I ran across a story this week that a theory by Alan Turing had been proven. As I read this article, it could have some significance in explaining the mechanics of evolution. (I may be wrong). We will have a question on this man who had a quite significant role in history that many never heard of. He is but one of many LGBT people who have contributed hugely to man’s advancement. But many have gotten little credit, or have hidden their sexuality. Can you name some of these LGBT contributors?

1) OK – What did Alan Turing do that was so significant? – hint it was WWII
a) interpreted Mein Kampf to figure out what Hitler’s next moves were.
b) perfected Britain’s response to Germany’s V2 rockets.
c) created the machine that broke Germany’s Enigma code, thus the Allies were able to know Nazi moves ahead of time.
d) created the post war recovery plan.

2) One of the great behind the scenes movers and shakers in the civil rights movement was a gay man named
a) Bayard Rustin
b) E. D. Nixon
c) Homer A. Plessy
d) A. Phillip Randolph

3) There seems to be much evidence that this first lady was lesbian. Funny thing, she is still one of the most respected women ever in history
a) Abigail Adams
b) Eleanor Roosevelt
c) Lou Henry Hoover
d) Dolly Madison

4) This comedian keeps getting attacked for her admitted lesbian life. Yet the more she is attacked, the bigger her audience gets. Recently named spokesperson for JC Penny’s, who is she?
a) Elayne Boosler
b) Paula Poundstone
c) Amy Poehler
d) Ellen Degeneris

5) Let’s reach back for a couple questions. This guy conquered the known world back then. Can’t get much bigger than that. Who is he?
a) Phillip of Macedonia
b) Alexander the Great
c) Ghengis Khan
d) Atilla the Hun

6) This well-known Muslim hero repelled the Christians during the Third Crusade. Often considered to be the greatest Moslem military hero. Who is he?
a) Charles Martel
b) Suleiman
c) Saladin
d) Mehmed the Conquerer

7) This woman fought hard for equal rights for women using her skills with a tennis racket as a springboard for social action.
a) Billie Jean Moffit King
b) Chrissie Evert
c) Martina Navratalova
d) Evonne Goolagong Cawley

8) Once America’s #1 cop, this man often used a form of blackmail on politicians that included references to their sexual proclivities while he hid his. Who is he?
a) L. Patrick Gray
b) William J. Burns
c) Louis J. Freeh
d) J. Edgar Hoover

9) This man helped keep the post-WWII world from turning the cold war hot. He died in an airplane crash on a peace mission in his role as UN

Secretary General. Who was he?
a) Trygvie Lie
b) Dag Hammarskjold
c) U Thant
d) Kofi Anan

10) Well, maybe he didn’t advance humanity, but damn he made me laugh. Pretty much the permanent center sqaure on Hollywood Squares. Who was this master of the one-line retort?
a) Peter Lind Hayes
b) Peter Marshall
c) Paul Lynde
d) Charlie Weaver.

Turing is never given the credit for ending WWII that he deserves. Nor is he given much credit for the predecessor of the computer that he created. The reason many think he gets little credit is that he was homosexual. He died at age 41, most believe he was driven to suicide over his sexuality following a set up outing by British police.

This was kind of an eye opener from me. I got many of the names from this site: http://www.lambda.org/famous.htm
Here we go:

1) c) Turing broke the Enigma code which allowed the Allies to know what when and where the Nazis would strike. Think that wasn’t important?

2) a) Bayard Rustin. He was often shoved into the background because of his homosexuality. He was a brilliant organizer.

3) b) Eleanor Roosevelt. Her name still inspires awe.

4) d) Ellen Degeneris. She is small, but feisty. They try to knock her down, but she comes back with a wallop.

5) b) Alexander the Great

6) c) Saladin. In researching this I discovered that Suleiman was also gay.

7) a) Billie Jean. She worked day and night. remember the stunt where she kicked chauvanist tennis player Bobby Riggs’ butt?

8) d) J. Edgar Hoover who lived for decades with his assistant Clyde Tolson.

9) b) One of the greatest peace keepers ever, Dag Hammaskjold

10) c) Paul Lynde – need some chuckles? go here http://www.classicsquares.com/lyndesquares.html