LGBT Heroes to Remember

On the following pages, read about acts of bravery by LGBT Americans, some of who have shaped the course of history. All came to the aide of another person in imminent danger, including young Allan Fonseca who guided customers to safety during a mall shooting in Oregon. We welcome suggestions for other LGBT people who deserve their own medal of honor; send to newsroom@advocate.com.

BY Neal Broverman

August 05 2011 6:00 AM ET UPDATED: December 13 2012 4:00 PM ET

GAY HEROES DANIEL HERNANDEZ X560 (GETTY IMAGES) | ADVOCATE.COM

Daniel Hernandez Jr.

As an intern with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, 20-year-old Daniel Hernandez Jr. was only five days on the job when tragedy struck. On January 8, Gifford and her team set up a booth in front of an Arizona supermarket to talk to her constituents — Jared Lee Loughner walked up to the booth, shot Giffords in the head, and then turned his gun on the crowd, ultimately killing five people. Hernandez, a certified nursing assistant, sprung to action: He wrapped Safeway aprons around Giffords's head and sat her upright so she didn't drown in her blood. Hernandez held Giffords's hand as she was wheeled on a gurney toward an ambulance — he told her not to worry, he would contact her husband and parents. Hernandez’s quick actions helped save the congresswoman’s life. Unlike Sipple, Hernandez was embraced as a gay hero — and even threw out the opening pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Phoenix.