Entertainers dominate the Pink List
A compilation of the most prominent gay people in the UK has been published.
The Independent on Sunday newspaper brought forward publication in the light of Lord Browne’s resignation as chief executive of BP last week over a gay scandal.
The upper part of the list is dominated by entertainers. Doctor Who producer and writer Russell T Davies is the most powerful gay man in Britain, according to the newspaper, followed by TV presenter Stephen Fry.
The first MP to make the list is Greg Barker, who was revealed to be having a gay affair last year.
Mr Barker is a shadow environment minister and close friend of David Cameron.
He is listed at number 20.
A close friend of Gordon Brown has shot into the top 10.
Spencer Livermore, political adviser to the Chancellor, was at 23 last year and is at number seven this year.
“Lauded as brilliant, this 31-year-old adviser is a much trusted policy confidant of Gordon Brown, and is virtually assured of a key position at No 10 within two months.
“Read economics and politics at the LSE, before joining the Labour Party’s economic research unit in 1997, where he was soon fast-tracked,” says the Independent.
Gaydar founder Henry Badenhorst came fourth, after Sir Elton John.
Peter Mandelson is the most influential politician on the list.
The European Trade Commissioner is the sixth-most powerful gay person in the UK.
Human rights activist and Green candidate for Parliament Peter Tatchell jumps from 51 to 24.
Candidate for the Tory nomination for Mayor of London Nicholas Boles stays at 27.
“An influential member of the “Notting Hill set” and Cameron ally, Boles counters accusations of homophobia in the Tory party, stating: “Most prejudice in the party has degenerated. I think we now have the most gay candidates.” Boles set up a DIY supply firm in the mid-1990s,” says the Independent.
Gay Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli is up from 77 to 30 this year.
Ben Bradshaw, who became the first MP to have a civil partnership and continues to impress as an environment minister, is at 38.
The permanent secretary for government communications, Howell James, is down from 13 to 46.
Gay Tory shadow cabinet member Alan Duncan is at 65, just beating Times columnist and former MP Matthew Parris.
Labour MP Chris Bryant is up from 86 to 69 after playing a key role in the government’s decision to refuse out-outs for Roman Catholic adoption agencies from equality legislation.
At 53 is Ben Summerskill.
“As head of the gay-rights group Stonewall since 2003, Summerskill, 45, has been invaluable in trumpeting the diversity cause in all walks of life. The former journalist and one-time Labour councillor was pivotal in campaigns for the repeal of Section 28 and the introduction of civil partnerships for gay people. Has recently turned his attention to ensuring workplace equality and stamping homophobia out of schools,” says the Independent.
To see the full list click here.