The Pride Power List is the definitive guide to those in the LGBTQI community – and our allies – who are dedicated to working towards true LGBTQI equality and inclusion.
Although Britain (but not Northern Ireland) enjoys some of the most progressive equality legislation on the planet, workplace equality, equal marriage and the right to adopt children – while important – have not been able to wipe out homophobia. Homophobic and transphobic hate crimes are on the rise, Twitter is often a cesspool of gay hatred and parents are openly objecting to their children being taught that not all relationships involve one man and one woman.
That’s why the Pride Power List is more important than ever. We believe that by shining a light on those who are prepared to stand up and be counted, we encourage others to do the same. People in the public eye – whether politicians, musicians, media personalities, writers, sportspeople or business leaders – have a platform, and everyone at the Pride Power List thanks every single name featured here for using that platform for the common good.
1. Ruth Hunt
Chief Executive, Stonewall
Ruth Hunt’s impact and legacy extends far beyond her time leading Stonewall. In 2005, Hunt joined Stonewall as Senior Policy Officer and led on crucial work which formed the basis of S
tonewall's research into homophobic bullying in schools. After holding other positions in the company, in 2013, she was named as Deputy Chief Executive, overseeing the strategic development and delivery of Stonewall's policy, research, campaigns and information functions. She’s recently announced she'll be stepping down from her role as Chief Executive. The work that Ruth Hunt has done for trans equality and as an ally of people of colour during her time at the helm of this groundbreaking organisation leaves a legacy of great importance that has helped to create real change for the trans and PoC communities in the UK and further afield.
2. Sir Ian McKellen, CH, CBE
Actor and LGBT rights advocate
One of the most successful actors and biggest advocates for LGBTQI rights in British history, Sir Ian McKellen came out as gay in 1988 just after Section 28 had been passed. Co-founder of LGBTQI rights organisation, Stonewall, McKellen is also patron of numerous LGBTQI charities and organisations.
3. Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
Co-Founder, UK Black Pride
@MsLadyPhyll
Former head of equality at PCS Union, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah stepped down in 2019 to take up a new role as Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust. A passionate changemaker, "Lady Phyll" is also co-founder and executive director of UK Black Pride, a DIVA magazine columnist and an award-winning activist.
4. Owen Jones
Columnist, author, commentator and political activist
@OwenJones84
Owen Jones is a newspaper columnist and political commentator. He is currently a columnist for the Guardian. Jones uses his influence to defend LGBTQI rights in the media and is the author of two books, The Establishment: And How They Get Away With It and Chavs: The Demonisation Of The Working Class.
5. Peter Tatchell
LGBT campaigner and activist
@PeterTatchell
A tireless campaigner, Peter Tatchell has been fighting for LGBTQI and human rights for the last 50 years. Tatchell took part in the UK's first-ever Gay Pride march – which was made up of just 700 people. He is the founder and director of human rights organisation, The Peter Tatchell Foundation.
6. Sandi Toksvig OBE
Writer, actor, comedian, presenter and producer
@sanditoksvig
Sandi Toksvig is a lifelong campaigner for LGBTQI rights, women’s rights, civil liberty and education, and a co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party. Co-host of the Great British Bake Off, Sandi has received numerous awards including Broadcaster of the Year at the DIVA Awards 2019.
7. Michael Cashman CBE
Labour Peer, actor, former MEP and LGBT+ campaigner
@mcashmanCBE
Lord Cashman has been an integral figure in the fight for LGBTQI rights for more than 30 years. One of the founders of the LGBTQI rights organisation, Stonewall, Lord Cashman famously appeared in EastEnders in the 80s and was the first person to portray a same-sex kiss on mainstream TV – an incredibly brave move for an actor at that time.
8. Munroe Bergdorf
DJ, activist and feminist
@MunroeBergdorf
Model and trans activist Munroe Bergdorf was named as Marie Claire’s New Beauty Icon in its Redefining Beauty feature, as well as one of ES Magazine’s New Feminist Icons. In addition to modelling, Bergdorf appears regularly in the media discussing both trans and race-related issues and has been a columnist for several national magazines.
9. Edward Enninful OBE
Editor-in-Chief, British Vogue
@Edward_Enninful
Fashion editor Edward Enninful became the first gay editor of British Vogue in 2017. He was a Top 10 Broadcaster and Presenter at the British LGBT Awards in 2017. In 2018, he invited Paris Lees to be part of a cover story feature, marking the first time an openly transgender woman had appeared on the cover of the world-famous magazine.
10. Liz Carr
Actor, comedian and disability rights campaigner
@thelizcarr
In 2013, actor, comedian and activist Liz Carr joined long-running BBC crime thriller series Silent Witness as regular character, Clarissa Mullery. She also created, wrote and performed in the show, Assisted Suicide: The Musical. For over 20 years, Liz has been an active campaigner for disability and LGBTQI rights in the UK. She also recently starred as Dr. Marlow Rhodes in The OA.
11. Clare Balding OBE
Broadcaster, journalist and author
@ClareBalding
Clare Balding is one of Britain’s leading broadcasters. She has worked on several Olympic Games, four Paralympics and three Winter Olympics, as well as racing for both the BBC and Channel 4. Clare has been the deserving recipient of many highly acclaimed awards including a BAFTA, a TRIC Award and more. She regularly attends LGBTQI industry events.
12. Graham Norton
Television and radio presenter, comedian and actor
@grahnort
Graham Norton uses his platform and influence to speak out against LGBTQI injustice, putting his name to the successful marriage equality campaigns in both Ireland and Australia. An award-winning broadcaster, Norton will be one of the resident judges on the UK version of RuPaul's Drag Race when it hits screens later this year.
