The “Power 50†list is out!
Every year, Out Magazine publishes its “Power 50†list of whom it sees as the most influential lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans. The list, which has been criticized not only for the very concept of ranking human beings, but for its seeming lack of transgender Americans, does have its benefits too.
Here are some highlights.
Ellen DeGeneres took over the number one slot — bumping Apple CEO Tim Cook to number two (if only he had done more than tweet about passing ENDA but had actually helped get it passed.)
MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow — who has been credited with shaping the network — is number three, and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin comes in at number four.
The man who exposed the NSA by telling Edward Snowden’s story, Glenn Greenwald jumps on the list at number five.
A few more in the top ten:
8. Neil Patrick Harris
9. Michael Sam
10. Robin Roberts
Sadly, attorney Roberta Kaplan, the woman who took Edie Windsor’s case all the way to the Supreme Court, and won — striking down Section 3 of DOMA, ranks only number 47.
Gawker Media creator and CEO Nick Denton — the man who shaped today’s online media more than almost anyone else, comes in at number 45. Facebook Cofounder Chris Hughes, whose estimated net worth is $850 million and who bought and reimagined The New Republic, beats Denton, coming in at number 40.
Nate Silver is number 36, Evan Wolfson — the father of the modern day marriage movement — is number 30.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker number 21.
And the last one we’ll tell — you’ll have to see the list yourself for more — Anderson Cooper, at number 14.
Notably missing: Fox News anchor Shepard Smith, who has made the list before, even though he is not openly-gay, or, for all we know, gay.