The T-shirt is a part of Americana, and nowhere is this reflected more than in the gay and lesbian community's struggle for civil rights. Through imagination, wit, and a passion for equality, the activists who wrote, designed-and more importantly-wore the shirts helped define a movement. From the sad to the troubling, the poignant to the humorous, this is the definitive pop culture chronicler of our lives.

Steve Gdula has written for Details, The Advocate, and The Washington Post. He plans to develop Wearing History into an art exhibit, which would tour the country and be available online.