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Marcela Sánchez Buitrago
Founder of Colombia Diversa, she is a prominent activist with over 20 years of experience defending the rights of the LGBT+ community in Colombia. She has worked in areas such as women's political participation, the fight against gender violence, and equal rights for the LGBT+ community, standing out as a feminist and lesbian activist, and being recognized among the 'Top 35 leaders in Colombia.
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Sergio David Urrego
A distinguished student and passionate reader, he committed suicide in 2014 due to discrimination for his sexual orientation. The writer Enrique Patiño wrote "Green Butterflies" inspired by his story. His mother founded the Sergio Urrego Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to prevent discrimination and suicide motivated by discrimination, especially in school environments.
103
Co-founder of the LGBT+ movement in Colombia, this activist was forced to flee to Spain in 2007 as a refugee after receiving threats and surviving an attack in 2002 due to his advocacy for LGBT rights. His extensive career spans 45 years in the field of sexuality and 36 years related to HIV/AIDS. He holds multiple academic degrees and currently works as a scientific researcher in Colombia, providing counsel on issues of education, health, and human rights.
104
Alejandra Borrero Saa
Actress, Artistic Director of Casa E, and women's rights activist, this Colombian figure broke barriers by speaking openly about her sexual orientation in 1998. Her extensive career spans television, film, and theater, making her a role model for the LGBT community. She studied acting at the Universidad del Valle.
105
Carlos Andres Tovar Castaño
Passionate about LGBT rights in Armenia, Quindío, our Operations Manager, has a long history of activism and community involvement. He has participated in numerous initiatives focused on LGBT participation and education. In addition to his role at Hotel Terra Tacuara, he is a business administrator and continues to support the LGBT community through various social projects, including the development of the Municipal LGBT Roundtable in Armenia.
106
Jessica Vanegas Callejas
A leading voice in the feminophilia community, she has found acceptance and happiness after overcoming a difficult childhood. Married and a mother of three, her wife is her makeup artist. She holds a master's degree in marketing, is bilingual in English, and runs a website and blog dedicated to feminophilia, providing support and information to others."
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107
Gilbert Baker
Designer, activist, and drag queen, he is renowned as the creator of the iconic rainbow flag, a symbol of hope for the LGBT community. Inspired by Harvey Milk, he designed the flag in 1978. A military veteran and skilled artist, he championed LGBT rights through activism, film, and his book "Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color." He passed away in 2017.
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Harvey Milk
An American politician and activist, he was the first openly gay man elected to public office in the United States. He came to terms with his sexual orientation during adolescence but kept it secret until adulthood. As a city supervisor in San Francisco, he promoted a rights ordinance for the LGBTQ community. Tragically, he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in 1978 by Dan White, another supervisor. Harvey Milk is remembered as an influential openly LGBT+ official in U.S. history.
109
Ellen Degeneres
Comedian, actress, writer, presenter, screenwriter, and producer, she rose to fame in 1997 after publicly coming out as gay, generating media attention in the U.S. Despite early challenges, she built a successful career as a presenter. A communications graduate from the University of New Orleans, she has received numerous awards, including Emmys and the title of "Funniest Person in America." She has also hosted the Oscars."
110
Felipe Cárdenas Gonzáles
President of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Colombia in Bogotá, where he has led the mission to strengthen the LGBT community and promote its respect in the commercial sphere. Founder of Acciones De La Frontera (AFD COLOMBIA) and business administrator with experience in foreign trade and commercial evolution of organizations. With more than 10 years of experience in project management, startups and associations, he has made significant progress in the professional development of the LGBT community in Colombia and the world.
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Brigitte Baptiste
Scientific Subdirector of the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Biological Resources Research, she is a respected professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies at the Javeriana University in Bogotá. From an early age, she began dressing as a girl and never felt attracted to men. She is a biologist from the Javeriana University and holds a master's degree in conservation and tropical development from the University of Florida. She has also conducted studies in protected area management and tropical ecology in Guatemala, Venezuela, and the Smithsonian Institution. In 2016, she received an Honorary PhD in Environmental Management from Unipaz.
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