Ian McKellen ranked most influential gay man
Gay acting legend Sir Ian McKellen has topped the annual Pink List of influential gay and lesbian people in Britain.
The highly acclaimed thespian, star of Lord of the Rings, and the Da Vinci Code, who was an integral part of last weekend’s EuroPride rally as its patron and organiser of its finale, came first, ahead of signer Sir Elton John in second place.
The list was compiled by the Independent on Sunday to mark the weekend’s festivities, the newspaper said: “There can be few actors who manage to produce such extraordinary variety and quality while connecting with so many people.”
It also included ex Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson, Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas and new entrant, Times Assistant Editor, Andrew Pierce.
Sir Ian addressed the EuroPride rally last weekend and told the crowd in Trafalgar Square: “Apparently we cannot call ourselves gay anymore because it means rubbish in the street, why don’t we find a new word, what about gorgeous?”
Andrew Pierce Guest Columnist for The PinkNews and Assistant Editor of The Times, told PinkNews.co.uk: “I’m delighted I was number 49 and not number 69.
“It was a surprise to be included at all and an even bigger surprise to be ahead of an ex lover.”
“It’s a sign of change when 4 of the top ten are knights of the realm.”
The full list of names are,
01 Sir Ian McKellen, Actor
02 Sir Elton John, Musician
03 Gary Frisch and Henry Badenhorst,gaydar.co.uk
04 Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Impresario
05 Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner
06 Sir Michael Bishop, Chairman, BMI
07 John Galliano, Fashion Designer Couturier
08 Alan Bennett, Playwright Author
09 Matt Lucas, Comedian
10 Alexander McQueen, Fashion Designer
11 Peter Ackroyd, Biographer, Novelist Psychogeographer
12 Nicholas Hytner, Artistic Director, National Theatre
13 Howell James, Permanent Secretary
14 Dawn Airey, Managing Director, Sky Networks
15 Charles Allen, Chief Executive of ITV
16 Alan Hollinghurst, Author
17 Sebastian Scott, CEO and Co-Founder Of Princess Productions
18 Russell T Davies, Screenwriter
19 Remy Blumenfeld, Television Producer
20 Janet Paraskeva, Chief Executive of The Law Society
21 Michael Grandage, Theatre Director, Donmar
22 David Starkey, Historian Broadcaster
23 Stephen Fry, Television Host, Actor, Author
24 Ali Smith, Writer
25 George Michael, Musician
26 Spencer Livermore, Political Adviser
27 Nicholas Boles, Political Adviser
28 Simon Callow, Actor Author
29 David Hockney, Artist
30 Simon Russell, Beale Actor
31 Ashley Steel, Director, KPMG
32 Paul O’Grady, Television Host
33 Philip Treacy, Milliner
34 Deborah Warner, Theatre Director
35 Gregory Doran, Author Associate Director at the RSC
36 Graham Norton, Television Host
37 Tyler Brule, Chairman Creative Director of Wink
38 Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Playwright
39 Julian Clary, Television Host
40 Matthew Bourne, Choreographer
41 Sarah Waters, Novelist
42 Wolfgang Tillmans, Artist
43 Scott Mills, DJ
44 Howard Hodgkin, Artist
45 James Clark, Ambassador
46 Jeanette Winterson, Novelist
47 Ben Daniels, Actor
48 Sir Adrian Fulford, Judge
49 Andrew Pierce, Journalist
50 Nigel Coates, Architect
51 Peter Tatchell, Campaigner With Outrage!
52 Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP
53 Angela Eagle, Labour MP
54 Neil Bartlett, Theatre Director and Novelist
55 Craig Jones, Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander
56 Phyllida Lloyd, Theatre Director
57 Stephen Whitehead, Group Corporate Affairs Director, Barclays
58 Matthew Williamson, Fashion Designer
59 Patrick Cox, Shoe Designer
60 Ben Summerskill, Rights Campaigner
61 Chris Smith, Chair, London Cultural Consortium
62 Brian Paddick, Policeman, Deputy Assistant Commissioner
63 Mark Feehily, Boyband Member
64 Sean Mathias, Theatre and Film Director
65 Neil Tennant, Musician
66 Iain Renwick, CEO, Liberty
67 Johann Hari, Columnist
68 Nick Partridge, Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust
69 Fiona Shaw, Actress
70 Jonathan Harvey, Writer
71 Rupert Everett, Actor Novelist
72 Clive Barker, Horror Novelist
73 Matthew Parris, Political Commentator, Author
74 Dr Pepe, Catalan Psychiatrist
75 Ivan Massow, Entrepreneur
76 Margot James, Entrepreneur and Political Candidate
77 Lord Waheed Alli, Television Producer
78 Boy George, Musician DJ
79 Michael Clark, Dancer Turned Choreographer
80 Eileen Gallagher, CEO, Shed Productions
81 Angela Mason, Director Of The Women Equality Unit
82 Philip Hensher, Author, Critic
83 Andrew Cooke, Film Video Examiner, BBFC
84 Martin Raymond and Chris Sanderson, Trend Forecasters
85 Sandi Toksvig, Broadcaster and Writer
86 Chris Bryant, MP
87 Sir Antony Sher, Actor, Author Playwright
88 Spencer Fox, Managing Director, Axis
89 Anya Gallaccio, Artist
90 Saffron Burrows, Actress
91 Harry Rich Deputy, Chief Executive, Design Council
92 Maureen Chadwick, Scriptwriter
93 Miriam Margolyes, Actress
94 Maggi Hambling, Artist
95 Andrew Hayden-Smith, TV Presenter
96 Peter Gill, Playwright
97 Gary Stolkin, Headhunter
98 Steve Parkinson, National Brand Director, Emap Radio
99 Barnaby Dawe, Managing Director, Heart FM
100 Peter Cross, Managing Partner, Yellow Door