13. Gok Wan
Fashion consultant, author and television presenter
@therealgokwan
Presenter and author Gok Wan has used his television fame to lend his support to LGBTQI and anti-bullying charities. He hosted the 2017 Attitude Pride Awards and regularly appears as a fashion expert on This Morning where he helps viewers to explore their style and achieve body confidence.
14. Saara Aalto
Singer and musician
@SaaraAalto
Pop princess Saara Aalto is perhaps best known for being the runner up on the UK X Factor in 2016. Subsequently, she became the most Googled person in her homeland, Finland, in both 2016 and 2017. She also voiced Princess Anna in the Finnish version of the hit film Frozen and recently starred as a guest alongside Desiree Akhavan and Alicia Eyo on brand new lez/bi chat show, Heather Peace Live At The Bedford.
15. Mhairi Black
Scottish MP
@MhairiBlack
Entering parliament in 2015, Black was the youngest MP to be elected in over 100 years. Black uses her position to advocate for LGBTQI rights. In a 2018 poll to mark the 100-year anniversary of some women getting the right to vote, she was voted the second most influential woman in Britain.
16. Heather Peace
Actor, musician and LGBT rights activist
@heatherpeace
Longtime celesbian Heather Peace really captured our hearts as Sam in Lip Service and has regularly appeared on TV since, with guest roles in shows including Holby City and Silent Witness. When she's not acting, Peace is making music or working on the DIVA Music Festival, currently in its second year.
17. Nicola Adams OBE
Professional Boxer
@NicolaAdamsOBE
Nicola Adams was the first openly LGBTQI person to win an Olympic gold medal in 2012. She has Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European Games titles at fly weight. She was awarded an OBE for services to boxing in the 2017 New Year’s Honours. Adams also actively promotes LGBTQI inclusion in sport.
18. Liv Little
Founder, gal-dem
@LivLittle
Founding editor-in-chief of the award-winning magazine, gal-dem, Liz Little graced the cover of DIVA Unity Issue in October 2018 and, just a month later, picked up the Gay Times Honour For Media. She’s also been named as a #BBC100Women, which shares inspirational, difficult and surprising stories from women all over the world. Little regularly speaks on panels and at events across the country.
19. Stephen Fry
Actor, presenter, writer, comedian and activist
@StephenFry
Award-winning actor and campaigner, Fry is incredibly outspoken about LGBTQI rights. He was filmed for a documentary for BBC Two in which he travelled the world to look at the lives of LGBTQI people around the world, has appeared in films such as St Trinians, Alice in Wonderland and two of The Hobbit films and regularly supports LGBTQI organisations and events.
20. Anthony Watson
Founder and CEO, TBOL
@AnthonyWatson
CEO at TBOL, LGBTQI equality and human rights activist and Chair of Labour Business & Enterprise Council, Antony Watson was the first openly gay chief information officer at a Fortune 100 company and the first Briton to be appointed to the board of directors of GLAAD, the US-based LGBTQI organisation monitoring discrimination in the media. He is a Stonewall ambassador and a treasurer of the Albert Kennedy Trust.
21. Lord Alli
Media entrepreneur and politician
Lord Alli is one of only a few openly gay Muslim politicians in the world and one of the highest profile BAME LGBTQI politicians in the UK. He advocates for LGBTQI rights around the world, using his influence to inspire change at government level. He is also a member of the House of Lords.
22. Dawn Airey
Getty Images Board & NYT Chair
@dawn_airey
Dawn Airey has run major broadcasters and departments, including Channel Five, Sky One, Channel 4 Arts & Entertainment and ITV Children's Programming. She was a VP for EMAE at Yahoo and was CEO Getty Images, where she has remained on the board. She is Chair of the NYT and is on the board of Digital Theatre and Thomas Cook. She also continues to contribute to OUTstanding and Queer Britain events whilst effecting positive change towards LGBTQI inclusion in the workplace.
23. Alan Carr
Comedian, television personality and author
@AlanCarr
Leading chat show host and television presenter Alan Carr has been out and proud on British television screens for over a decade, winning legions of fans and awards with three arena tours, a radio show and his own TV chat show. He will join Graham Norton as a resident judge on the UK edition of RuPaul's Drag Race this year.
24. Cressida Dick
Comissioner, Metropolitan Police
Britain’s most senior police officer and Metropolitan Police commissioner, Cressida Dick became the first female, openly gay commissioner of the Met when she took over the role back in 2017. Since taking on the job, Cressida has pressed for an increase in female police officers, saying that she would like to see forces at 50/50, to have the “best of the best”.
25. Paris Lees
Journalist, presenter, feminist and transgender rights activist
@ParisLees
Paris Lees is a journalist, presenter and trans rights activist. She topped the Independent On Sunday’s 2013 Pink List, came second in the 2014 Rainbow List and was awarded the Positive Role Model Award for LGBT in the 2012 National Diversity Awards. She’s currently a columnist for British Vogue.
26. Hannah Bardell MP
SNP MP, Livingston Constituency
@HannahB4LiviMP
Hannah Bardell is a Scottish National Party politician and has served as an MP since 2015. Since 2018, she has been the SNP Spokesperson for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In 2017, Bardell presented a BBC documentary about the experiences of LGBTQI politicians. In 2018, she won the Politician of the Year Award at the DIVA Awards.
