Allen Turing

Allen Turing was a computer scientist that was crucial in the deciphering of the Nazi code language Enigma.  
Turing created an electromechanical machine that was that helped break codes more efficiently than the polish bomba kryptologiczna.. The bombe, as it was called, became one of the primary tools used to attack Engima-enciphered messages. 

In 1942, Turing devised a technique that could be used against the Lorenz cipher messages produced by the Germans new secret writer machine  This was a teleprinter rotor cipher attachment codenamed Tunny at Bletchley Park. Turingery was a method of wheel-breaking.

Unfortunately, due to the secretive nature of his work, Turing was not able to publicize his strides in computing techniques. 

Ten years after his discoveries in computer science, Turing was convicted for indecency because of a homosexual relationship that he had began with a 19 year old man. He was order to undergo hormonal treatments that were designed to decrease his libido. It is believed that these treatments caused Turing to become impotent and that his inhumane treatment resulted in his suicide on June 8, 1954.

The horrific treatment of Allen Turing is a powerful example of the destructive nature of homophobia. Maybe if Allen Turing hadn't been subjected to such humiliating tests he would have lived long enough to further revolutionize computing.

Source: Allen Touring