It’s Pride Month and we’re spotlighting a number of incredible LGBTQ+ influencers you should definitely be following, who aim to educate, inspire and brighten up your social media feeds.
While you may already know about major LGBTQ+ icons including trans activist Laverne Cox, the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race and singer Hayley Kiyoko, there’s a few names we’ve found sharing their content everywhere from TikTok to news publications - championing the rights of LGBTQ+ people and celebrating the community.
Read on for the list:
AJ Clementine
Australian influencer and model AJ Clementine has a thriving presence on social media, in which she talks about her life and educates her followers about the trans community as well her experience as a mixed-race child.
As one of YouTube’s 2020 Creators for Change, she has used her platform to create vlogs, short films and to share her personal transition story.
She also has a thriving TikTok presence in which she shares glimpses into her life as a transgender woman, her boyfriend, experiences with transphobic behaviour and other educational videos.
Alexander Leon
Leon went viral on social media at the start of this year, after he talked openly about what growing up queer is like for many around the world.
Leon is a writer and activist who champions the rights of LGBTQ+ people and particularly queer people of colour, but also delves into topics including the importance of mental health and impact of COVID-19 on the BAME community.
Chase Ross
Canadian YouTuber Chase Ross is a trans activist who uses his channel to educate people about life as a transgender person, creating a Trans 101 series for people to inform themselves about the community and sharing a number of honest and helpful resources for trans individuals.
He also speaks openly about sex on his channel, as well as sharing honest reviews of everything from scar creams to STP devices and raises awareness around issues such as healthcare for trans individuals.
Ross speaks openly about his transition journey and made headlines when he exposed a YouTube loophole which allowed anti-LGBTQ companies to run conversion therapy ads on content by LGBTQ creators and YouTube’s demonetisation/age gating of LGBTQ content.
Divina De Campo
Drag queen Divina de Campo became a British television favourite when the non-binary star joined RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
Known for their fiery head of red hair and fabulous outfits, de Campo speaks openly about their life as a drag queen and is one of the most notable performers on the British scene today.
Eugene Lee Yang
For years, Eugene Lee Yang was best known as a part of The Try Guys (who formerly were a part of Buzzfeed).
While Yang remains a member of The Try Guys and previously refrained from discussing his sexuality, he surprised everyone last year when he came out publicly in a stunningly choreographed video titled simply ‘I’m Gay - Eugene Lee Yang.’
Since then, he has used his platform to speak openly about LGBTQ issues and campaigned for The Trevor Project - resulting in him being awarded with a Phenom Award for LGBTQ+ activism earlier this year.
Enam Asiama
London model Asiama describes herself as a “Fat Queer Femme” in her Instagram bio and uses her platform to showcase her approach to plus size fashion, sharing editorial shots as well as discussing issues regarding representation and racial injustice.
With a feed full of colourful beauty and fashion looks, she’s also signed to Anti-Agency, a modelling agency committed to diversity and inclusion.
Jaboukie Young-White
Queer comedian Jaboukie Young-White is best known for his Twitter presence and work as a correspondent on the Daily Show, alongside host Trevor Noah.
Outspoken and armed with an acerbic wit, Young-White frequently discusses issues affecting the LGBTQ+ and black communities - peppering in occasional pop culture references and jokes. He also works as a stand up comedian and has written for shows including Big Mouth and American Vandal.
Jess Guilbeaux
If you’ve seen season three of Queer Eye, you may remember Guilbeaux as one of the show’s most riveting heroes. Following her transformation thanks to the Fab 5, she has become a vocal advocate for black and LGBTQ+ issues while also sharing videos with her girlfriend Emma Larson both on TikTok and Instagram.
Krystian Gabrielle
Instagram influencer Krystian shares an insight into married life with her partner Caitlyn and son Grey.
The Floridian shares beautiful pictures of her family on Instagram and speaks openly about their experience raising their son, from openly discussing the pregnancy challenges she faced with IUI and postpartum depression through to her relationship with Caitlyn (who she met as a teenager).
Kyle De Volle
De Volle is a fashion stylist and designer who’s worked with household names including Rita Ora, Bruno Mars and Andreja Pejic - however he’s making a real splash of his own on Instagram.
De Volle is someone you’re likely to find styled to the nines in a striking dress at a star-studded party or modelling at fashion week for the likes of De La Vali.
Besides his fashion work, he also has worked with the likes of The Mix to educate people on LGBTQ+ issues and also runs a charity called c.4.k.e. which supports LGBTQ+ youth.
Munroe Bergdorf
Trans model and activist Bergdorf is perhaps best known for what happened to her in 2017, after L’Oreal Paris fired her as a brand ambassador when she spoke out against a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville and discussed white privilege.
Since then, Bergdorf has remained a staunch activist championing black and trans rights - even joining the Labour Party’s LGBT advisory board (she later stepped down due to “endless attacks on her character).
More recently, she and L’Oreal Paris have committed to working together to better the brand’s approach to diversity and inclusion as Bergdorf recently announced she would be joining its board as a consultant.
Nara Kim
Queer model Nara Kim’s Instagram feed is full of incredible outfits, which speaks to the power of her fashion business StyledbyCheriNara.
Although the Korean model’s social media account mostly focuses on her ultra cool outfits, Kim has previously used her platform to talk about the difficulties the queer community faces in South Korea where she is based. She also occasionally speaks about sex and sexual attraction on her account, discussing everything from sex toys to asexuality.
Patrick Starrr
Starrr is one of the better known make-up gurus on the Internet and in recent years has seen his star rise, landing invites to red carpets and seeing stars such as Rihanna and Naomi Campbell reach out for collaborations.
With a colourful gender-fluid approach to make-up, the gay Filipino YouTuber shares a number of make-up tutorials, product reviews and more - declaring on his channel that he wants “boys in BEAUTY!”
Ruby Rare
Sex educator Ruby Rare is an absolute delight on Instagram, sharing joyous body positive pictures, talking openly about sex and spotlighting fellow queer icons.
The bisexual influencer has no holds barred conversations about sex toys, non-monogamy and celebrating the skin you live in and recently announced that she has just had a book commissioned.
She Does Him (Allison Graham)
Fashion blogger Allison Graham’s Instagram account is a masterclass in style, with the Jamaican influencer bringing pops of colour and bold patterns into her menswear-inspired wardrobe.
With a successful blog to boot, she regularly talks about her life as a masculine presenting woman as well as sharing fantastic outfits along the way.
Travis Alabanza
Trans performance artist Travis Alabanza is known for their striking theatrical endeavours, but they also have a thriving social media presence where they fight for trans and black rights - as well as share beautiful outfits and makeup looks. They have also taken their activism off the grid and into publications including Gal-Dem, Metro and more.
Venus Libido
Pansexual influencer Venus Libido’s empowering illustrations have garnered her a big following on social media, delving into topics including mental health, endometriosis and both body and sex-positivity. Besides illustrating, she also runs a podcast called the TLC podcast alongside fellow illustrator Natalie Byrne, hosts an IGTV show called Private Parts and is an ambassador for the Young Women’s Trust.
The Vagabroads
Travelling couple The Vagabroads share their worldwide adventures on Instagram, which see them journey across the US, South America and anywhere they can get to in their van.
Sharing an insight into their overland travels, the duo’s Instagram features delicious food pictures, stunning photography and beautiful looks into their life as a biracial same-sex couple.
They have also released a book called I Can. I Will: Overlanding the World which follows the stories of women travelling the world on everything from trucks to bicycles.
