Independent on Sunday's Pink List
The Independent on Sunday’s Pink List 2010 was released at the start August, presenting us with what they had decided as the ‘101 most influential gay and lesbian people in Britain today’. Their aim in doing so was to spark debate as to who and why such people were included.
As with previous years, the majority of the list was made up with celebrities and media types. Yet this year the inclusion of activists and charity heads opens people’s eyes to those who are working for a greater good.
Pleasingly to see, several members of the Consortium appeared within its list this year. The highest ranking of them all being Peter Tatchell, co-founder of Outrage! who moved from his previous position of 37, all the way up to number 7. The judges of the list say that his move up was due to his crucial part in urging David Cameron to do more on gay rights.
When asked about his appearance in the list Tatchell responded by saying, “I don't think I deserve to be number 7 on the Pink List; perhaps number 70. There are many people who have done more and made a bigger impact. My contribution has been quite small. Of course, it is good to be recognised, but I pale into insignificance compared to the heroic LGBTI activists in repressive countries, like Iran, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Iraq, Russia and Cameroon. They are the real heroes and the truly inspiring campaigners. I salute them and walk in their shadow.”
Tim Franks, CEO of PACE Health who was also included shares Tatchell’s views. “I'm really flattered to be on the Pink List and it is good to see community and charity figures included. I also feel a bit of a fraud, I know many people who have worked at least as long, as hard and as productively as I have who are not included. I don't for one minute really believe I am the 93rd most influential LGBT person in the UK but it is nice to get some recognition.”
Franks founded the Nottingham Trent University’s LGB Society as well as lecturing in Lesbian and Gay studies. The Pink List claims that it is his tireless campaigning for over 20 years and becoming Chief Executive Officer of PACE Health that merits his appearance.
Another new entry in the list from the Consortium’s directory is Sue Sanders. When asked, Tony Fenwick co-chair of both Schools OUT and Chrysalis with Sue, commented on her inclusion by saying, “We're pleased and proud that Sue was included in the Pink List. It shows the length of commitment and hard work she has put into campaigning for LGBT people and for other oppressed groups for so many years. It's good to see activists up there among all the business people and celebrities.”
It was because Sue Sanders co-founded the LGBT History Month which has now been running for 6 years and helped set up Schools OUT, an organisation that has worked on making LGBT people visible in education since 1974; as well as numerous other projects that she was added to this year’s list.
Although the number of Consortium members making an emergence in this year’s Pink List is small, the increase in activists and charity heads has begun to grow slightly. The aim of the Pink List is to celebrate the influence and achievements of lesbians and gays, and even though the majority of the 101 names are from politics and media, we can only hope that the judges of the Pink List take the opportunity to make a difference and educate. Let’s hope see many more important names making it in next year.
You can find the entire IoS Pink List 2010 HERE.