LGBT+ rights have been on the forefront of the political agenda over the previous yr, however hardly ever for constructive causes.
April’s Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a lady within the Equality Act, which solely refers to organic gender and doesn’t embrace trans ladies, has been condemned by resident medical doctors, and critics say it solely perpetuates the polarisation on the difficulty, regardless of prime minister Sir Keir Starmer claiming it introduced readability.
It makes this Pride month notably vital as we champion these within the LGBT+ group who’re trailblazers of their area – from sports activities to music, politics to trend. It’s why we have to shine a light-weight not simply on the annual showcase of tradition and rights, rooted in each celebration and protest, however on what is occurring all yr spherical.
Around the world, the far proper continues to weaponise LGBT+ rights, with Donald Trump’s re-election rolling again progress. We’ve witnessed a slew of insurance policies imposing restrictions on LGBT+ tradition, erasing transgender, variety, fairness and inclusion programming not solely in authorities, but additionally throughout schooling and enterprise too, together with giants equivalent to Meta, which critics are calling harmful and immoral. Even extra alarmingly, the place America goes, different international locations typically observe.
In October, Georgia enacted a legislation criminalising the promotion of LGBT+ rights, whereas December noticed Mali’s new junta outlaw homosexuality altogether.
There are glimmers of hope and positivity, together with Australia voting to bolster its LGBT+ rights and safety with laws that explicitly contains intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identification, and intersex standing in its hate crime legal guidelines. Certain Australian jurisdictions has additionally banned homosexual conversion remedy.
Despite the rising hostility in the direction of the trans group within the UK, the variety of lesbian, homosexual and bisexual individuals (particularly among the many younger) are continues to develop, in keeping with current ONS figures.
Previous Pride lists have included the likes of presenter Graham Norton, trend editor Edward Enninful, comic Rosie Jones and drag artist Bimini Bon Boulash, whereas honorary mentions have been devoted to these now not with us however who made a long-lasting impression, equivalent to comic Paul O’Grady.
Their omission from this yr’s record is to not say their worth is now not felt. This record particularly champions achievements over the previous 12 months and was compiled by a panel at The Independent.
Reflecting The Independent’s philosophy of constructing change occur, the Pride List isn’t just a roll-call of huge names however honours the affect of these making a distinction to LGBT+ lives in Britain and past. Publishing the record at the moment celebrates Pride Month, and appears forward to the annual Pride in London march on Saturday 5 July.
1. Victoria McCloud
Britain’s first trans choose, Dr Victoria McCloud is main the cost, as she plans to take the UK authorities to the European Court of Human Rights for violating Article 6 of her human rights. It follows the Supreme Court’s (the very best court docket within the UK) ruling that the authorized definition of lady solely meant organic gender, excluding trans ladies. This impacts round 8,000 individuals within the UK who’ve a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), as of the tip of March 2024. She says the ruling leaves her being two sexes without delay.
McCloud resigned as a choose final yr with a purpose to apply to intervene within the Supreme Court enchantment introduced by marketing campaign group For Women Scotland. However, McCloud was unable to current any argument, and no voice from the trans group was heard throughout the trial. She says that is unjust, claiming the choice will not be reflective of the fundamental decency of British individuals.
She has been trans since her twenties, and beforehand instructed The Independent her expertise was “incredibly positive” and got here at a time when “things were much more accepting”, but she thought trans rights have been regressing. She was additionally the youngest choose of the King’s Bench when appointed aged simply 40 in 2010.
Upon listening to she was included within the record, McCloud stated: “I’m delighted and honoured that The Independent has included me in their Pride List again this year. In 2025, more than ever before, amid increasing oppression and segregation at home, with Court and State against us people from the trans community yearn to be bathed in rainbow light. These are uniquely dark times, but we will challenge those who wish to marginalise us be they government or activists with money and the odd mega-yacht to spare. We have been here for centuries; we will be here for centuries to come. The quiet majority walk with us.”
2. Juno Dawson
Trans activist Juno Dawson has been utilizing her platform as a journalist and creator to talk up for the rights of the LGBT+ group for over a decade now. After April’s Supreme Court case ruling on what a lady is, the No 1 Sunday Times bestselling creator wrote a robust assertion on her Instagram that resonated with many. It learn: “While judges and obsessed transphobes spend millions deciding what the word woman means, I want every trans person and their friends to get offline and go for a cup of tea and a little cake.
“I am a woman today, I was a woman yesterday, I will be a woman tomorrow. A judge who wouldn’t ever hear from a single trans person doesn’t know us better than we know ourselves. We are who we say we are, and they are very sad people.”
At the beginning of the yr, it was introduced Dawson had joined the writing group of the fifteenth collection of Doctor Who, making her the collection’ first overtly transgender author.
3. Bella Ramsey
Perhaps greatest identified for his or her position in Game of Thrones, actor Bella Ramsey, who identifies as non-binary, has shortly change into some of the profitable younger actors round. This yr sees Ramsey returning to the position of Ellie in HBO’s zombie post-apocalyptic collection The Last of Us. Based on the PlayStation online game that achieved a cult-like reputation, the second collection, which aired in April, has acquired crucial acclaim, incomes Ramsey an Emmy nomination and The Independent’s chief TV critic, Nick Hilton, gave it 4 stars.
Though, Ramsey has lately spoken on Louis Theroux’s podcast about the issue of Hollywood’s gender binary after they have been nominated within the Best Actress class, they stated there was nonetheless a must protect ladies’s classes and that they don’t see unintended misgendering as an assault on their identification. Earlier this yr, in an interview with British Vogue, the 21-year-old spoke about how liberating their autism prognosis was, receiving it whereas filming the primary collection of The Last of Us.