27. Lucy Spraggan
Singer and songwriter
@lspraggan
Spraggan competed on X Factor in 2012 as an openly gay woman and won legions of loyal fans. She consistently supports LGBTQI charities and Pride events, and uses her fame, and often her music, to highlight LGBTQI issues. In 2018, she won a DIVA Award for Musician of the Year.
28. Adele Roberts
Radio presenter and DJ
@AdeleRoberts
Adele Roberts presents BBC Radio 1’s Early Breakfast Show and has always been open about her sexuality on air. In 2017, she and her girlfriend, actor Kate Holderness, took part in the UK’s highest freefall abseil to raise money for Barnardos. Adele is also a keen runner and regularly raises money for charity.
29. Sara Geater
Chief Operating Officer, All3Media
@geater_sara
Sara Geater is COO of global media group All3Media. Previously CEO of Fremantle Media UK, Geater is an industry leader in broadcasting, TV and film from both business and creative perspectives having been Director of Commercial & Business Affairs and Head of Production at the BBC, Channel 4, HAL/Miramax and Avalon. A barrister and fellow of the RTS, Geater is Chair of the Producers Alliance for Cinema & TV, a Trustee for Debate Mate and on the Board of Governors for the National TV & Film School.
30. Alison Camps
Partner and Deputy Chairman, Quadrangle
@AliCamps
Alison Camps is Partner and Deputy Chairman at Quadrangle. She also volunteers her time as co-chair of Pride In London and is responsible for the award-winning marketing and advertising campaigns #NoFilter and #LoveHappensHere. In 2017, she was named Activist of the Year at the 2017 DIVA Awards.
31. Claire Harvey
Diversity & Inclusion Consultant
@harveysprout
Former GB Sitting Volleyball Paralympic champion Claire Harvey is now a diversity and inclusion expert working with businesses, universities and schools to create an inclusive culture. In 2017, she was awarded an MBE for her services to Diversity, Inclusion and Sport. Her previous roles saw her expertise in diversity being employed at the Criminal Justice System, KPMG, as a Changing Lives Champion at Youth Sport Trust and as CEO of LGBTQI organisation Diversity Role Models.
32. Charlie Condou
Actor and Columnist
@charliecondou
Charlie Condou is best known for his role on soap opera Coronation Street. He has been incredibly vocal in advocating for LGBTQI rights and is a patron of the Albert Kennedy Trust and Diversity Role Models. In 2014, he was nominated for the Advocate For Change award at the GLAAD awards.
33. Ruth Davidson
Scottish politician, leader of the Scottish Conservative Party
@RuthDavidsonMSP
Named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people 2018, MSP and leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Ruth Davidson, was the first openly gay leader of a major UK political party when she ran in the 2011 Scottish parliament election. In October 2018, Davidson and her partner Jen Wilson had their first child together, Finn.
34. Mark Feehily
Musician
@MarkusFeehily
Feehily is the lead vocalist in Westlife who made a sensational return to the music scene in 2018. He is also an artist and advocate for LGBTQI rights, announcing his engagement to longterm partner Cailean O’Neill at the end of last year.
35. Dr Ranj Singh
TV presenter, author, columnist and doctor
@DrRanj
Resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning, Dr Singh often discusses the issue of LGBTQI acceptance in the Asian community. He has a regular column in Attitude Magazine and champions LGBTQI physical and mental health needs across his social media platforms. In 2018, Singh was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
36. Jane Hill
BBC journalist and broadcaster
@JaneHillNews
Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Jane Hill came out in the BBC’s staff magazine just under a decade ago and has been advocating for better LGBTQI representation ever since. She has worked for the BBC since 1991 and is one of the main presenters for the BBC News Channel. In 2019, she returned to work after undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
37. Olly Alexander
Singer, songwriter and actor
@alexander_olly
Olly Alexander is lead singer of Years & Years and a former Skins actor. He has spoken out about a wide range of LGBTQI issues, including homophobic bullying and the need for better LGBTQI inclusion in Sex and Relationships Education at school, and made the widely viewed 2017 BBC documentary, Growing Up Gay.
38. Chardine Taylor-Stone
Cultural producer, writer and activist
@misschazmatazz
Chardine Taylor-Stone is an award-winning writer, cultural producer, feminist activist and founder of Stop Rainbow Racism. She has spoken on these topics for Channel 4 News, BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, London Live and Ted X Tottenham. In 2017, Taylor-Stone won the British LGBT Award for Outstanding Contribution To LGBT+ Life.
39. Tim Jarman
Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusiveness, EY
@TimJarman
Tim Jarman is the Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusivity at EY and regularly speaks at diversity conferences. He is a member of the Steering Committee for National Student Pride and the global Advisory Board of the IDAHOT Committee. Jarman has been consistently featured in LGBTQI power and diversity professional lists over the last few years.
40. Amy Lamé
Writer, performer, presenter and London's night Czar
@amylame
Amy Lamé is a BBC Radio 6 presenter, writer and performer with LGBTQI-themed media works. She co-founded the hugely successful Olivier-award-winning performance-club-night and collective, Duckie, which earned her the position of London Night Czar in 2016. She has also written a queer history book for children, From Prejudice to Pride: A History of the LGBTQ+ Movement.
41. Evan Davis
Presenter, economist and author
@EvanHD
Newsnight, Dragons' Den and the BBC’s Today Programme presenter Evan Davis has been openly out as gay throughout his career, as well as supporting LGBTQI charities and organisations. In 2016, he won the LGBT Broadcaster/Presenter Award at the British LGBT Awards. He is currently the presenter of the BBC Radio 4 PM programme.
