Equality Forum

Ocean Vuong – October 29

“Being q***r saved my life … it made me curious; it made me ask, ‘Is this enough for me?’”

Ocean Vuong is a Vietnamese American novelist, poet, and professor whose work explores themes of LGBTQ identity, trauma, and the immigrant experience.

https://www.lgbthistorymonth.com

Arthur Tress – October 27

“Photography is my method for defining the confusing world that rushes constantly toward me.”

Arthur Tress is a gay American photographer renowned for his diverse body of work, which encompasses surrealism and ho******ic fantasy. He was one of the first artists of the 1970s to diverge from documentary street photography to create staged, dreamlike images.

https://www.lgbthistorymonth.com

Harper Steele – October 25

“[T]here isn’t a trans person I’ve met who doesn’t have a sense of humor about themselves.”

Harper Steele is a comedy writer best known for her work on “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”). After coming out as a transgender woman, she brought attention to trans-related issues in the acclaimed documentary “Will & Harper,” co-starring the comedian Will Ferrell.

https://www.lgbthistorymonth.com

Ann Philbin – October 23

“Humans need culture—not just art but the whole network of experiences that link us to one another.”

Ann Philbin is an acclaimed American museum director and AIDS activist. She led the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles for 25 years, growing it from a small local gallery into a vibrant international center for contemporary art.

https://www.lgbthistorymonth.com

Ted Osius – October 22

“There are some who think diplomacy is about money and power. It’s not. It’s about relationships.” very strongly about making peace and love in the world.”

Theodore George (Ted) Osius III is one of the first openly gay U.S. ambassadors and a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in international diplomacy. His distinguished career has significantly shaped U.S. relations in Asia, particularly with Vietnam. He is fluent in four languages, including Vietnamese.

https://www.lgbthistorymonth.com