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This year’s Power List, a list by Out magazine of the most powerful gays in the US, has been announced. There are 71 total people on the list, filling 65 spots, and of those people 15 are women. As for how a person’s power is measured, here’s what Out says:
In a world in which we have inexpensive tools to reach billions, it may seem that the globe truly is flat, and we’re all on an even playing field. But a few exemplary individuals manage to influence the way others live -- either through their public personas, politics, or wealth -- and affect cultural and social attitudes.
As for how the women ranked:
Ellen DeGeneres is Number 2:
Now that Oprah has left network television, DeGeneres reigns supreme with her talk show, using her pulpit to change public opinion. When J.C. Penney tapped her as its spokesperson, antigay group One Million Moms campaigned to remove her, which was followed by the unthinkable: Bill O’Reilly came to her defense. J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson ignored the hate and decided to keep DeGeneres, saying, “She shares the same values that we do in our company.”
Rachel Maddow is Number 5:
Maddow took the reins of MSNBC primetime after the departure of Keith Olbermann, headlining the channel’s 25th consecutive monthly ratings victory in the 9 p.m. slot over CNN. She earned an Emmy for her coverage of Afghanistan this year, and, with the upcoming presidential election, she’s poised to become ever more prominent.
US Representative from Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin shares Number 12 with two male US Representatives.
As for the remaining women on the list: Christine Quinn, New York City Council Speaker is Number 24; Suze Orman, financial advisor and talk show host, is Number 25; Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston, is Number 29; Martha Nelson, Editorial Director at Time, Inc. is Number 31; Mary Kay Henry, International President, SEIU, is Number 33; Jenna Lyons, J. Crew’s President and Executive Creative Director, is Number 41; Google Executive Megan Smith is Number 45; Glee star Jane Lynch is Number 47; Widney Brown, Senior Director at Amnesty International is Number 53; California Superior Court Judge Victoria Kolakowski is Number 56; Vermont State Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson is Number 61; and CNN Correspondent and Democratic Strategist Hilary Rosen is Number 62.
See everyone who made The Power List on Out.