42. Annie Wallace
Actor
@AnnieWallace
In 2016, Hollyoaks star Wallace became the first transgender actor to receive a BAFTA nomination. She was also the first transgender person to play a trans character in a UK soap opera, marking a historic moment in trans visibility. She donates her time to Manchester’s Gayfest, Mardi Gras and Pride.
43. Kiki Archer
Author
@Kikiarcherbooks
Kiki Archer is a best-selling lesbian fiction novelist and author of 10 books. She won the Independent Author of the Year Award in the 2013 Ultimate Planet Awards and was a Lambda Literary Award finalist in 2017. In 2018, she won Author of the Year at the DIVA Awards. Earlier this year, she announced her latest book, Say You'll Love Me Again, will be her last.
44. Bobby Cole Norris
TV Personality and presenter
@BobbyCNorris
Bobby Cole Norris is best known from The Only Way Is Essex. He was open about his sexuality while on TOWIE and has also publicly defended gay rights. Norris has supported LGBTQI organisation RUComingOut and, in 2017, became Celeb’s Go Dating’s first LGBTQI contestant.
45. Horse McDonald
Singer and songwriter
@horsemusic
Scottish singer-songwriter Horse McDonald has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQI rights throughout her career and has been called an "LGBT hero" by MSP Angela Crawley. She is a patron of LGBTQI helpline, Switchboard. In 2018, she won the coveted DIVA Hall Of Fame Award.
46. Susan Calman
Comedian, television presenter, writer
@SusanCalman
Comedian, writer and TV personality Susan Calman caused quite the stir when she starred on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, but she soon put paid to her detractors with a series of wonderful performances in what she describes as a “life-changing experience”. Creating joy in the lives of many and inspiring even more, Susan, a former DIVA columnist and regular on BBC Radio 4, continues to be an important LGBTQI role model.
47. Dr Elly Barnes MBE
CEO and Founder, Educate & Celebrate
@elly_barnes
Dr Elly Barnes MBE is founder and chief executive of the charity Educate & Celebrate – an organisation that works to transform schools into LGBTQI-friendly institutions, as well as working to tackle homophobic bullying. She was previously named the most influential LGBTQI person in Britain in the Independent On Sunday’s Rainbow List.
48. Ollie Locke
Television personality, presenter and writer
@ollielocke
Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke regularly supports the LGBTQI community and has spoken out about the difficulty of coming out as gay. In 2017, he co-founded a gay dating app, Chappy. This year he landed a role in the film Greed, which is currently in post-production.
49. Angela Eagle
MP for Wallasey, Labour Party
@angelaeagle
Angela Eagle was the first MP to come out in 1997, and has been an active and successful champion of LGBTQI rights in parliament, helping to push through key pieces of legislation for equality. In 2015, she became the first LGBTQI MP to front Prime Minister’s questions. She is currently the Labour MP for Wallasey.
50. Brian Ashmead-Siers
Partner, PwC
@AshmeadSiers
Brian Ashmead-Siers is a partner at PwC in the midlands. He is passionate about LGBTQI inclusion and is the lead partner sponsor for PwC’s LGBTQI network. He is also co-founder of The Alliance Network – a professional LGBTQI network based in Birmingham. Notably, he was a judge for both the 2018 and 2019 British LGBT Awards.
51. Reeta Loi
Writer, musician and activist
@r_e_e_t_a_
Reeta Loi is co-founder and CEO of Gaysians.org, an umbrella organisation representing the interests of the British Asian LGBTQI community. She writes a monthly column for DIVA magazine and also sits on DIVA Media Group's Advisory Board. In 2018, she featured on the Forbes 100 Women Founders In Europe To Follow list.
52. Sophie Anna Ward
Actor and author
@sophieannaward
Sophie Ward was one of the first actors to come out as a lesbian in the UK and has been a lifelong campaigner for LGBTQI rights. Recognised at the Woman Of The Year Awards in 2014, in 2018, she won Inspirational Role Model of the Year at the DIVA Awards.
53. Vincent Francois
Regional Chief Auditor Executive, Societe Generale
@vflondon
Vincent Francois is the Regional Chief Audit Executive at Societe Generale. He also founded the LGBTQI network at Societe Generale in 2010 and is a member of the company’s diversity committee. Francois has been instrumental in the company’s support of many LGBTQI events and charities.
54. Jack Monroe
Best selling author and activist
@BootstrapCook
Jack Monroe is a British food writer, journalist and activist known for campaigning on poverty issues – particularly hunger relief. Monroe initially rose to prominence for writing a blog titled A Girl Called Jack (now renamed Cooking On A Bootstrap) and has since published several cookbooks including the most recent, Tin Can Cook.
55. Baroness Liz Barker
House of Lords, Liberal Democrats
@LizBarkerLords
Liberal Democrat life peer and Lords Spokesperson for the Voluntary Sector, Baroness Barker came out as lesbian during a powerful speech in the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill debate. She is a Patron of Opening Doors London and an Ambassador for the Albert Kennedy Trust.
56. Benjamin Butterworth
Journalist, i newspaper
@benjaminbutter
Benjamin Butterworth is a journalist who uses his platform within the media to campaign for LGBTQI equality. He has written columns for The i on LGBTQI issues, worked to counter the anti-trans narrative, and is a commentator on LGBTQI rights on platforms as wide-reaching as Sky News, Good Morning Britain, LBC and talkRADIO.
