Monday Meme: Memorial Meme Madness!

So many LGBTQ folks with May birthdays, so little meme time. This month is so jam-packed with pioneers, icons and trailblazers we hardly know where to begin in our Monday Meme endeavors!  But to start we’re honoring poet Countee Cullen who was born on May 30, 1903. Although overshadowed by some of his contemporaries like Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes, Cullen is still a major player in Harlem Renaissance story and considered a member of that era’s “gay elite.” Cullen’s impressive catalog of poems chronicles everything from race to politics to religion to relationships, like in “Song In Spite of Myself”
used in today’s meme.

Next, we give a Monday Meme shout out to trans-activist and award-nominated actress Laverne Cox! Cox turned 32 yesterday and at a young age she has already changed the way Hollywood thinks about and casts trans performers. Cox recently became the first trans actor to be cast in a leading role in a network television show, this fall’s Doubt on CBS, and will also be seen in a much-buzzed about reboot of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Lastly, we celebrate Melissa Etheridge! The songwriter and singer turned 55 yesterday. Etheridge’s activism for the LGBT community, marriage equality and cancer survivors is almost as rich as her near 30 year legacy in the music industry. A dynamic performer, an outspoken advocate and a passionate mother Melissa Etheridge is truly deserving of icon status!

But why stop the meme madness here? Go follow us on Instagram for more memes, quotes and images from our fantastic cards!