The poster is designed and illustrated by Mike Curato, an award-winning author and illustrator. Mike's most recent book Flamer is a YA graphic novel that has won numerous awards, including the Rainbow Book List. "Masterfully nuanced and stunningly told, this is visual storytelling at its finest" (Booklist). Mike is the author and illustrator of the popular Little Elliot series, which is an international hit and has been translated into 10 languages. He has also illustrated many other delightful children's books.

The Musicians

laura jane grace

Laura Jane Grace (1980 - present) is an American musician, author, and activist who leads, sings and writes music for the punk band Against Me! Grace also leads Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers. She came out as transgender in 2012 and became the Music Director of MTV’s Rebel Music, a video series about global social change. Her book “Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout” is an honest and intimate look at her childhood, music and identity. Grace talks about her struggles with gender dysphoria and how she wrote, recorded and performed her music.
Notable works: Transgender Dysphoria Blues, Androgynous, I Was a Teenage Anarchist

Denise Ho

Denise Ho  (1977 - present) is a singer and songwriter from Hong Kong whose music has inspired millions of people around the world. At the 2012 Hong Kong Gay Pride Parade, Ho came out as a lesbian, the first mainstream female Asian singer to come out. She is also a pro-democracy advocate who participated in the 2014 Umbrella Movement, working tirelessly to champion basic human rights for the people of Hong Kong. Because of her involvement, she has been blacklisted by the Chinese government and not allowed to perform in China. The documentary "Becoming the Song" shows how much Ho has worked to champion the rights of the Hong Kong people and LGBTQ+ folks.
Notable works: 勞斯萊斯 Louise and Lawrence, 是有種人 The Beauty of We, 光明會 Illuminati

Elton John

Sir Elton John (1947-present) is a British singer-songwriter whose popular hits have flooded the charts across a 50-year span, from 1970 until today. This “flamboyant superstar,” whose delightful and fanciful costumes accompany his energetic live performances, has won multiple Grammys and numerous awards. He devotes his time to a variety of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $450 million to help fight the AIDS epidemic. In 2019, Elton John published his autobiography Me, in which he candidly talks about his difficult but music-filled childhood and the journey he takes from his first attempts at writing songs to Bernie Taupin's lyrics to massive stardom.
Notable works: Candle in the Wind (best selling song since 1950), Rocketman, Your Song, Lion King Musical

Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893) was a Russian classical composer whose musical works have reached millions of people worldwide. As a young child, he loved music but wanted to honor his parents’ wishes and became a civil servant. He became increasingly passionate about music and enrolled in the St. Petersburg Conservatory when he was 21 years old. Tchaikovsky went on to compose many notable ballets, symphonies, piano concertos, and chamber music. He lived during a time when being gay was taboo, so he remained closeted his entire life. When Tchaikovsky died, his death was officially declared to be caused by cholera, but scholars believe that he may have committed suicide in order to keep his sexuality a secret.
Notable works: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Sleeping Beauty, 1812 Overture

Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith (1894 - 1937) was a renowned American jazz singer popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Known as “The Empress of the Blues,” Smith’s vocal techniques have influenced jazz vocalists. She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and by the time she was nine years old, her mother, father, and brother had died. In order to survive, she busked with her brother Andrew. When she was 14, she joined Moses Stokes’ performance troupe where she met and learned from Ma Rainey. A year later, she formed her own act and was signed to Columbia Records in 1923. Smith’s music highlighted independence, sexual freedom, and fearlessness, along with advocating for the rights of working class women. She incorporated lyrics into her music that covered social issues like poverty, racism, and female sexuality.
Notable works: Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, Baby Won't You Please Come Home, Sam Jones' Blues

freddie mercury

Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) was a British singer songwriter, and lead vocalist of Queen. His four-octave range and flamboyant performances made him a stunning performer. Mercury was Parsi-Indian and born in Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) with the name Farrokh Bulsara. Mercury spent his childhood in India, Britain, and Zanzibar, finally moving to Britain with his parents in 1964 in order to flee the Zanzibar Revolution. He formed Queen in 1970 with drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May. Queen's progressive, innovative sound has inspired numerous musicians and was the first band to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Mercury died of AIDS when he was 45 years old. 
Notable works: Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, Another One Bites the Dust, We Will Rock You

Ethel Smyth

Dame Ethel Mary Smyth (1858 - 1944) pronounced "sm-eye-th" was an English classical composer who she studied music at Leipzig Conservatory in Germany. Her piano and chamber music pieces were performed at private and public concerts, and she received musical encouragement from notable composers such as Johannes Brahms, Edvard Grieg and Clara Schumann. Her orchestral debut of Serenade and Anthony and Cleopatra received favorable reviews, though the press was surprised when they learned that Ethel Smyth was a woman. Smyth was open about her attraction to women and passionate about the suffrage movement. Even though she faced criticism from those who deemed her work either too feminine or not masculine enough, she was eventually recognized for her contribution to British music and Oxford University awarded her with an honorary doctorate. Eventually, her work was in demand and she used her influence to champion a variety of causes including gender equality.
Notable works: The Wreckers (opera), March of the Women, The Boatswain Mate (opera)

Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean (1987 - present) is a singer, songwriter, record producer, photographer, and visual artist. Known for his idiosyncratic musical style, Ocean often uses electronic keyboard, unconventional melodies, and subdued rhythms in his music. He began his career writing songs for pop stars like Beyoncé and Justin Bieber. He self-released his album NOSTALGIA, ultra in 2011 to critical acclaim. That album was personal and political, addressing issues such as abortion and suicide. The following year, Ocean released his album channel ORANGE, which won the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Ocean receives his inspiration from a variety of sources--including Aphex Twin, video games, The Beatles, movies like Jackie Brown, and fast cars--and incorporates them into his music. 
Notable works: Thinkin Bout You, Pink + White, Bad Religion, Novacane