57. Dr Liam Hackett
Founder and CEO, Ditch The Label
@DiageoLiam
Liam Hackett is CEO of anti-bullying charity Ditch The Label, one of the largest pro-equality and anti-bullying charities in the world, which now operates in the UK, US and Mexico. Hackett regularly comments on homophobic cyber-bullying in international news. In 2017, he became the youngest recipient of an honorary degree from the University Of Sussex.
58. Pema Radha
Chief of Staff to Global Head of Managed Services, EY
@LondonWarbler
Pema Radha is the chief of staff to the global head of managed services at EY and the co-chair of EY’s LGBTQI network, Unity UK&I. She is an LBWomen ambassador – a not-for-profit, multi-identity initiative. She is also an active supporter of the charity Stonewall.
59. Mark McLane
Head of Diversity and Inclusion, M&GPrudential
@MQMcLane
Mark McLane is the newly appointed Head of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) for M&GPrudential. Prior to this role, McLane was Global Head of D&I for Barclays where he developed and deployed a business-aligned Global D&I Strategy covering over 50 countries and 140,000 employees.
60. Bisi Alimi
Gay rights activist, public speaker and blogger
@bisialimi
Nigerian gay rights and HIV activist Bisi Alimi was the first person to come out as gay on Nigerian television. He is the executive director of the Bisi Alimi Foundation, co-founder and director of Rainbow Intersection and co-founder of the The Kaleidoscope Trust.
61. Julie Wilson
CEO, Optimus cards
Julie Wilson is CEO of Optimus cards and co-founder of the DIVA Music Festival alongside Heather Peace. She is a panellist for the European LGBT Business Innovation Awards and Ambassador for Leading Executive Women In Fintech. Wilson advocates for an inclusive working environment and founded the Pride In Equality Card, the UK’s only LGBTQI inclusion payments provision.
62. Mary Portas
Broadcaster and TV personality
@MaryPortas
TV personality Mary Portas made her first television appearance as a guest on Richard & Judy in 2005. Since then, she’s had several of her own series, opened a charity-oriented store and a store in collaboration with House Of Fraser. In 2011, she was named the sixth most influential person in fashion by Drapers.
63. Val McDermid FRSE, FRSL
Author
@valmcdermid
Award-winning Scottish crime writer Val McDermid is best known for her hugely popular suspense novels. She regularly writes to raise awareness of LGBTQI rights issues and raises money for charities including LGBT Youth Scotland. In 2016, she presented a series charting the history of same-sex relationships for the BBC’s Gay Britannia season.
64. Michael Salter-Church MBE
Co-Chair, Pride in London
Michael Salter-Church is a former aide to David Cameron and government advisor on LGBTQI issues. He has been a driving force behind Pride In London as their co-chair. He regularly campaigns for LGBTQI rights and, in 2015, was awarded an MBE for public service.
65. Ryan Atkin
Professional referee
@RyanAtkin
Professional referee Ryan Atkin is the first publicly out official in British football. He has spoken openly about being a gay man in football in the hopes that others will be able to follow in his footsteps. He is a supporter and Sports Champion for Stonewall.
66. Kelly Simmons MBE
FA Director, Women’s Professional Game
@KellySimmo1
Kelly is responsible for the implementation of The FA’s Game Changer programme which outlines plans for women’s football, including the development of the new semi-professional FA Women’s Super League. Kelly also received an MBE for her services to football in 2002.
67. Wes Streeting
Politician, Labour party
@wesstreeting
In his previous role as Head of Education at Stonewall, Streeting worked to tackle homophobia in schools. He is a Labour MP and was endorsed by LGBTQI rights activist Sir Ian McKellen in the 2017 General Election. Formerly, he was the National President of the National Union of Students.
68. Ryan John Butcher
Journalist
@ryanjohnbutcher
Ryan John Butcher is a print and online journalist with more than 10 years experience and bylines in publications including the Lincolnshire Echo and The Sun, where he covered news and showbiz. Former Deputy Editor of Gay Times, a position he held for five years, Ryan is now editor of indy100, writing and commissioning on a variety of topics including entertainment, politics and LGBTQ issues.
69. Andy Woodfield
Partner, PwC
@andy_woodfield
Founder of LGBT Network SHINE@PwC, Woodfield is chief sales and marketing officer at PwC – the most senior out role model at PwC UK. Since 2015 he has been a judge for the Excellence In Diversity Awards and is a trustee of charity Diversity Role Models.
70. Charlie Craggs
Trans activist and author
@charlie_craggs
Charlie Craggs is a trans activist and founder of the award-winning campaign, Nail Transphobia, which delivers manicures while educating people on trans issues. She also edited a compilation of essays called To My Trans Sisters, focusing on advice from almost 100 trans women, from politicians and musicians to models.
71. Dan Hughes
PR Specialist
@DanHughesOnline
Dan Hughes is the founder of Daniel Hughes PR, a leading LGBTQI PR firm which manages the British LGBT Awards’ and DIVA Awards’ PR. He is a former TV publicist and has advised the Labour Party on communications. In 2018, he was nominated for a Chartered Institute Of Public Relations award.
72. Dolly Rose Campbell
Actor
@Dolly_campbell
Actor Dolly-Rose Campbell plays Gemma Winter in long-running ITV soap, Coronation Street. She came out as bisexual in February of this year after becoming an ambassador for Manchester Pride and continues to be a role model for the community.
73. Suki Sandhu OBE
Founder and CEO, Involve and Audeliss
@mrsukisandhu
Suki Sandu is the founder and CEO at Involve and Audeliss, making him one of the UK’s leading specialists in diversity. He is also a Stonewall Ambassador and supports numerous LGBTQI charities. Sandu also received an OBE for services to diversity in business in the New Year’s Honours List 2019.
