Manchester names feature in Rainbow List for 2015

The Rainbow List 2015 has been unveiled. Celebrating today’s 101 most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people in Britain, with intersex people recognized for the first time.

The judges for this year included, Ben Bradshaw Labour MP for Exeter, Christine Burns Author, retired activist and equality specialist, Paris Lees Journalist and campaigner, Ela Xora Mask maker, visual, aural and performance artist, Claire Harvey Paralympian and senior consultant, Asif Quraishi Drag queen, Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah Co-founder and executive director of UK Black Pride, Charlie Condou Writer, actor and activist, Margot James Conservative MP for Stourbridge and finally, Felix Lane Co-director of Open Barbers.

Annie Wallace Last month Annie Wallace became the first transgender actress to have a regular role in Channel 4’s popular soap Hollyoaks, as a transgender teacher. Previously, she worked in a consultative role for the character of the transgender Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street.

Bethany Black Actor and comedian Black, who played trans character Helen Brears in Russell T Davies’s Cucumber, Banana and Tofu, is to become the first out transgender actor to appear in Doctor Who. The comedian has been described as Britain’s only “goth, lesbian, transsexual stand-up comedian”.

Tim Sigsworth CEO, The Albert Kennedy Trust Sigsworth has provided as strong a voice as ever over the past year, helping to bring attention to the disproportionate number of young LGBT homeless people. The Albert Kennedy Trust provides safe accommodation for LGBT young people in Manchester, London and Newcastle.

Paul Martin CEO, LGBT Foundation Martin, who has awarded an OBE in 2011, has overseen a name change from the Lesbian and Gay Foundation to the LGBT Foundation to include bisexual and trans people more visibly in its services. The Foundation offers everything from sexual health testing to support groups.

This years list also includes Mark Geary and James Edgington in the 'Ones to watch'who formed the inaugural Bolton Pride.

Published: 19-Nov-2015: (3408)