StarBulletin.com – Eduardo Hernandez
October is Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender History Month, a concept founded in the 1990s by teachers and community leaders, including the National Education Association. Just as we have Black History Month and Women’s History Month to focus on the accomplishments and stories of courageous individuals who’ve persevered in the face of discrimination, this month students, teachers and the public are encouraged to learn about inspiring role models and a community whose stories are often overlooked or misunderstood.
The GLBT community has many heroes who are worthy of remembering. These include the celebrated American author James Baldwin, whose novels and essays, such as “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and “Giovanni’s Room,” captured the conflicted spirit of late 20th- century America. Baldwin received many awards during his lifetime, including France’s highest civilian award — Commander of the Legion of Honor — in 1986.