74. Charlie King
Celebrity personal trainer and columnist
@CharlieKing85
Charlie King is best known for The Only Way Is Essex, and came out as gay on ITV’s This Morning shortly after leaving the reality show. A celebrity personal trainer, King also wrote a column for Gay Times for two years. He made a guest return to TOWIE in 2017.
75. David Ames
Actor
@semadivad
Actor David Ames is best known for his role as Dominic Copeland on the BBC’s Holby City. He first featured in the TV Show in 2013. The Attitude magazine cover star has been vocal about being an out actor on British television, as well as being featured in Gay Times.
76. Emma Woollcott
Partner, Mishcon de Reya
@ecwoollcott
Emma Woollcott ranked in the Telegraph’s LGBT Top 50 Executives in 2015 and 2016, and was celebrated in the Pride Power List 2016 and 2017. She founded Mishcon’s Pride Network and set up the firm’s sponsorship of Pink Law, a pro bono legal advice service available to the LGBTQI community.
77. Polly Shute
Partnership director, Parallel Lifestyle
@shute_polly
Polly Shute is an inclusion specialist. Currently, she is partnership director at Parallel Lifestyle and the former director of sponsorships and partnerships at Pride In London. She has broad experience of the charity sector, having worked with charities including the British Heart Foundation and Vinspired.
78. Kezia Dugdale
Director, John Smith Centre
@kezdugdale
Kezia Dugdale was the leader of the Scottish Labour party from 2015 to 2017. She also appeared on a BBC documentary about the experiences of LGBTQI politicians in 2017, as well as taking part in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here as a contestant. She resigned as a MSP earlier this year and starts her new role as Director of John Smith Centre in 2019.
79. Cliff Joannou
Editor in Chief, Attitude Magazine
@CliffJoannou
Cliff Joannou has been Editor in Chief of Attitude magazine since 2015. He regularly uses his platform to highlight LGBTQI issues and raise awareness for the wider community.
80. Jacqui Gavin
Diversity & Inclusion Centre of Excellence Manager, Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion
@jacqui_gavin
Jacqui Gavin, is a trans activist who has been a driving force behind improving transgender issues across Whitehall and the wider workplace. Jacqui was the first ever chair of the Transgender Network within DWP, followed by Chair of ‘a:gender’, the cross-government support network for transgender and intersex civil servants. Outside of the civil service, Jacqui is a speaker and ambassador for several LGBT charities, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the importance of eradicating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in schools.
81. Jodie Taylor
Professional footballer
@JodieTaylor
Jodie Taylor is a professional footballer with more than 45 caps for England. Golden Boot winner in 2017, Taylor has scored 18 goals for her country, including the winning goal against Argentina in the group stage of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The former Arsenal player currently plays club football for Melbourne City.
82. Mark Anderson
CEO of Connect Airways, responsible for the growth of Flybe and Stobart Air airlines
@MAvhols
Mark Anderson is CEO of Connect Airways, responsible for the growth of Flybe and Stobart Air airlines. Until earlier this year he was executive vice president of customer services at Virgin Atlantic Airways and a founding member of the TTG LGBT Network. He was a judge for the British LGBT Awards for two years and was featured on the 2017 & 2018 OUTStanding Leading LGBT Executives List.
83. Sue Sanders
Professor & Chair, Schools Out
@suesanders03
Sue Sanders is a professor at the largest queer studies institute in the world and has been fighting to progress LGBTQI rights for the last four decades. She is the founder of the annual LGBT History Month and is also a chair of the organisation, Schools OUT UK. She has advised various government bodies on LGBTQI issues and continues to do so.
84. Daniel Lismore
Artist, designer, writer
@daniellismore
Daniel Lismore is an artist, designer, celebrity stylist, writer and campaigner named by British Vogue as “England’s most outrageous dresser”. A walking piece of queer art, Lismore has exhibited his creations across the country and is also the author of Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Already Taken.
85. Simon Jones
PR Specialist
@simonjonespr
Simon Jones has worked as one of the UK's leading publicists for over 20 years providing full media profile management across print media, online and broadcast. His clients include Little Mix, James Arthur, Ant & Dec, Myleene Klass and Fearne Cotton.
86. Ian Massa-Harris-McFeely
Events Producer, voice coach and makeup artist
@ianmh
Ian Massa-Harris-McFeely is the deputy director of Pride In London. In 2014, he produced the first-ever Pride’s Got Talent, an inclusive talent competition for Pride In London and the LGBTQI community. He is also Head of Operations and Events at W.I.G., a fundraising organisation which aims to improve the quality of life of those living with HIV and AIDS.
87. Justine Greening
Conservative Party politician
@JustineGreening
Conservative politician Greening has been MP for Putney since 2005. In 2016, on the day of Pride In London, she tweeted that she was in a happy, same-sex relationship making her the first openly LGBTQI woman to serve in the UK cabinet.
88. Darren Styles OBE
Publisher, Attitude magazine
@bydarrenstyles
Darren Styles is the publisher and owner of Attitude Magazine. He is a patron of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and has been featured on the OUTstanding List Of Leading LGBT Executives. He supports the Peter Tatchell Foundation, the Albert Kennedy Trust and founded the Attitude Magazine Foundation.
89. Rikki Beadle-Blair
actor, director, screenwriter, singer, choreographer and songwriter
@RikkiBB
Rikki Beadle-Blair is the creator of award-winning documentaries, plays and performances focusing on LGBTQI and Black communities. He wrote Stonewall for BBC films and, in 2016, was awarded an MBE for his services to drama. He is the creative director of entertainment company, Team Angelica.
