There are so many incredible LGBTQI women and non-binary changemakers in our community. It was quite the task to narrow this list down to just 100. We are seeing more LGBTQI people than ever before represented onscreen and thriving across various sectors.
That said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Whilst our times are often referred to as the “golden age of gay”, there are numerous battles ongoing.
Here in the UK, we are still feeling the effects of Section 28, and across the pond in the US we are seeing our pasts echoed with the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Around the globe there is a rise in homophobia and transphobia.
In the UK, many in our government seem focused on dividing and conquering our wonderful community, demonstrated by the recent refusal to protect trans and non-binary people within the ban on conversion “therapy”. This bleak news was soothed by the powerful display of solidarity, with people posting about #LGBwithTheT and staging protests urging for all to be included within the ban. These times are a stark reminder of the need to stand together and fight for a better future for our community.
With that said, we must also take time to celebrate how far we have come. The folks on this list are proof that individuals and groups can spark great change. So join us in raising a toast to the work that they’ve done in increasing visibility, providing representation and fighting for a more just world.
Power List 2022 INFLUENCER
Spotlight on...
Whitney & Megan Bacon-Evans IVF campaigners & travel vloggers @WhatWeganDid
Lesbian influencers Whitney and Megan Bacon- Evans are LGBTQI content creators.They have been featured in the Guardian, Cosmopolitan,VICE, BBC and more, and recently initiated a legal campaign against NHS Frimley CCG after perceiving injustices in IVF access.They were also the first lesbian couple to appear on Say Yes To The Dress UK.
The couple have been visible online since 2009 when Megan set up their What Wegan Did Next blog. “At that time there was virtually no lesbian representation, as well as a great lack of lesbian role models in the media,” says Megan. “We hoped by putting our faces online, and showing a happy same-sex female couple, that it may help a few others struggling to accept who they are.”
When the pair embarked on their baby journey in 2020, they had no idea where to turn for information. Whitney explains, “That’s why we’ve tried to provide as much info as possible on our platforms, to help others navigate this journey. Of course, we weren’t expecting to realise that there’s many barriers and discrimination in place for LGBTQI people wanting to create their family.”
Following their IVF campaign with Stonewall, they’ve received many messages of support from other same-sex couples who have shared their own fertility journey. “We’ve even received messages saying that they had already given up hopes of creating a family one day but that our actions may literally change their life.Which is heartbreaking to read, but also reminds us of the wider impact that we hope to achieve for others.”
Abigail Thorn
Actor & YouTuber @PhilosophyTube
Abigail Thorn is an actor, YouTuber and the creator of Philosophy Tube. Her debut play will be staged in London this year and she has a leading role in Django, a Western period drama coming soon. In 2021, Abigail came out as trans.
Fleur MacInnes
Trans academic at Oxford & TikToker @queerfeministry
Fleur MacInnes is a DPhil student researching trans feminist histories at Christ Church college, University of Oxford.At 23, they have over 27K followers onTikTok and much of their content surrounds queer, feminist history, whilst also navigating their neurodiversity and educating their followers about gender identity.
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard
Content creator, deaf & disabled activist @JessicaOOTC
Jessica is a deaf and disabled YouTuber, with a following of over 900K subscribers on YouTube and 335K followers on Instagram. She advocates for the LGBTQI community and spreads awareness of people living with disabilities. Vintage fashion-loving, she lives with her wife Claudia and their 10-month-old son, Rupert.
Lottie L’Amour
Marketing manager at TikTok & social media influencer @Lottie_Lamour
Marketing manager for UK, Ireland and the Nordics at TikTok, Lottie brings an LGBTQI focus to the leading destination for short-form video. She is the co-lead at Pride Europe,TikTok’s LGBTQI+ employee network, driving initiatives that benefit both LGBTQI employees and LGBTQI content creators on TikTok.
Mikaela Loach
Climate justice activist & medic @mikaelaloach
Mikaela Loach is a climate justice activist, writer and co-host of The Yikes Podcast. Her organising work and Instagram focuses on highlighting the harm caused by the fossil fuel industry, and
