A lesbian icon, Kate Clinton is a celebrity with an international stature, known for fighting causes for the LGBT. Her choice of weapon? Her sense of humor.
Among the many lesbian who're making an impact on history today, Rachel Maddow is the first openly gay anchor to host a major prime-time US news program.
Library resource provider Gale has placed the largest digital archive on LGBT history and culture, the Archives of Human Sexuality and Identity, online.
Aside from Bessie Smith, here are six more lesbian blues singers who've made an impact on American music history, including Ma Rainey and Billie Holliday.