90. Lord Collins
Labour peer and LGBT rights advocate
@Lord_Collins
Lord Collins of Highbury is a British life peer and patron of LGBT Labour who has been outspoken on LGBTQI rights in parliament – particularly during the Marriage (same-sex couples) Bill debate.
91. Jen Brister
Comedian, writer and actor
@JenBrister
Jen Brister is a regular performer on both the UK and international comedy circuits. Last year, she toured her show Meaningless around the UK on a sell-out run supporting fellow stand up, Frankie Boyle. Brister, who returns to the circuit this summer with her new show Under Privileged, also hosts an award-winning podcast alongside Maureen Younger.
92. Russell T Davis
Screenwriter
The BAFTA-winning screenwriter is best known for his LGBTQI dramas, Queer As Folk, Cucumber, Tofu & Banana and has also written for the Doctor Who series. At the 2017 British LGBT Awards, he won the Lifetime Achievement award and gave a powerful acceptance speech on the importance of fighting for LGBTQI rights. In 2008, he was appointed an OBE.
93. Amrou Al-Kadhi
Writer, performer and filmmaker
@Glamrou
Amrou Al-Kadhi is a British Iraqi writer, performer, filmmaker and drag queen whose debut book, Unicorn, is due for publication in October this year. Selected as one of six of BFI Flare's emerging filmmakers of 2017, several of Al-Kadhi's features are currently in development, including Layla, and Molly Boy.
94. Pav Akhtar
Co-founder and director of strategy, UK Black Pride
@pav_akhtar
Pav Akhtar has been an LGBTQI rights activist for over two decades. He is co-founder and director of strategy at UK Black Pride and has advised the Mayor Of London, served on the board of Pride In London and also Imaan, the Muslim LGBTQI group.
95. Tag Warner
CEO, Gay Times
@tagwarner
Tag Warner became CEO of global media company and publisher Gay Times in January 2019. In June 2019, in partnership with human rights charity GiveOut, he was instrumetal in launching Amplifund supporting LGBTQI activism in the media to help increase the acceptance of LGBTQI communities around the world.
96. Dr Catherine Lee
Deputy Dean, Anglia Ruskin University
@DrCatherineLee
Dr Catherine Lee is the deputy dean for education at Anglia Ruskin University. She has advised the DofE on LGBTQI equality and diversity and is a mentor on the LGBT Courageous Leaders programme – the UK’s only LGBTQI teacher leadership programme. LGBTQI diversity and inclusion is her speciality.
97. Suzi Ruffell
Comedian
@suziruffell
Stand-up comedian and podcaster Suzi Ruffell uses comedy as a platform for her LGBTQI activism. Her solo show, Keeping It Classy had a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival. Ruffell also donates her time to Stonewall and various other LGBTQI organisations and is about to tour with her new summer 2019 show, Dance Like Everybody's Watching.
98. Scott McGlynn
Presenter, blogger and author
@ScottyMcGlynn
In 2016, author and journalist Scott McGlynn published his book, Out, about his experiences of growing up gay in a small, Welsh town. He also presents a regular showbiz and LGBTQI podcast, the Scotty McGlynn Show. He is currently in the process of writing his second book.
99. Mridul Wadhwa
Trans rights campaigner
@mridul_wadhwa
Mridul Wadhwa is a trans rights campaigner who has worked in the violence against women sector in Scotland since 2005. Manager at the Forth Valley Rape Crisis centre, Wadhwa also works to further the rights of BAME people, migrants and trans women and children.
100. Dotty
Radio presenter
@AmplifyDot
Dotty is a rapper and broadcaster from south London. She has been a radio presenter on BBC Radio 1Xtra since 2014 and co-presenter of the BBC One show Sounds Like Friday Night since October 2017. She also presented at 2019's BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film
ALLIES
Dawn Butler
British Labour Party politician
@DawnButlerBrent
Dawn Butler is the MP for the hugely diverse constituency of Brent South and is the Labour Party’s Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities. Responsible for setting up Labour’s LGBT Advisory Board, she is a vocal and highly visible supporter of LGBTQI rights.
Denise Welch
Actor and television presenter
@RealDeniseWelch
Actor Denise Welch is best known for her starring roles in Coronation Street, Soldier Soldier, Benidorm, Waterloo Road and countless other TV classics. Winner of the 2017 DIVA Award for Ally of the Year, Denise campaigns actively for LGBTQI equality and inclusion and uses her voice on shows such as Loose Women to help promote LGBTQ rights.
HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
British royal family
Picking up the mantle from his late mother, Diana Princess of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge’s support of the LGBTQI community is something which is noted all over the world. His Royal Highness won the Straight Ally of the Year Award at the 2017 British LGBT Awards and during a recent visit to the Albert Kennedy Trust announced that he would be “absolutely fine” with any of his children coming out as LGBTQI.
Jeremy Vine
Presenter, broadcaster and journalist
@theJeremyVine
The former Newsnight presenter and Strictly contestant, Jeremy Vine is best known for his eponymous shows on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 5. A much respected broadcaster, Vine leverages his influence and popularity to promote LGBTQI inclusion.
Lorraine Kelly OBE
Presenter and journalist
@reallorraine
A true TV icon across four decades, and currently presenting the show Lorraine on ITV, Lorraine Kelly has always been a friend of the LGBTQI community, winning the “Honorary Gay Award” at the 2015 Attitude Awards. She was made an OBE is 2012.