4. Cynthia Erivo
After an performing profession spanning nearly 15 years, it was 2024 that catapulted the actor and singer Cynthia Erivo into the stratosphere along with her lead position as Elphaba Thropp within the first a part of Wicked, the movie adaptation of the stage musical with co-star Ariana Grande.
For the position, Erivo was nominated for Best Actress at this yr’s Oscars (as she was in 2020 for her position in Harriet as abolitionist Harriet Tubman and its soundtrack, “Stand Up”, received Best Original Song). In her evaluation, The Independent’s chief movie critic, Clarisse Loughrey, stated the actor’s efficiency “showcases phenomenal vocal ability” and he or she performs the position with “real purity”.
Erivo is in a relationship with screenwriter Lena Waithe, and as a singer and songwriter, she continues to be some of the seen Black bisexual ladies within the UK. Earlier this yr, Evrio known as for a light-weight to be shone on those that are “invisible” within the LGBT+ group, equivalent to non-binary individuals, as she picked up a prize from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (Glaad).
5. Wes Streeting
Health secretary Wes Streeting is probably the most distinguished homosexual man in Westminster politics, together with his job by no means beforehand held by an overtly homosexual individual. He retained his Ilford seat on the 2024 election with a wafer-thin majority and has said his goal to steer the NHS out of years of disaster.
Many disagree together with his stance on trans individuals, together with his plan to segregate trans individuals on hospital wards and his ban on puberty blockers for under-18s; earlier this yr, he stated it’s not proper to say that trans ladies are ladies.
He’s been a patron of LGBT+ Labour for a number of years and beforehand labored at Stonewall. Though in July of final yr, Pride in Labour was fashioned as an alternative choice to LGBT+ Labour, following Streeting’s sustaining the ban on puberty blockers for under-18s.
Streeting got here out as homosexual in his second yr of college whereas at Cambridge and has been together with his fiancé Joseph Dancey for 12 years. He’s additionally a practising Anglican and has spoken about how his religion made it onerous for him to simply accept his sexuality.
6. David Hockney
Age doesn’t get in the best way of artist David Hockney, as this April he opened his third present in as a few years – and one of many largest of his profession – on the age of 87.
Opening in Paris’s Fondation Louis Vuitton to crucial acclaim, the present is called, “David Hockney 25”, and because it sounds, options works spanning the previous quarter-century from some of the influential and recognisable artists of the twentieth century.
The Independent’s Mark Hudson claimed “this could be the most monumental David Hockney Show any of us will see”, including that it’s “imbued with the same sense of freedom and play that defines the British artist’s earliest works”.
Hockney got here out as homosexual in 1960, aged 23, when it was nonetheless unlawful earlier than the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, which decriminalised it. Many of his creative works have explored sexuality, particularly in home conditions, equivalent to Peter Getting Out of Nick’s Pool (1966), portraying a unadorned man, and Man in Shower in Beverly Hills (1964).
7. James Lee Williams (The Vivienne)
As the winner of the primary collection of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, The Vivienne performed a key position in placing drag artists on primetime tv.
But in January, tragedy hit when The Vivienne sadly died aged simply 32, prompting an outpouring of affection and affection for his or her infectious pleasure and spirit.
Off-stage, they have been generally known as James Lee Williams, and their stage title and act was impressed by their love of designer Vivienne Westwood, and the late Paul O’Grady’s character, Lily Savage.
Although The Vivienne had spoken whereas showing on Drag Race about issues with habit, that they had been sober for a while. The artist died following a cardiac arrest brought on by ketamine use. Working with charity Adferiad, their sister Chanel is campaigning to erase the stigma round substance abuse.
8. Joe Lycett
Already well-liked for his waspish quips, take downs of huge manufacturers and wild stunts – together with “shredding” £10,000 of his personal cash to spotlight David Beckham’s £10m World Cup cope with Qatar, the place homosexuality is against the law – the comic this yr noticed the launch of a brand new TV present, Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham, which critics liked. As an ode to his hometown, it sees him journey round 18 different locations named Birmingham in a campervan.
In his stand-up, he refers to himself as each bisexual and pansexual, saying that folks perceive bisexual extra, however probably the most correct strategy to describe himself is pansexual – being interested in a persona fairly than a gender.
Though he’s very outspoken himself, he retains his personal life as such. So personal, actually, that in October followers have been shocked after he introduced he’d change into a father to a son, together with his girlfriend, whom he solely refers to as “Denise”, a joke between them as she reportedly hates the title.
9. Tom Daley
With an expert diving profession spanning half of his life, Tom Daley actually made a splash from a younger age, and is the UK’s most adorned and profitable diver with an enormous fan base, together with 3.9 million Instagram followers.
He’s competed at 5 Olympic Games, concluding with final yr’s in Paris, the place he received silver for his 10-metre synchro dive with Noah Williams. Encapsulating his profession is his new biographical documentary, Tom Daley: 1.6 seconds, streaming on Discovery+ now. The title refers back to the period of time from leaving the 10-metre board to getting into the pool. In it, he opens up about his struggles with bulimia and physique dysmorphia, and the way they weren’t seen as points affecting males on the time.
Daley got here out in 2013 through a YouTube video (aged 19), a rarity within the sporting world; he was impressed by Australian diver, Matthew Mitcham who got here out in 2008, earlier than profitable gold in Beijing (the primary overtly homosexual man to win a gold medal).
