jim Nabors, United States - singer
• Robert Osborne, United States - host, Turner Classic Movies
• Lil Peep, United States - emo rapper
• Dexter Pottinger, Jamaica - fashion designer
• Charles Shively, United States - activist/journalist
• Richard Smith, Great Britain - author
• Edith Windsor, United States - activist