LGBT History Month Icon Of The Day: Janet Mock

LGBT History Month Icon Of The Day: Janet Mock

Staring right into the camera, eyes wide open and with a warm smile, People.com Editor Janet Mock says, "I promise that it gets better." She pauses and then continues, "I know because I am you. I love you and I can't wait to see you on the other side."

Last May, Mock came out as a transgender woman with her life story detailed in the June 2011 issue of Marie Claire. In it, she says she wasn't looking to be the "poster child for transsexuals," but because of the string of LGBT youth suicides and murders, Mock felt compelled to speak up and advocate for her community. Because of her activism, Mock has had numerous honors including being named to The Grio's 100 most influential people and Sundance Channel's top 10 LGBT voices. Mock will receive the Sylvia Rivera Activist Award, which honors the late transgender activist, by the Sylvia Rivera Law Project in November 2012.

To keep up with Mock, You can find some of her writing on The Huffington Post and follow her on Twitter where she tweets for her social media campaign, #girlslikeus, which seeks to empower trans women through sharing each other's stories using the hashtag.

Each day in October, which is LGBT History Month, we'll be featuring a different LGBT icon. Check back tomorrow for a look at another incredible individual who changed history and visit our LGBT History Month Big News Page for more stories.

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