In an interview with British Vogue this yr, Daley stated, “with every Olympics, there are more and more out athletes,” which he feels is highly effective. In 2022 on the eve of the Commonwealth Games, he condemned homophobia in Commonwealth nations. His assertion was a part of his documentary, Tom Daley: Illegal To Be Me, about homosexual rights in Commonwealth international locations.
10. Yasmin Benoit
British mannequin, Yasmin Benoit, is a multi award-winning asexual activist and campaigner, specializing in what it actually means to be asexual and can be the creator of #ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike. As a analysis fellow at King’s College London’s Policy Institute, she labored on a landmark research on public perceptions of asexuality and launched the UK’s first asexual rights initiative with Stonewall. The analysis printed earlier this yr discovered that one in 4 individuals believed asexuality was a psychological well being drawback and could possibly be cured by remedy.
Her work challenges stigma, promotes inclusivity, and pushes for authorized recognition of asexuality, additional cementing her position as a number one voice for underrepresented identities throughout the LGBT+ group.
In 2021, she co-created the International Asexuality Day (IAD). Celebrated yearly on 6 April, it raises consciousness and normalises asexual identities by way of advocacy, celebration, schooling and solidarity.
She says, acephobia (the concern, dislike, or prejudice directed in the direction of asexual people) is on the rise, and spoke out to criticise JK Rowling’s acephobic publish on X (Twitter) final IAD.
11. Munroe Bergdorf
Trans mannequin and activist, Munroe Bergdorf rose to fame in 2017 when she grew to become the primary trans face of L’Oréal. Though it was shortly adopted by controversy, she’s continued to be some of the distinguished voices for trans equality and transphobia.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the authorized definition of a lady, she penned a really highly effective piece for British Vogue on anti-trans insurance policies, the shortage of medical healthcare entry, and what she known as an “overwhelming anti-trans media bias”. It follows on from her saying, in 2023, that though Gen Z are probably the most out queer era, they’re rising up in probably the most transphobic time in reminiscence.
This yr, her new documentary Love & Rage comes out in June, which focuses on the trans activist’s journey, which she describes as a love letter to her group. Bergdorf printed her e-book, Transitional: In One Way or Another, We All Transition in 2023. Part transferring memoir and half highly effective manifesto, the place she used her personal expertise to indicate transitioning is deeply rooted in human expertise.
12. Cindy Ngamba
Though proficient boxer Cindy Ngamba, initially from Cameroon, had been coaching with Team GB, she wasn’t capable of symbolize them within the Paris Olympics final yr, as she wasn’t a British passport holder. Yet, she went on to win a bronze medal within the middleweight division whereas representing the Refugee Olympic Team.
In doing so, she made historical past and have become the primary ever Refugee Olympic Team medalist, highlighting this underrepresented group of proficient athletes. Speaking to BBC Sport, she stated: “I hope it will change people’s perception of refugees, not only in sport, but in life in general.” An inspirational message that wants amplifying.
After transferring to the UK, aged simply 11 to stay along with her father, she got here out as a lesbian aged 16 and confronted deportation in 2019, alongside along with her brother. She was fearful of being despatched again, as in Cameroon, the place homosexuality is punished by as much as 5 years in jail, although reportedly individuals may be killed for it too.
13. Ubaid-ul Rehman
In 2024’s New Year’s Honours record, Ubaid-ul Rehman was awarded an OBE, a landmark achievement because it made him the primary overtly homosexual Muslim to ever seem on the record because it started in 1890.
Rehman was recognised for his tireless work in supporting LGBT+ rights and equality throughout the College of Policing, the place he works as a senior variety and inclusion adviser. Here, he’s the chair of an LGBT+ badminton group that represented the UK on the Gay Games, that are held each 4 years.
He was additionally recognised for his work on the charity Imaan that he co-founded (over 20 years in the past), and which morphed from a social assist group to an activist group after the occasions of 9/11, because it noticed attitudes in the direction of Muslims change into more and more xenophobic. He’s additionally given talks about how he got here out, within the hope of inspiring others in comparable Pakistani Muslim cultures who’re additionally homosexual.
14. Shon Faye
Award-winning creator, journalist and LGBT+ activist Shon Faye is a robust advocate for trans liberation within the UK. She’s been praised for her potential to distil the character of recent society, whereas her writing on trans rights is sensible and her political evaluation all the time insightful.
After the Supreme Court’s ruling on what a lady is in April, she took to Instagram to inform her followers that “we will carry on” following the “very bleak” resolution of the ruling.
She wrote that when she began her transition a decade in the past, she says, although it was onerous, it was “so so so much easier then”, referencing the rising anti-trans debates and rhetoric now.
Her second e-book, Love in Exile, printed in February, focuses on how love is far wider than the slim beliefs we’ve been bought by capitalism. The e-book additionally appears at how love can onerous to search out, the great thing about queer platonic love, and the way our language replicates that used round habit.
15. Jonathan Bailey
Hailed this yr as Hollywood’s most profitable homosexual actor, Jonathan Bailey’s profession seemingly is aware of no bounds. Unless you’ve been below a rock, you’ll know he starred as Prince Fiyero in Wicked, which hit cinemas on the finish of 2024, and forged a spell even additional over his fandom. But he’s additionally liked for his position as heartthrob Lord Anthony from Bridgerton, an element he’ll revive as soon as extra as the brand new season has simply been teased for subsequent yr on Netflix.
Continuing his streak of huge roles, he’s additionally set to star in Jurassic World Rebirth subsequent yr alongside Scarlett Johansson.
