Barbara May Cameron, a Native American photographer, poet, writer, and human rights activist, is being honored with a Google Doodle on her 69th birthday.

Who is Barbara May Cameron?

Born in 1954 in Fort Yates, North Dakota, Cameron belonged to the Hunkpapa group of the Lakota tribe and was raised on the Standing Rock Reservation.

Cameron’s journey began with studying photography and film at the American Indian Art Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she earned recognition and awards for her work in theater and media arts. In 1973, she came out as a lesbian and moved to San Francisco, where she became a champion for LGBTQIA+ acceptance within the Native American community and fought against racism in queer spaces.

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A pivotal moment in Cameron’s activism came in 1975 when she co-founded Gay American Indians, the first dedicated Native American LGBTQIA+ group. This groundbreaking organization provided a platform for queer Indigenous individuals to express their identities and advocate for their rights.

Throughout her life, Cameron played an instrumental role in various programs promoting human welfare. She organized the Lesbian Gay Freedom Day Parade and Celebration from 1980 to 1985 and co-led a lawsuit against the Immigration & Naturalization Service, which eventually resulted in a Supreme Court ruling in favor of Cameron and her co-plaintiffs.

Cameron’s contributions extended beyond LGBTQIA+ advocacy. She served as the executive director of Community United Against Violence, providing crucial support to individuals affected by hate crimes and domestic violence. Her commitment to social justice was recognized with appointments to the Citizens Committee on Community Development, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

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During the early 1990s, Cameron played a leading role in raising awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on Native communities. She actively participated in organizations such as the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the American Indian AIDS Institute and contributed to AIDS and childhood immunization programs.

Cameron’s legacy lives on through the impact she made on countless lives, inspiring others to stand up for equality and justice.