Every year The Independent on Sunday produces a “Pink List” of the most prominent LGBT people in the UK. Last year we kicked up a little bit of a fuss as only one T person featured on the list. The list got criticized for other reasons too, and the paper responded by soliciting nominations from the public, and appointing trans activist Paris Lees to the judging panel. This year, I am pleased to say, representation is much better.
Amongst the trans people on this year’s list are the fabulous Roz Kaveney. Also Christine Burns and Bethany Black, whom I have had the honor of meeting.
Other people on the list that you may know include John Barrowman, Val McDermid, Stella Duffy and Russell (T) Davies. Some other people are so well known that they have been named National Treasures, including Stephen Fry, Graham Norton, Sandi Toksvig, Alan Bennett, Adele Anderson and Julian Clary. And there are lifetime achievement awards for Jeanette Winterson, George Michael, Sir Ian McKellen, Neil Tennant, Jan Morris and Elton John (amongst others).
The promising newcomers list includes Juliet Jacques and Laurie Penny, both of whom I have been privileged to meet. And with Paris on the jury was former Wales rugby star, Gareth Thomas.
The paper still has a long way to go. Their editorial today talked exclusively about LGB issues until the final paragraph, where T gets tacked on purely as it is part of the acronym. But there is progress, and for that we should be grateful.
…And Sarah Brown, at 28…
Seven trans people in all, and at least one intersex.