He’s additionally change into an inspiration for homosexual actors, as he’s talked overtly about breaking by way of in his profession, regardless of being instructed to cover being homosexual with a purpose to defend his profession. He’s additionally stated it was whereas enjoying the position of a straight man that he grew to become hyper-aware of his sexuality, and all the time felt he lacked a job mannequin.
16. Sarah Bern
As certainly one of England’s most promising gamers, Sarah Bern has executed for ladies’s rugby what Beth Mead has executed for ladies’s soccer, after Bern was impressed by the Lionesses’ glory.
She’s arguably the most effective prop on the earth and a few sports activities writers are suggesting that she might assist England win a World Cup later this yr.
The Independent’s rugby correspondent, Harry Latham-Coyle, stated Bern, (who performs for Bristol Bears at membership degree) has “been a key cog for the Red Roses since a breakthrough World Cup campaign in 2017”.
Bern, who’s in a relationship with fellow rugby participant, Mackenzie Carson, makes use of her platform to talk about physique positivity, saying, “if we really want to support women’s rugby, we need to start supporting all shapes and sizes”.
17. Emma Corrin
Golden Globe-winning actor Emma Corrin has had a slew of Hollywood hits as of late. The queer and non-binary actor, who got here out in 2021, beforehand stated they don’t really feel gender is one thing that’s fastened.
Following their breakout position in The Crown, enjoying Princess Diana (for which they received a Golden Globe), final yr they performed Cassandra Nova within the superhero movie Deadpool & Wolverine and featured within the horror remake of Nosferatu.
They’ve additionally simply starred in Charlie Brooker’s dystopian TV collection. Black Mirror within the episode “Hotel Reverie”, a darkish critique of the blurred traces between expertise and actual life, and are recent off the stage from a star-studded efficiency of The Seagull. Next up, they’re starring in Pride and Prejudice, enjoying Elizabeth Bennet in a script written by journalist and creator, Dolly Alderton.
Aside from their performing, they’re additionally a method inspiration and are sometimes praised for his or her avant-garde and gender-fluid appears, refreshing the kinds on present on quite a few crimson carpets.
18. Beth Mead
As some of the distinguished faces and skills for ladies’s soccer, Beth Mead was awarded an MBE for her companies, following the Lionesses’ unbelievable 2022 Euros win, the primary time both England group has received a serious trophy since 1966. She’s helped revolutionise the game and encourage a era to get on the pitch.
Hoping to strike once more on the Euros 2025, the Lionesses will probably be going full throttle. Off the pitch, together with Lioness teammates Katie McCabe and Kim Little, Mead’s been campaigning about interval stigma, which stops 78 per cent of ladies from enjoying sport. They’re eager to encourage each women and men to be educated on it, to assist normalise the topic.
For her work, Mead topped The Independent’s Pride List in 2023, and was additionally featured within the high 15 final yr. Along along with her associate and fellow former Arsenal participant, Vivianne Miedema, who now performs for Manchester City, they made an vital documentary in regards to the growing variety of ladies struggling an anterior cruciate ligament damage, generally known as the ACL, which ladies are six instances extra more likely to undergo than males.
19. Erin Doherty
One of the yr’s largest TV speaking factors to this point has been Netflix’s gripping but terrifying crime drama Adolescence. The one-take four-part collection was co-created by actor Stephen Graham (who additionally performs the protagonist’s father, Eddie), which delved into the darkish world of incels, teenage murders and on-line bullying.
One of the breakout roles got here in episode three with Erin Doherty (who beforehand performed Princess Anne in The Crown), enjoying Briony Ariston, the medical psychologist assessing accused teenage assassin Jamie (performed by Owen Cooper). Her portrayal is deeply transferring, genuine feeling, and your complete episode is extraordinarily tense, piqued by unwavering sternness, which is the place Doherty actually showcases her expertise.
Earlier this yr, the 32-year-old actor stated she failed to grasp she was homosexual till she started a “mind-blowing” relationship with a lady aged 25 that modified every part. Now she thinks being a visual homosexual lady is vital to her, to assist others who would possibly really feel like she did.
20. Alex Scott
Former Lioness and Arsenal footballer, Alex Scott has been a mainstay within the soccer pundit world since retiring from the sport in 2017, as a commentator and presenter. In 2024, she was inducted into the Women’s Super League Hall of Fame, the very best honour throughout the league. She was lately tipped to be one of many potential replacements of Gary Lineker on Match of the Day and continues to current the BBC’s flagship Saturday lunchtime programme, Football Focus. This yr, she hit a brand new excessive in her broadcasting profession as she introduced the FA Cup remaining for the primary time.
Though the ladies’s recreation continues to develop and develop, earlier this yr, Scott stated gamers from totally different backgrounds aren’t getting the identical alternatives that they used to. She continues to make use of her platform of greater than 2 million followers on Instagram alone to advertise inclusivity and variety throughout the recreation, and to talk up for LGBT+ rights, not solely on the ladies’s facet, however all through your complete sport.
She’s by no means actually labelled her sexuality, however has had relationships with women and men. Her associate is singer Jess Glynne, and since they have been first linked collectively again in 2023, they’re typically seen at occasions collectively, trying completely smitten.
21. Carl Hester
As one of many oldest athletes on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Carl Hester is thought to be one of many best equestrians of all time. He is in a long-term relationship with fellow coach Ben Neal.
