P H I L A D E L P H I A , PENNSYLVANIA – LGBT History Month 2012 began on Monday, continuing a tradition that started in 2006. Each day in October, an Icon is featured with a video, biography, bibliography, downloadable images and other educational resources, available free to organizations, educational institutions, workplace groups, and individuals.

Included among the 2012 icons are “America the Beautiful” songwriter Katharine Lee Bates, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, transgender pioneer Christine Jorgensen, actors Jodie Foster, Marlene Dietrich, and Chris Colfer, and entertainer RuPaul.

On September 19, the School Board of Broward County— the nation’s sixth largest school district—became the first to pass a resolution in support of LGBT History Month. In 2010, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan led an official ceremony, and the following year U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) issued a proclamation commemorating the day. For more information, visit lgbthistorymonth.com.