From Past to Present: Transgender Icons That Have Shaped History

5. Octavia Saint Laurent

Known as Octavia Saint Laurent: Queen of the Underground, this model, actress, and activist was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 16, 1964. The performer is probably best known for appearing in “Paris is Burning,” a beautiful and telling documentary about the underground ball scene in New York.

The activist also had an even longer name as she legally changed it to Heavenly Angel Octavia Saint Laurent Manolo Blahnik before ultimately going with Octavia Saint Laurent Mizrahi. Yep! That is one long name, and of course, fit for a queen. On May 17, 2009, the trans icon passed away, but her memory lives on.