Music teacher and Equality and Diversity trainer Elly Barnes is the Number One LGBT figure in the nation, according to the Independent Pink List. The annual list, published in the Independent on Sunday, named Elly as the Number one “unsung hero” who made life better for LGBT people. Elly, who is on the Schools OUT/LGBT History Month Committee and has been celebrating LGBT History Month, was beside herself at the news.
Schools OUT and LGBT History Month Co-Chair Sue Sanders came in at 43. Clare Dimyon OBE, who travels Central and Eastern Europe every year in support of Pride Solidarity, came 27th. LGBT History Month Patron Christine Burns is at number 35 and Gendered Intelligence’s co-founder Jay Stewart came in at 69, showing greater recognition of trans activists in the list. Labour Minister and LGBT History Month patron Angela Eagle, who withstood David Cameron’s “Calm down, dear!” jibe in the Commons, is at number 68.
In sports, rugby referee Nigel Owens is at 88 and out professional footballer Anton Hysen is at 101. UK Black Pride Managing Director Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is number 64
Equalities minister Lynne Featherstone is named as a national treasure, as are GIRES trans campaigners Bernard and Terri Reed.
The judges included Gareth Thomas, John Amaechi and Diva editor Jane Czyzselska. To see the list, go here