Out Magazine recently published it’s “Power 50,” their take on the 50 most powerful LGBT people in mainstream society. What was striking was the lack of bisexual, transgender and minority representation on the list. San diego LGBT weekly was the first to draw attention to the lack of diversity and our publisher, Stampp Corbin, led the charge.
Out contacted Corbin via email to explain that the list was about influence in mainstream society. Their editor, Aaron Hicklin, stated in response to the criticism “… the main point here is that this isn’t about people who have influence within the LGBT world (which would be a different list, more like our annual Out 100, which is far more representative), but of gay men and women who have influence in mainstream society. If that’s tough enough for heterosexual minorities, it’s even tougher for LGBT racial and ethnic minorities.” I guess President Obama and First Lady Michelle are a fluke.
In response to these claims, Out has begun to recieve lists of bisexuals, minorities and transgender individuals that meet their criteria. While this does not mean that they would make the final list, it does help to broaden Out’s perspective.
To see the full list: http://www.out.com/power50/