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The Independent on Sunday’s Rainbow List for 2014 (previously known as the Pink List) was published yesterday in conjunction with ASDA. It features a stellar list of names – some expected and some unexpected.
The list charts the most influential LGBT+ people in the UK in the previous year, and is assessed based on public nominations and the so-called Janet Jackson rule (‘What have you done for me lately?’).
Stonewall founder and House of Lords member Michael Cashman tops the list, but we’re pleased to see some other great names on there: Tony Fenwick and Sue Sanders from the vitally important Schools OUT and LGBT History Month UK, asylum activist and LGBT+ role model Aderonke Apata and gay journalist and founder of the Polari First Book Prize, Paul Burston.
Others on the list include Suran Dickson, CEO of Diversity Role Models; Olympians Nicola Adams and Tom Daley; the leader of the Scottish Conservative Party Ruth Davidson; singers Sam Smith and Vicky Beeching; Muslim drag queen and past Vada contributor Asifa Lahore; journalist Paris Lees; and the Mercury prize nominated poet Kate Tempest.
The judges this year were Charlie Condou, Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, Diva magazine publisher Kim Watson, former NBA basketball player John Amaechi, writer Christine Burn, reporter Charlotte Henry, IoS Editor Lisa Markwell, IoS Literary Editor Katy Guest, and additional IoS staff.
The Independent on Sunday’s Editor Lisa Markwell said: ‘So much has changed since we started the list in 2000 particularly with same-sex marriage being made legal in March this year – but there is still progress to be made. This year we’ve heard some incredible stories from some inspiring people that are fighting to do just that. At The Independent on Sunday we take great pride in publishing the list, and it has been an absolute pleasure to preside over it again.’
The list is available at independent.co.uk/rainbowlist.
