(photo The Telegraph)
For readers who count on me to report the obvious: the UK has gone wild for gay 100 lists.
The British newspaper the Independent on Sunday has released its tenth annual Pink List, ranking the 101 most powerful LGBT people in the United Kingdom. Unlike here, the gays in Britain (and in France) hold top cabinet positions in government. This year's number one, Peter Mandelson, is Secretary of State for Business and more recently added the title First Secretary of State which the Independent translates as "Deputy Prime Minister in all but name." Furthermore, they consider Lord Mandelson "arguably the most powerful individual in the country." (Meanwhile, we're expected to be grateful for the Director of OPM.)
Ranked second and third on the 2009 Pink List are actors / activists Stephen Fry and Ian McKellan. Historian and frequent television face David Starkey is fourth. The highest ranked lesbian, in the fifth spot, is post-punk rocker Beth Ditto, a choice that itself is a little punk, considering she's an American.
In sixth place is writer Alan Bennett, seventh is director Phyllida Lloyd (responsible for many English operas, East End plays, and her first movie Mamma Mia!), eighth is Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, ninth is poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, and tenth is Nick Bowles, head of implementation for the conservative party.
To see all 101 rankings, you have to click through their slideshow person by person.
Have you read Moab is My Washpot by Stephen Fry, #2 on the list?
Posted by: Chris | July 01, 2009 at 07:44 AM