This yr, his sporting achievements will quickly take centre stage in a biopic, titled Stride, detailing his childhood on the Channel Island of Sark, the place using a horse was a necessity as a consequence of a ban on automobiles, to then changing into certainly one of historical past’s greatest riders, trainers and equestrian athletes.
As nicely as a number of medals, there are quite a few firsts to his title, together with in 2012, being Team GB’s solely overtly homosexual Olympian (the place he additionally received gold within the group dressage occasion). As Paris was his seventh Olympics, it’s doubtless his final within the saddle.
22. Kae Tempest
Back in March, hip-hop poet and playwright Kae Tempest launched a robust new monitor, “Statue In The Square”. The track addresses themes of identification, transformation, and societal challenges, marking their first new music since 2023.
Their new materials resonates deeply with LGBT+ audiences and has additional cemented their position as a voice for marginalised communities. In 2020, they got here out as non-binary and commenced their transition.
The monitor speaks to a few of Tempest’s personal experiences, and has hard-hitting lyrics, equivalent to “It’s not a disorder or a dysfunction/ Disgusting the way they discuss us,” together with extra affirming traces like, “It’s fine, we don’t need permission to shine”.
23. Joelle Taylor
Poet and creator Joelle Taylor has supplied a robust voice in queer literature and activism and is recognisable for her sharp tweed fits and completely quaffed quick hair.
This yr, she printed The Night Alphabet, which is a daring exploration of violence, resilience, and queer identification. In December 2024, she headlined the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence competition at Manchester Poetry Library, sharing work that confronts gendered violence and celebrates butch lesbian tradition. Taylor stays a central determine in LGBT+ literary areas, utilizing her platform to amplify marginalised voices and problem societal norms. Previously, she received the celebrated TS Eliot Prize for poetry in 2022 along with her poetry e-book C+nto & Othered Poems about butch tradition.
24. Nat Sciver-Brunt
As the brand new ladies’s England cricket captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt is barely the nation’s fourth everlasting captain of the ladies’s group since 2000, after being named in April.
She instructed The Independent in a current interview about her plans to rebuild the facet and the way she’s adjusting to her “new normal”, after returning for the promotion simply off the again of getting a toddler with associate Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who was the service. Though she was entitled to 4 months’ maternity depart, she solely took three weeks following changing into captain.
Nat is the primary mom to play for England since Arran Brindle, who performed her final worldwide in 2014. In such a pivotal sporting position, she’s been a key participant in discussing equality in maternity provisions, together with egg freezing remedy and returning to health, for the LGBT+ group. This led to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) saying an replace to its maternity coverage on the finish of May.
25. Ellen Jones
A number one voice in LGBT+ advocacy, award-winning creator, campaigner and speaker, Ellen Jones launched her debut e-book, Outrage: Why the Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality Is Not Yet Won and What We Can Do About It, in January.
It examines the continued discrimination individuals within the LGBT+ group face, and importantly, it gives actionable steps for making a extra inclusive society. As nicely as this, she additionally campaigns for psychological well being points, in addition to autism and marginalised communities.
Jones has additionally supplied variety and inclusion coaching for organisations equivalent to Google, Adobe, and the Tate, and was featured within the WACL Represent Me marketing campaign in collaboration with Snap, YouTube, and Pinterest. Her work continues to encourage and drive significant change inside and past the LGBT+ group.
26. Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
This yr marks twenty years of UK Black Pride, which was co-founded by Dr Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (additionally fondly generally known as Lady Phyll), who has lengthy been a distinguished activist within the LGBT+ group. UK Black Pride is now the world’s largest celebration for LGBT+ individuals of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent, and was fashioned from the necessity to see individuals like her inside Pride celebrations, who are sometimes not seen or excluded.
Since 2023, she’s been the CEO of the motion too, following her earlier position as its government director and earlier than that, her background was within the civil service the place she labored within the Department for Work and Pensions for 13 years.
Her dedicated work on race, gender and LGBT+ rights has been unwavering for many years. It’s this that’s seen her included within the Pride List for the third consecutive yr.
27. Jacqueline Wilson
Though she solely got here out as homosexual in 2020, aged 75, after revealing she had a long-term associate of 18 years, creator Dame Jacqueline Wilson in a short time grew to become a homosexual icon.
For millennials, she’s been an idolised youngsters’s creator for years due to her coming-of-age novels, overlaying relatable points equivalent to adoption, divorce, bullying and psychological well being points. Last yr, she made her comeback along with her first novel, Think Again. Published 22 years after the unique Girls collection, it feels a delightful return to each Wilson’s writing and the characters, particularly since readers may have grown up together with them. It additionally incorporates a same-sex relationship, as Ellie turns 40, she divorces her husband and falls in love with a lady, drawing parallels to Wilson’s personal life. Wilson was additionally listed within the final New Year’s Honours record and was made Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.
28. Sonia Bompastor
As the French supervisor of the Chelsea ladies’s soccer group, Sonia Bompastor rose to fame due to her title of being undefeated for her first 28 video games throughout her first season. In doing so, she shortly grew to become some of the profitable ladies’s coaches of our time.
Off the pitch, earlier this yr she additionally spoke out about her 13-year relationship along with her assistant Camille Abily for the primary time, and likewise revealed they’ve 4 youngsters collectively. She opened up about their personal life on the eve of the publication of her autobiography, titled Sonia Bompastor: Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Generations in Women’s Soccer. Bompastor says they work nicely collectively as they’re each skilled, supportive and environment friendly inside their roles. Though she says she discovered it troublesome to overtly say she was in a relationship with a lady, after rising up solely seeing relationships between women and men.
