100 MOST INFLUENTIAL UK GAYS

British newspaper, The Independent, has released its annual Pink List; honouring the elite of the British LGBT community.

From advertising executives to celebrities, the diverse list was released on Sunday, highlighting gays and lesbians who have made an impact on the UK in the last 12 months.

The deciding panel was tasked with defining the term ‘influential’; debating whether tea-time television or morning radio had more public influence.

The list contains both those who have used their status to help the community, as well as those whose presence enriches or entertains the lives of others.

Particularly notable entries on the list include Queer as Folk creator and Dr Who producer Russell T Davies in second place; veteran actor and gay rights activist Ian McKellan in fourth place; Elton John at six; TV personality Graham Norton at ten; and openly gay Labour MP Ben Bradshaw in the number 24 spot.

The top spot was taken by BBC journalist Evan Davis, whose knowledge of economics and charismatic personality managed to land him a place as anchor on one of Britain’s most popular radio shows, ‘Today’.

The highest listed woman was television executive Dawn Airey at number five, followed by radio broadcaster and writer Sandi Toksvig, at 14.

The panel also acknowledged prominent gays and lesbians from other countries, with local Supreme Court Judge Edwin Cameron honoured on the international list.

Only three of the new Pink List nominees declined to be listed, which, said the newspaper, shows that though the old stigma against homosexuality remains, it is on a rapid decline in the UK.