Universal Rainbow Faith (URF) – The Twelve Sacred Patrons & Saints Honoring the spirits of resilience, truth, and transformation

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Saint Marsha P. Johnson (Patron of Activism & LGBTQ+ Justice)
Born: August 24, 1945 – Passed: July 6, 1992
✨ Remembrance Day: July 6
🖊️ Symbol: Flower crown
🔷 Color: Violet
Marsha P. Johnson was a Black transgender woman, drag queen, and outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She played a key role in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, which marked a turning point in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Marsha co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera to support homeless queer and trans youth. Known for her radiant smile, floral crowns, and unshakable courage, Marsha became a beloved figure of resistance and joy in the queer community. Her legacy lives on as a powerful symbol of radical love and fearless defiance.

Saint Sylvia Rivera (Patron of Transgender Rights & Shelter for the Marginalized)
Born: July 2, 1951 – Passed: February 19, 2002
✨ Remembrance Day: February 19
💒 Symbol: Torch
🔵 Color: Indigo
Sylvia Rivera was a Latinx transgender activist and one of the earliest and most vocal advocates for trans and queer people of color. As a co-founder of the Gay Liberation Front and STAR, she fought for the inclusion of transgender people within the broader LGBTQ+ movement. Sylvia faced homelessness, police brutality, and marginalization, yet remained relentless in her advocacy. Her fire, resilience, and refusal to be erased have made her a lasting guardian of justice for the forgotten and abandoned.

Saint Brandon Teena (Patron of Transgender Men & Truth in Identity)
Born: December 12, 1972 – Passed: December 31, 1993
✨ Remembrance Day: December 31
🔮 Symbol: Star
🔴 Color: Crimson
Brandon Teena was a young transgender man whose brutal murder in rural Nebraska exposed the violence faced by trans people and galvanized a national conversation about gender identity and hate crimes. His story was later portrayed in the film "Boys Don't Cry," bringing wider visibility to the trans experience. Brandon's life and death stand as a solemn reminder of the cost of living authentically in a world not yet ready to accept difference. He is remembered as a symbol of truth, courage, and the sacred right to self-identify.

Saint Gwen Araujo (Patron of Trans Youth & the Right to Be Seen)
Born: February 24, 1985 – Passed: October 4, 2002
✨ Remembrance Day: October 4
👶 Symbol: Butterfly
💜 Color: Pink

Gwen Araujo was a young Latina transgender woman whose life was tragically cut short when she was murdered at just 17 years old. Her death prompted widespread media attention and legal reform in California regarding the "gay panic" defense. Gwen lived with authenticity and joy, despite the challenges of growing up trans in a hostile world. Her legacy continues to inspire advocacy for trans youth and legislation that protects the dignity of gender-diverse people.

Saint Leelah Alcorn (Patron of Trans Awareness & Ending Conversion Therapy)
Born: November 15, 1997 – Passed: December 28, 2014
✨ Remembrance Day: December 28
🌦️ Symbol: Shooting star
💫 Color: Lavender

Leelah Alcorn was a transgender girl whose heartbreaking suicide note called for greater understanding and protection of trans youth. Her plea to "fix society" sparked international outcry and renewed efforts to end conversion therapy. Leelah faced rejection from her religious family and endured isolation, but her final words awakened a movement. In death, she became a voice for countless struggling teens and a catalyst for change. Her spirit continues to guide efforts toward compassion, mental health support, and true acceptance.

Saint Lucy Hicks Anderson (Patron of Trans Marriage & Authentic Living)
Born: 1886 – Passed: 1954
✨ Remembrance Day: June 1
🛍️ Symbol: Wedding ring
🖠 Color: Gold

Lucy Hicks Anderson was a Black transgender woman who lived her life authentically in the early 20th century—a time of immense hostility toward gender nonconformity. She was legally married to a man and ran a successful boarding house in Oxnard, California. When her gender identity was challenged by authorities, she fiercely defended her right to live as a woman and be recognized as such. Her boldness and integrity in the face of legal persecution make her a pioneer of trans visibility and marital rights.