29. Sir Elton John
As one of many largest icons and voices of the LGBT+ group, Sir Elton John wants little introduction. Nor does his contribution to the group. He got here out in 1976 by telling Rolling Stone journal he was bisexual, aged simply 29, and since then has typically used his platform to talk up for marginalised teams.
Now aged 78, he’s launched a brand new album, Who Believes in Angels?, with 11-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile from Washington. The pair have been pals for twenty years and the album covers problems with resilience, hope, loss and the complexities of being LGBT+. The Independent’s chief album critic, Helen Brown, gave it 4 stars and known as it: “Outsized, old-school, dad-rockin’ fun”.
John’s documentary, Never Too Late, got here out in September 2024, and is made up of real-time historic footage, journal entries and different private tidbits, and appears again over his prolific 50-year profession, together with each his highs and lows.
30. Scott Mills
Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills, and his then-fiancé Sam Vaughn, went on to win the celeb version of 2024’s Race Across the World in South America in a neck-and-neck finale, which aired final September. Mills and Vaughn, who took half simply forward of their marriage ceremony in June 2024, have been the primary homosexual couple within the present even because it entered its fifth collection. Their affection and energy of their relationship was not solely heartwarming to look at, however it additionally shone a light-weight on actual life same-sex relationships on TV.
31. Jackie Kay
Former Scottish poet laureate (often known as Scots Makar) Jackie Kay, is a Scottish-Nigerian poet who has been profitable awards for her poetry, playwriting, novels and performances since 1991.
In October final yr, she launched her extremely acclaimed assortment, May Day. It’s an autobiographical assortment, following the aftermath of the deaths of her adoptive mother and father. Other themes additionally embrace activism, race, nationality, and sexuality. Kay says writing brings her solace and he or she’s beforehand spoken about her struggles rising up in rural Scotland, feeling like the one Black lesbian.
Kay has been open about her sexuality (she was in a 15-year relationship with fellow poet, Carol Ann Duffy) and identifies as a lesbian, however has stated earlier than that she needs to be seen as extra than simply that one label, and likewise describes herself as a mom, Black, a author and Scottish.
32. Danny Beard
Finishing second on this yr’s Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) was drag queen, Danny Beard, who has continued to be a lovable face on TV. They first appeared on our screens again in 2016, wowing judges with their rendition of The Rocky Horror Show’s “Sweet Transvestite” on Britain’s Got Talent, making it to the semi-finals. Real title Daniel Curtis, in addition they received RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2022, crammed in on Radio 1’s weekend present, and now have their very own podcast, The Gossip Gays.
Beard needed to do CBB with out what they known as their “drag armour”, and as an alternative needed to really feel accepted for who they have been, other than the drag act. They’ve additionally used their platform in assist of the trans group, in addition to different marginalised teams.
33. Sir Stephen Fry
After popping out within the Eighties, actor, comic, author and presenter, Sir Stephen Fry has been some of the seen homosexual males within the nation. He typically spoke overtly about his sexuality. He’s been with husband, Elliott Spencer since 2012, who he married three years later and is 30 years his junior.
Fry’s contribution to tradition has been second to none over the many years, performing in movies, TV and theatre, in addition to presenting his personal documentaries. He’s additionally written 4 novels, and narrated the Harry Potter and Paddington Bear audiobooks.
For this, Fry is on his strategy to nationwide treasure standing, and for his companies to psychological well being charity, Mind (of which he’s now the president, after he was recognized with bipolar illness aged 37), he was given a knighthood within the New Year’s Honours List. He stated he was “startled and enchanted” to obtain the honour.
34. Molly McCann (Meatball Molly)
Former blended martial arts (MMA) athlete, Liverpudlian Molly McCann is an influential sportswoman who’s vocal about poverty and charity work. She’s talked overtly earlier than about rising up in poverty and with a mom affected by habit.
For her, sport enabled her to shine as she suffered from consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction (ADHD) and couldn’t retain info in classes. She retired earlier this yr, following breaking her fibula at UFC 304 in Manchester final July.
Nicknamed Meatball Molly, after she labored at Subway to assist herself early on in her profession, she’s now in a relationship with Fran Parman, who was beforehand in The Only Way is Essex.
35. Deborah Frances-White
Known as The Guilty Feminist, comic turned creator Deborah Frances-White’s podcast has been going sturdy for 10 years and centres round the truth that no person is ideal, with the thought of discussing different viewpoints and inspiring crucial pondering.
White, who got here out as bisexual in 2020, is Australian however has lived within the UK for 25 years, and her newest e-book, Six Conversations We’re Scared to Have, was printed in April. It focuses on tackling the themes we’re typically afraid to work together with, impressed by the growing polarisation of the trendy world.
It attracts on her personal expertise of rising up in a non secular cult and appears at cancel tradition, free speech and gender identification. It’s been designed to be a place to begin for conversations fairly than providing the solutions, and hoping individuals will study to disagree peacefully.
36. GK Barry
Grace Eleanor Keeling, higher generally known as GK Barry to her 5.4 million followers throughout Instagram and TikTookay, is the youngest common panellist on daytime TV present, Loose Women. And aged simply 25, she’s shortly making her mark on tv and within the LGBT+ group with the assistance of her large social presence.
She solely lately got here out to her mother and father and shared the heartfelt story whereas she was a campmate in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! on the finish of 2024.
In the camp, Barry stated she met girlfriend footballer Ella Rutherford accidentally, by way of a mutual pal, and nonchalantly instructed her mother and father that Ella was her girlfriend after they requested who she was, to which they apparently replied: “Oh cool.” Speaking so candidly about her expertise on such a well-liked programme helps encourage others to not concern the dialog of popping out, in addition to exhibiting others how you can react.