Matty Healy
Musician
@Truman_Black
Lead singer of The 1975, Matty Healy is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights. The winner of the 2019 DIVA “Ally of the Year” Award, Healy leverages press interest in his pop career to reinforce his commitment to LGBT inclusion in interviews ranging from the NME to The Guardian.
Penny Mourdaunt
Secretary of State for Defence
@PennyMordaunt
Secretary of State for Defence in the British Government since 2019 and a Royal Navy Reservist. Mordaunt also serves as Minister of Women & Equalities and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. Outside politics, Mordaunt has worked as an aid worker in post-Communist Romania and as a Director of Diabetes UK.
Sadiq Kahn
Mayor of London
@SadiqKhan
The first Mayor of London to march at Pride In London, Sadiq Khan is at the forefront of promoting the British capital city as being open and welcoming to LGBTQ people from all over the world. He has hosted LGBTQ receptions at City Hall and has also embraced UK Black Pride.
Sinitta
Singer
@SinittaOfficial
Anglo-American Sinitta has been a household name since busting on to the pop scene in the 1980s and she has been a staunch ally of the LGBTQI community since, often appearing at Pride events across the UK to lend her support. In 2018 she released the official Pride anthem, Shine With Pride.
Suranne Jones
Actor
The former Coronation Street and Dr Foster star has made no secret of her support for the LGBTQI community, even taking time out of filming to attend the 2019 DIVA Awards. Currently playing the lead in Gentleman Jack, the true story of “the first modern lesbian” Anne Lister.
POWER COUPLES
Briony Hanson and Trica Tuttle
@TriciaTuttle #BrionyHanson
Two of the leading lights in British cinema, Hansen is Director of Film at the British Council, while Tuttle is Two of the leading lights in British cinema, Hansen is Director of Film at the British Council, while Tuttle is the Artistic Director if the BFI London Film Festival. Together they are highly vocal for their support of women in the film industry and are responsible for the huge success of BFI: Flare, London’s LGBTQ+ film festival.
Dustin Lance Black and Tom Daley
@TomDaley1994 @DLanceBlack
Talk about high achievers! Black is an author, campaigner and film maker, perhaps best known for Talk about high achievers! Black is an author, campaigner and film maker, perhaps best known for his biopic of gay American politician Harvey Milk while, since the age of 14, Daley has been the most successful British divers of all time, with a string of national, European and Olympic medals to his name.
Jake Graf and Hannah Graf MBE
@JakeGraf1 @hannahw253
The UK’s most high profile trans couple, Jake and Hannah Graf’s activism has shone a light on trans equality in the UK and beyond, helping to raise awareness and to promote trans rights. Jake is an actor, director and film maker, having recently appeared in the movie hit Colette alongside Keira Knightly, while Hannah was until recently the highest ranked transgender officer in the British Army. Hannah Graf received her MBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in June 2019.
Kate Brooks and Michelle Hardwick
@ChelleHardwick @katebrooks
Star of ITV continuing drama Emmerdale Michelle Hardwick first got together with show producer Kate Brooks in 2018, reflecting the soaps lesbian storyline in which Hardwick plays a leading role. The platform of a popular TV soap allows actors and show runners to introduce LGBTQ+ storylines into the living rooms of those who may never otherwise encounter gay people, and Emmerdale accomplishes this hugely successfully.
Riyadh Khalaf and Josh Harrison
@RiyadhK @itsJosh_H
Online personalities with a combined following on Instagram of more than 130,000. Riyadh, a YouTuber, filmmaker and podcast host, released his book Yay! You’re Gay earlier this year, while Josh, a dancer and a creative, regularly partners with brands to increase awareness of LGBT issues.
Rose and Rosie
@RoseEllenDix @Roxetera
YouTube sensations Rose Ellen Dix and Rosie Spaughton are the internet’s most popular female couple, with their three YouTube channels boasting around 1.5 million subscribers. Former DIVA Award winners, in June 2016, Dix and Spaughton were selected by Sony Pictures as two of 15 influencers on social media to promote Sony's then upcoming movies Inferno and Ghostbusters during a public relations blitz in Singapore.
Rylan and Dan Clark-Neal
@Rylan @danclarkneal
Rylan Clark-Neal exploded on to our TV screens during 2011’s X-Factor and, since then, has seldom been of them. He’s featured in some of the UK’s most popular shows, including Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, This Morning and Eurovision, You Decide. Rylan is married to Dan, a former police officer who has himself appeared on Bog Brother. In 2016, Rylan and Dan made history when they became the first gay couple to present This Morning.
Scott Nunn and Tris Reid-Smith
@mrscottnunn @trisrs
Nunn and Reid-Smith launched the LGBTQ news and features website Gay Star News in 2011, delivering in depth gay oriented content to the UK, USA and much of the rest of the world. The pair also founded Digital Pride in 2016, and in 2012 Gay Star News was honoured as “Publication of the Year” in the Stonewall Awards.
Stella Duffy and Shelley Silas
@stellduffy @shelleysilas
Shelley Silas has written extensively for TV, radio and the stage, while Stella Duffy is one of Britain’s best loved authors, some of which have been adapted for television. With a string of prestigious awards under their belts, Duffy and Silas are probably the world’s most successful literary lesbian couples.
Sue Perkins and Anna Richardson
@AnnaRichardso @sueperkins
The undisputed lesbian golden couple of British television, Perkins and Richardson have been the faces of some of the UK’s most popular programmes. Perkins’ on-screen partnership with Mel Giedroyc is one of the most enduring in TV, while Richardson’s Naked Attraction broke new ground in the history of broadcasting.