Find out who features on this year’s LGBT Rainbow List
By Josh Haggis
The 2014 Rainbow List has been unveiled by The Independent on Sunday.
The Rainbow List – formerly known as The Pink List – ranks the 101 most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the UK over the past year, as decided by a panel of six judges.
Top of this year’s list is actor-turned-politician Michael Cashman, 63, who was one of the founders of gay rights charity Stonewall in 1989. Cashman, who previously starred in EastEnders and famously took part in the soap’s first ever “gay kiss”, became a member of the House of Lords earlier this year.
Attitude’s Editor-at-Large, Paris Lees – who recently became the first trans woman to appear on the judging panel for the Stonewall Awards – is at Number Two on this year’s list, having previously featured at Number One on last year’s list.
Christian rock singer Vicky Beeching, who came out as gay in an interview earlier this year, places third on the list, while Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, appears at Number Four.
Check out the full top ten below.
1. Michael Cashman (Labour politician)
2. Paris Lees (Journalist)
3. Vicky Beeching (Christian rock singer)
4. Ruth Davidson (Scottish politician)
5. Evan Davis (Newsnight presenter)
6. Sue Perkins (Comedian and TV presenter)
7. Sam Smith (Singer)
8. Ruth Hunt (Stonewall CEO)
9. Casey Stoney (Women’s footballer)
10. Suran Dickson (CEO of Diversity Role Models)
Elsewhere on the list, Attitude’s Editor, Matthew Todd, places at Number 56, while Attitude contributors Iain Dale, Matt Cain and Damian Barr appear at numbers 54, 62 and 92 respectively.
Meanwhile, Tom Daley – who was named Man of the Year at the Attitude Awards last month (October) – features at Number 15 and boxing champion Nicola Adams is one behind at Number 16. Fellow recent Attitude cover stars Andrew Scott and Gareth Thomas place at numbers 22 and 35 respectively.
Soul singer Sam Smith comes in at Number Seven after a remarkable year in which his debut album, In the Lonely Hour, topped the UK’s Official Albums Chart.
Read the full list here.