Saint We’wha (Patron of Two-Spirit People & Indigenous Wisdom)
Born: 1849 – Passed: 1896
✨ Remembrance Day: October 15
🌿 Symbol: Corn stalk
🔹 Color: Turquoise
We’wha was a Zuni Two-Spirit individual honored in their community as a spiritual leader, artisan, and cultural ambassador. They blended traditionally male and female roles and were deeply respected for their wisdom and ceremonial knowledge. We’wha even traveled to Washington, D.C., representing the Zuni people to President Grover Cleveland. Their life challenges Western gender binaries and reminds us of the sacred roles that gender-diverse individuals have held in Indigenous cultures throughout history.

Saint Hatshepsut (Patron of Transgender Royalty & Gender Defiance)
Born: c. 1507 BCE – Passed: c. 1458 BCE
✨ Remembrance Day: January 15
🗻 Symbol: Sphinx
🔶 Color: Royal blue
Hatshepsut was one of ancient Egypt's most successful pharaohs, ruling for over two decades. Though assigned female at birth, she assumed the full regalia and titles of a male king, including wearing a false beard. Her reign was marked by peace, architectural achievements, and prosperity. By transcending gender expectations, Hatshepsut exemplified divine leadership and gender fluidity. Her legacy endures as a timeless testament to the power of self-determination and sacred authority.

Saint Elagabalus (Patron of Non-Binary People & Gender Fluidity)
Born: c. 204 CE – Passed: March 11, 222 CE
✨ Remembrance Day: March 11
🌟 Symbol: Mirror
🔺 Color: Silver
Elagabalus was a Roman emperor known for their rejection of gender norms, preferring feminine dress and requesting to be referred to as a woman. Their reign, though brief and controversial, remains one of the earliest known instances of gender fluid identity in history. Elagabalus challenged imperial tradition, introduced Eastern spiritual practices, and lived openly outside binary gender roles. They remain a symbol of divine fluidity and fearless authenticity.

Saint Lou Sullivan (Patron of Trans History & Documenting Our Stories)
Born: June 16, 1951 – Passed: March 2, 1991
✨ Remembrance Day: March 2
📄 Symbol: Journal
🔸 Color: Teal
Lou Sullivan was a white transgender man, writer, and pioneering activist who founded FTM International, the first peer-support group for trans men. He was among the first to publicly identify as a gay trans man and advocated for inclusive medical and social recognition. Lou kept detailed journals documenting his transition, sexuality, and experiences—creating a vital record of trans male history. His work laid the foundation for countless others to live fully and visibly.

Saint Xulhaz Mannan (Patron of LGBTQ+ Journalism & Free Speech)
Born: c. 1976 – Passed: April 25, 2016
✨ Remembrance Day: April 25
🌐 Symbol: Quill and globe
🔲 Color: Emerald
Xulhaz Mannan was a Bangladeshi activist, writer, and co-founder of "Roopbaan," the country’s first and only LGBTQ+ magazine. He worked as a U.S. Embassy employee and advocated for queer visibility in one of the world’s most dangerous places to be openly LGBTQ+. He was murdered by extremists for his activism. Xulhaz's bravery, creativity, and love for his community live on as a beacon for freedom of expression and safety for LGBTQ+ voices worldwide.

Saint Sophie Lancaster (Patron of Alternative Expression & Protection of the Marginalized)
Born: November 26, 1986 – Passed: August 24, 2007
✨ Remembrance Day: August 24
💖 Symbol: Black rose
🔴 Color: Black
Sophie Lancaster was a young British woman who was attacked and killed for her goth appearance, a victim of hate for simply being different. In her memory, the Sophie Lancaster Foundation was established to challenge prejudice and promote tolerance. Sophie’s story represents all who are targeted for their alternative style, beliefs, or identities. Her spirit calls us to honor diversity, protect the misunderstood, and stand boldly in our truth.