37. Jack Rooke
Back for a 3rd time earlier this yr, the most recent instalment of comic and author Jack Rooke’s Big Boys has been rated as the most effective but. The coming of age story, specializing in a gaggle of misfits at fictional Brent University in 2014 and impressed by his personal college days and is loosely primarily based on Rooke’s 2020 memoir, Cheer the F**Ok Up: How to Save your Best Friend.
It provides perception into the LGBT+ expertise in addition to overlaying subjects from males’s psychological well being, popping out and unlikely friendships struck up between complete opposites, all laced with Rooke’s signature comedy. The third collection has managed to be humorous in addition to poignant, the place Nick Hilton, The Independent’s chief TV critic calling it “one of the finest British comedies in a decade”, awarding it 5 stars.
38. Miriam Margolyes
Though maybe a controversial determine at instances, comic, creator and Bafta-winning actor Miriam Margolyes approaches discussing her sexuality as she would anything – with crude bluntness, wit and joyous honesty. She’s been along with her associate Heather Sutherland since 1968. Never one to shrink back from sharing her true ideas on issues, she continues to be a placing and vital older member of the LGBT+ group.
This yr, she may have one other e-book printed, The Little Book of Miriam, an A-Z pocket information to the knowledge, tales insights of Margolyes’ world. It follows on from her most up-to-date e-book in 2023, Oh Miriam!, impressed by the phrase she’s heard for many of her life (often screeched in a disapproving tone). In the identical yr, she was additionally Vogue’s cowl star, aged 82, as a part of the journal’s Pride celebrations.
39. Carla Denyer
Alongside her co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Carla Denyer has pushed her get together ahead since 2021.
The Bristol Central MP describes herself as bisexual, queer and pansexual and is reportedly the primary MP to introduce herself in her maiden speech utilizing her pronouns, as she believes within the significance of seeing variety in parliament.
One of her first actions after changing into MP was to jot down to well being secretary Wes Streeting to precise her disappointment that Labour was sustaining the ban on puberty blockers for under-18s, and accused him of failing to have interaction with trans individuals.
In the final election, she led the Greens in the direction of their greatest ever outcomes, profitable 1.84 million votes, a 6.4 per cent share, which means that they had 4 seats. If the UK had proportional illustration, the Greens would have 42 MPs. Despite her success, she lately introduced final month that she received’t be standing once more because the get together’s co-leader.
40. Ncuti Gatwa
Actor Ncuti Gatwa has simply completed his tenure because the world’s most well-known Doctor in his fifteenth incarnation. He was not solely the primary individual of color to play the half in Doctor Who, but additionally the primary overtly queer individual to take action. It’s a starring position that has given large visibility to queer individuals of color, marking a pivotal second within the TV present because it celebrated its sixtieth birthday in 2023.
Gatwa, who got here out publicly as queer in August 2023, first appeared within the Christmas Doctor Who specials of the identical yr, however it’s possible you’ll recognise the Scottish-Rwandan actor from Netflix’s hit Sex Education, the place he performed Eric Effiong and earned a Bafta.
Last yr, Gatwa additionally used his platform to criticise the federal government’s anti-trans rhetoric. He stated trans individuals have been used as a scapegoat, and overtly attacking trans individuals is being normalised, resulting in a rise in hate crimes towards the group.
41. Layton Williams
Actor Layton Williams is understood for his position in Bad Education and being the second same-sex male couple in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, with Ukrainian skilled dancer Nikita Kuzmin.
This yr, he received the 2025 Laurence Olivier for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his efficiency in Titanique, for his character Iceberg, a jukebox musical parody of the Titanic movie that includes Celine Dion’s legendary soundtrack.
Previously, he’s spoken in regards to the difficulties he confronted, being requested to depart the personal theatre college he had a scholarship for and the way he needed to depart London (the place he’d come out as homosexual whereas engaged on the Billy Elliot manufacturing) and having to maneuver again to his hometown of Bury and return to his old fashioned, which means he needed to conceal his queerness.
42. Tayce Szura-Radix (Tayce)
Drag artist, mannequin and presenter, Tayce Szura-Radix, was a joint runner-up within the second collection of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2020, and made historical past by profitable the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas particular on Christmas Day in 2024, watched by a mega 6.7 million viewers.
In doing so, the artist has damaged down boundaries by not solely changing into the primary individual from the drag group to seem on the present, but additionally by occurring to win the much-loved dance competitors. From Newport in south Wales, Szura-Radix stated it was “an incredible honour” to be on the dancing present.
43. Peter Tatchell
As one of many UK’s most prolific homosexual rights campaigners, the veteran Peter Tatchell was integral in organising Britain’s first homosexual Pride together with different colleagues in 1972.
He’s been open about being homosexual since 1969, and have become a number one member of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) till its collapse in 1974. His campaigning, activism and protests have included organised sit-ins at pubs that refused to serve homosexual males, and protests towards classing homosexuality as a medical sickness.
He’s campaigned for LGBT+ rights because the Nineties and fashioned the Peter Tatchell Foundation, of which celeb patrons embrace Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady, earlier than he died in 2023.
This yr, Tatchell staged a peaceable protest towards the state go to to Britain by the emir of Qatar, over the appalling abuse of the human rights of LGBT+ individuals, ladies and migrant employees.
