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As technology advances, there are plenty of people to be credited for the massive evolution the industry is going through, including many people from the LGBTQ community. As the International day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia was this month and it is Pride Month in June, we thought we’d celebrate the community who have changed technology and the industry for the better. Pride month aims to bring together the LGBTQ+ community and create a safer world for all, free from discrimination and abuse which is important in all work, not just technology.
Here are some honourable mentions of LGBT techies that have changed technology as we know it:
Chris is the co-chair of the economic security project to help low-income families in the US and the co-founder of Facebook. He did this with fellow roommates in early 2000’s, graduated from Harvard and has gone on to do incredibly inspiring things including campaigning for Obama, creating philanthropic non-profits and becoming Editor-in-chief of The New Republic magazine. Chris is married to the Political Director of ‘Freedom to Marry’, Sean Eldridge since 2012. With 2.6 billion active users on Facebook this year, a lot of people have benefitted from Chris’s brilliant work.
Sophie is a computer scientist who has received countless awards and titles for her fantastic contributions to the field. She led the development the BBC BASIC programming language and created the processor architecture that is used in smartphones today. Sophie underwent a male to female transition in 1994 and continues to change the computer industry today. She is dubbed one of the most important women in tech history and has earned a CBE and Birthday Honours for her continuous successes.
If you’ve ever used PayPal, you have this man to thank for it. He co-founded PayPal as well as several other businesses including capital and technology firms. He was also the first angel investor in Facebook in 2004! Peter created his own foundation that donates to AI and longevity of life / anti-aging as well as supports gay rights causes such as GOProud and the American Foundation for Equal Rights.
Leanne is a powerhouse who has created several companies including Tech Jobs Tour, Includeio and Lesbians Who Tech. Early in her career she became Head of Operations for Equality California, who were fighting to lift the ban on same-sex marriage. She has been recognised as one of the most powerful women in tech. Her wonderful work includes things such as organising LGBTQ Tech summits at the White House, creating scholarships for budding techies and hosting 3 annual global conferences!
The CEO of Apple Inc who became the first Chief Executive of a Fortune 500 company to be openly homosexual. He serves on the boards of Nike Inc. and the National Football Foundation and has received the Academy of Honour, which is the biggest honour from his home state of Alabama. He continues to speak out for LGBTQ rights whilst running one of the biggest companies in the world and enjoying an active lifestyle.
Angelica is a transgender rights activist who taught herself computer coding and went on to create the company TransTech Social Enterprises; A company dedicated to getting transgender people employment in the technology industry. She is a powerful woman who has had many featuring roles in TV and film too. With little family support early on, she has risen to great heights and continues to do amazing things for the trans community.
Inga has been openly bisexual since coming out in a job interview in 2008. She became the first female CEO of Lloyd’s of London and become one of the most influential people in the world in the insurance market. She was appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 2017 for her services to the economy. Inga also played rugby for the London Wasps! Now an inspirational speaker, director and investor, she continues to take London and the rest of the tech industry by storm.
Anthony is a British business and technology expert with an incredible track record. He had senior roles at Microsoft, Wells Fargo and was Global Chief Information Officer of Barclays and Nike. He was 19th on Fortunes’ ’40 under 40′ list in 2014 and features on countless other influencer lists. He is an LGBT rights activist and sits on the board of Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
This blog has only focused on a few of the LGBT tech geniuses and giants that inspire us and have been game changers of the last few decades. Is there anyone you think we should add to the list?
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