In a year already marked by many challenges, 2026 has also been defined by a series of heartbreaking losses.

The LGBTQIA+ community has said goodbye to beloved, trailblazing entertainers and storytellers, as well as outspoken allies who consistently used their platforms to advocate for equality. Their work made audiences laugh, feel seen, and, in many cases, feel less alone.

Here, we remember the LGBTQIA+ icons and allies who have passed away this year and the legacies they leave behind.

Rick Garcia

Rick Garcia died of heart failure on 12 January 2026 at the age of 69.