44. Jake and Hannah Graf
Known because the UK’s transgender energy couple, Jake and Hannah Graf are probably the most seen trans couple within the nation. They have been very open about their journeys, which has latterly been described as a lifeline to many others locally, firstly in their Channel 4 documentary Our Baby: A Modern Miracle which aired in 2020 and extra lately, of their e-book, Becoming Us, printed in 2023.
Hannah, a trans lady, is a retired captain within the British military, the very best rating transgender officer, earlier than leaving the army to start a profession in finance, whereas Jake – a trans man – is an actor and director. They each give talks on their experiences to assist encourage others to return out and know the place to search out assist. They’ve additionally had two youngsters through surrogate.
This yr, they’ve spoken out towards what they name the discriminatory EHRC ruling on a definition of a lady, calling it heartbreaking.
45. Nadia Whittome
The Labour MP for Nottingham East, 28-year-old Nadia Whittome, who identifies as queer, is an advocate for and supporter of the LGBT+ group. Earlier this yr, she campaigned for Georgia to be taken off the “safe return” record for asylum seekers as a consequence of its questionable LGBT+ rights.
Last month, she was included in a e-book, Letters to My Younger Queer Self, printed with the goal of exhibiting that younger LGBT+ individuals aren’t alone in what they’re feeling.
She’s additionally spoken out about how assaults on trans ladies hurt all ladies and criticised the federal government’s stance on the authorized definition of a lady. She claims the infinite debates on the topic are usually not about defending ladies. In an interview with Glamour, she made the highly effective assertion that “men don’t need to disguise themselves as women to perpetrate violence against us”.
46. Sir Ian McKellen
Now aged 86, Sir Ian McKellen isn’t exiting stage left simply but. He’s one of many UK’s longest-reigning profitable actors throughout theatre and movie, and has been overtly homosexual since 1988. Since then, he’s championed LGBT+ rights and is a co-founder of Stonewall, the LGBT+ rights foyer group. For his work, he was awarded the celebrated honour of the Freedom of the City of London award in 2014.
This yr, he will probably be supporting an all-trans and non-binary efficiency of Twelfth Night, a play which already toys with gender and fluidity, cross-dressing, shifting gender roles and mistaken identification. It’s scheduled for 25 July, on the eve of the Trans Pride march by way of London, and all earnings are going to the UK-based trans charity, Not A Phase.
47. Ella Morgan
Starring within the British model of the fact TV present, Married At First Sight (MAFS) in 2023, Ella Morgan was the programme’s first trans contestant, which she says she felt privileged to have the ability to do.
She’s gone on to be an advocate for the trans group, talking overtly, eloquently and candidly on each social media and TV in regards to the realities of being a trans lady, dwelling with stigma nonetheless, having problem with relationship and being single for a decade, plus being fetishised as somebody who has transitioned. Following the Supreme Court ruling, she voiced her concern, saying it’s an “excuse to attack trans people even more”.
Previously, she praised MAFS’s producers, who she says simply noticed her as Ella, after feeling like she’s by no means been totally accepted for being herself. She added that she didn’t see getting married and having youngsters as one thing that might occur to her both.
48. Brandi Carlile
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile is an 11-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, performer, No 1 New York Times-bestselling creator and has change into one of many trade’s most revered voices. This yr, she collaborated with Sir Elton John on the album, Who Believes in Angels?, the place in addition they carried out a one-off live performance collectively at The London Palladium. Carlile additionally acquired her first Oscar nomination for her writing and vocal contribution to “Never Too Late” from the Elton John documentary of the identical title.
Her best-selling e-book, Broken Horses: A Memoir, printed in 2021 delved into her experiences with religion, sexuality and parenthood. She identifies as a lesbian and married Catherine Shepherd in 2012, with whom she has two daughters. Carlile has overtly mentioned her queer journey and her expertise popping out, together with her struggles.
49. Ben Whishaw
An surprising hit on our TV screens final December was the spy drama, Black Doves. starring Kiera Knightley (enjoying Helen Webb) and Ben Whishaw, the place he performs Knightley’s homosexual greatest pal, Sam Young, an murderer.
What appeared prefer it might simply have panned, owing to its Tarantino-esque blood scenes, hammed-up preventing, and trigger-happy gangsters, was really extremely praised by critics.
Whishaw is certainly one of Britain’s most prolific actors, from tools geek Q within the James Bond movies, to voicing Paddington Bear and enjoying the homosexual physician within the TV adaptation of Adam Kay’s hit e-book, This is Going to Hurt, which has received him Emmy, Globe and Bafta awards.
50. Sue Perkins
Presenter, author and comic Sue Perkins has been a mainstay on our screens for greater than three many years, making her certainly one of Britain’s most liked and recognisable presenters. This yr sees her announce her return to stand-up along with her first present in 20 years, titled The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins, which she says attracts on her surprising profession within the highlight.
As nicely as this, alongside along with her comedy associate Mel Giedroyc, she launched a podcast Mel & Sue: Should Know By Now, asking largely foolish questions that Google might shortly reply, however say it’s extra enjoyable to speak by way of between them. The pair have been pals for nearly 40 years and are identified for his or her on-screen chemistry, and the podcast options loads of hysterical laughing and a lifetime of embarrassing anecdotes.
As a lesbian, Perkin has typically talked about her sexuality and experiences of popping out as homosexual, in addition to her infertility. She additionally says her sexuality will not be her identification, that she in all probability knew she was a lesbian at age 16, and that she thinks sexuality is a spectrum.
https://www.independent.co.uk/lgbt/pride-list-2025-lgbt-changemakers-trans-judge-b2762790.html