TikTokEvery day we're inspired by the LGBTQIA+ community on TikTok. These creators bring their true selves to our platform - and do it with creativity, authenticity and joy.
Sharing your story isn't always easy, and we're grateful to everyone who chooses to do so - on our platform and within our wider community. That includes our COO at TikTok, V Pappas, who recently chose to share an update on their pronouns and how they recognised the importance of language in affirming gender differences. We're grateful that V felt confident and supported in sharing their identity with their colleagues and our community.
We love celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community throughout the year, but when February and LGBTQIA+ History month comes around, it's an opportunity not to be missed to go even further! We're proud to spotlight some of the amazing creators from this community and show them our appreciation through our Trailblazers programme.
LGBTQIA+ History Month is also a great reminder for everyone to educate themselves and take the time to understand the important issues affecting this community. It's about working to be more informed, more supportive and better allies - and having fun while doing it.
That's why we're launching a dedicated TikTok Unpacks series for LGBTQIA+ History Month. The videos feature this year's cohort of Trailblazers, and will help us all learn more about queer moments in history, the impact of queer culture and individuals on the UK today and much more. To run alongside this, we'll also be running a number of LIVEs discussing LGBTQIA+ history and culture featuring creators such as @matthewandryanuk and @dah_vey, alongside lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights charity @stonewalluk.
We'd love for our whole community to join in the LGBTQIA+ history month celebrations, so make sure to check out our LGBTQIA+ History Month Hub and follow our LGBTQIA+ Trailblazers 🌈
Introducing the 2023 LGBTQIA+ Trailblazers
Our 2023 LGBTQIA+ Trailblazers have been chosen because of their impact, authenticity and creativity. As well as featuring on our dedicated LGBTQIA+ Hub, they'll partner with us on our LGBTQIA+ campaigns and activations as we continue to shine a spotlight on this community throughout the year. We're honoured to champion and uplift them, and without further ado, we'd like to introduce you!
@solanthagreenfairy She / her
Ssolana is a poet, songwriter and educator on issues affecting the LGBT+ community around the world. Whether it's connecting with LGBTQ+ allies on her travels with her girlfriend or making cute content together - like letting her do her makeup - she brings her true self to TikTok every time. As part of our Unpacks series, she's also shared her recommendations of films about iconic LGBTQ+ people for you to get stuck into!
@nialllcasey He / him
Niall shot to popularity when he was runner-up Glow Up Ireland, and since then the makeup artist and self-proclaimed shapeshifter has been wowing our community with his amazing looks. Whether it's bossing the latest TikTok beauty trends, like cold makeup and minimal boy makeup, or elaborate 8-hour prep looks - his creativity never fails to impress.
@leokalyan He / they
Leo has been sharing their experience as a queer non-binary South Asian with the TikTok community - inspiring and educating us all at once. Frank conversations about pronouns and educational videos about South Asian history sit alongside Bollywood mashups of trending tunes from Beyonce to Sam Smith.
@_thislineismine They / she
Cheryl shares their experience as an autistic person with the TikTok community, and is always amazingly open about their own mental health and journey fighting to be their true authentic self. They show us how their creativity supports their wellbeing - like through their colourful sensory bottles.
@senorfenty He / him / el
Damilola Adejonwo - better known as @senorfenty - is a Nigerian, gay, MUA who has captivated the TikTok community with his incredible makeup tutorials and generally hilarious content. Whether it's nude lips, 10 minute makeup looks or a beginner's makeup base routine, he'll be sure to have you smiling as you follow along
@stuartandfrancis He / him
Stuart and Francis have been taking the TikTok community with them on their journey to becoming Dad and Daddy. They share adorable daily vlog style videos of life with their son, as well as frank overviews of everything from their surrogacy experience to coping with panic attacks
@chrisisainmdom He / him
Chris - who describes himself as that Irish Gay - shares his experience through absolutely hilarious videos. His reinvention of straight events to include the gay experience, from Safer Internet Gay to the Golden Gay Awards, will have laughing, as well as very specific sketches like how to take on toxic men in a record store.
@itz_jacob_33 He / him
Jacob is transgender and proud, and our community loves his openness about his gender and sexuality. Whether it's sharing what transgender feels like on different days, charting his top surgery experience or sharing how he met his love, our community really appreciates following Jacob's story.
@spencerrfreitas They / them / he
Spencer is a queer creator who takes us along with them on the conversations they have about their identity. Like when you mention being queer to a straight girl or have to explain the difference between gender identity and sexual identity - here's hoping that by sharing their experience of these conversations with our community, fewer people need to have them.
@becomingjude They / them
Jude is a non-binary advocate, speaker and model - who shared the heartwarming moment of officially becoming Jude with the community in November last year. They share an optimistic view on how transphobia is getting less and less common and inspire people to keep challenging gender roles.
@lavalarue They / them
Lava La Rue is an indie-pop rapper whose track Magpie has been taking off on TikTok. They've been touring the UK and Europe, and are set to fly over the pond to appear at Coachella this year - so are one to watch out for!
@traplineblings He / him
A London-based dancer known for their voguing, Alizé West (aka @traplinebrings) takes their talent from Somerset House to Notting Hill Carnival and everywhere inbetween!
@irelandsfavouritegay She / her
Meri shares hilarious and uplifting content about her experience as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Her lovely series of things that helped her come out as well as her series of learnings from growing up in the closet help others learn from her journey - and her hilarious takes on love and relationships are relatable for many people!
@willnjo He / him
TV, Radio and TikTok star Will has an infectious personality that our community can't get enough of. Last year, he came out on his TikTok and received so much support - but most of his content is not that deep and is largely his hot takes and hilarious reactions to Love Island drama.
New to TikTok and want to find out more about #LGBTQhistory? Simply download the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.
