Pride Month 2025 is the perfect time to honor incredible people who inspire the world within the LGBTQ community.
From personal friends to famous celebs, these seven individuals embody courage, authenticity, and resilience.
Let’s celebrate their stories, and the vibrant spectrum of identity and love they represent, all month long (and beyond!)
Elijah Barbosa
After initially meeting Elijah when we were both 15 years old (enrolled at an arts high school in California) we instantly developed a tight-knit friendship.
I never felt more accepted than I did as a teenager in my friendship with Elijah.
Boldly and unapologetically living his truth, Elijah inspired me to be my most authentic self at a time when I would’ve otherwise struggled with endless bouts of insecurity.
In my friendship with Elijah, there was never any judgment – always light-hearted humor and energy.
As we’ve become adults, I’ve watched him become one of the most talented hair stylists… So talented, in fact, I requested his hair services for my wedding day. And he made sure I slayed as a bride.
I’ve also watched Elijah become one of the most talented and amazing cheerleading coaches on the West Coast. Inspirational doesn’t even begin to describe him.
Ariana Toriz
Ariana is a newer addition to my life as someone who thoroughly inspires me to be the best version of myself.
She also happens to be a trans woman with a background in dance that allows her to flow elegantly and beautifully any time she grabs a pole.
When I signed up for pole fitness classes back in 2023, I had no idea I’d be introduced to so many talented and amazing people, but that’s exactly what happened – and Ari happens to be one of those women.
At the start of 2025, I restarted my Vertica membership after taking time off to temporarily live in Barbados.
Upon my return, I felt terrible about losing some of my skills and strength.
During a Flex session with Ariana, our one-on-one conversation brought me peace of mind about my future in pole fitness and my overall fitness journey.
Her words of encouragement stood out to me more than she probably realizes.
She deserves to be celebrated for all the way she inspires me (and hundreds of other students trying to improve their pole dancing skills) at Vertica, and even outside of the dance studio.
Heather Harper
Heather is my little sister who isn’t even a full year younger than me. As soon as I popped out, my mom got pregnant with Heather!
We are Irish twins because of that, and even though we don’t keep up with each other as much as I keep up with my other siblings, Heather will always be a precious kiddo in my eyes.
Heather revealed she was queer when we were in high school, and she’s continued to boldly live her truth as we’ve entered adulthood.
Heather figured out the importance of progressive thinking before I did.
Although she’s younger than me, she energetically guided me along the right path in many ways.
Heather’s reveal was a turning point for me. We grew up in a conservative household together, but we released those ideologies and embraced the fact that LOVE IS LOVE.
Being an ally to the LGBTQ community became the easiest thing in the world to me because of Heather, and I can credit my sister for opening my mind.
Miley Cyrus
Like most current millennials, I grew up watching Hannah Montana on Disney Channel. I became an instant fan of Miley Cyrus, seeing her as the pop icon of my dreams.
To this day, I still listen to her bops on my playlist in my car.
Now that we’re all grown up, Miley has come out to publicly speak on her sexual identity, revealing that she is a bisexual woman.
Miley undoubtedly knew that some members of her original fan base would be disappointed since she exhibited a “squeaky clean” Disney image for so many years in her childhood.
However, there has never been anything wrong with being part of LGBTQ community – and her openness about her sexual identity serves as proof that she agrees with that sentiment.
Miley has never been ashamed to date who she wants to date or be exactly who she wants to be, and that I find that absolutely incredible.
Frank Ocean
Who else remembers the moment “Thinkin Bout You” by Frank Ocean hit radios? That song had me in a chokehold, and I know I’m not alone.
Just about everyone was listening to it on repeat because it was one of the prettiest love songs of 2012.
It was later revealed that the song was written about Frank’s experience with another guy.
It opened up SO MUCH dialogue about what it means to be a young person who is gay… What it means to be a young person in love, going against societal norms.
2012 was also the year Frank uploaded a statement about his sexual identity on his Tumblr account, revealing that he definitely wasn’t straight.
The conversations he started across social media platforms and school campuses created a domino effect that helped move the LGBTQ community in the right direction.
Renee Rapp
I watched Renee Rapp bring the character of Regina George to life in the new Mean Girls adaptation last year, and I quickly became an overnight fan.
The blonde beauty brought a chic level of swag to the role, which allowed the movie to be far more entertaining than it likely would’ve been without her presence.
The world found out she was a lesbian in March 2024, when she tweeted, “If I say I’m a lesbian, I am a lesbian and if someone says they’re bi, they are bi. I’ve had enough of you witches.”
It was her way of saying she’s going to be exactly who she wants to be –and she’s done hearing other people‘s opinions on the matter.
I’ve recently considered how bold and outspoken her statement was, and it fills me with complete inspiration to live my own life as authentically as humanly possible. Renee is the definition of inspiration.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s talent and lyricism are a couple of major reasons why I find myself obsessed with her as a diehard fan.
The “Birds of a Feather” singer spent a good chunk of her celebrity life being accused of queerbaiting, but the truth of the matter is that she’s actually part of the LGBTQ community.
In 2023, she made it known that she was bisexual, and she even noted that she didn’t realize people weren’t already aware of it.
She felt like the energy she exuded in the world already made it obvious enough that she was into girls!
Billie‘s openness about being exactly who she is in this world truly inspires me heavily.
Let’s pair these two facts: She proudly and unapologetically takes up space and exists in society as she sees fit, and she has the ability to write some of the most angelic lyrics for songs like “Ocean Eyes” and “Happier Than Ever” — how can I not be a fan?
It’s kind of impossible not to absorb inspiration from someone like Billie – Or the rest of the incredible people on this list.
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