• Send us Mail
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Join our Facebook Group
  • Subscribe to our RSS Feed
  • Search Site

Polari Magazine

  • Home
  • Up Front
    • Editorial
    • Clementine: The Living Fashion Doll
    • Polari Safari
    • WTF? Friday
    • Bulletin Board
    • Polari Facts
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • Features
    • Gallery
    • Opinion
    • Heroes & Villains
  • Community
    • Oral Histories
    • Coming Out Stories
    • Relationships
    • IDAHO
    • LGBT History Month
    • Blogs
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Film and Television
    • Music
    • Stage
    • Visual Arts
    • Classics: Books
    • Classics: Film and Television
    • Classics: Music
  • About
    • About Polari Magazine
    • Contributors
    • Contact

You are here: Polari Magazine / Bulletin Board / The Independent Pink List LGBT Heroes

The Independent Pink List LGBT Heroes

06 Oct 2011 / Comments Off / in Bulletin Board/by Bryon Fear

Independent Pink List LGBT Heroes
Consider a Vote for David Watters
October, 2011 …………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Independent on Sunday‘s annual Pink List returns next month, celebrating the 101 most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain.

As is the case every year, last year’s list was populated with many a recognisable name from the rank and file of celebrity. There were MPs, authors, theatre impresarios, comedians, directors of film, directors of museums, media moguls, a poet laureate and of course a colourful array of stage and screen thespians. Occasionally, there was the odd surprise, such as a trooper from the Household Cavalry or, rarer still, from the homophobic ridden world of sport, an ex-Captain of the Welsh Rugby Team.

It’s notable that only three of the names on the list were identified as human rights campaigners or activists. It’s very likely that most, if not all, of the other 98 nominees also have some interest in the pursuit of human rights (and some I am sure have actively done so) but it’s not what defines them. The current social fascination with celebrity means that for someone in the media spotlight, the single act of coming out and saying “I am gay” is a political act, and one that can land you on the Pink List. What the majority of the nominees have in common is media attention. Yes they are gay, but they are also famous, often becoming more so when announcing their homosexuality.

I don’t deny that living in the public eye and being openly gay has its challenges. I too admire those ‘celebrities’ that are out, who use that honesty to challenge and change public opinion. But where on this List are the people who are not in the glare of the media; the ones who fight legislation that bolsters inequality, who actively pursue the human rights and equality for all? Since the printing of the first gay magazine Der Eigene in 1896, to the protesters at the Stonewall Riots in 1969, through to those that walked in the first Gay Pride Parade in Prague this year, there have been many an unsung hero who have helped bring about change and given us the human rights that we are fortunate enough to enjoy today. David Watters is one such person.

David is currently fighting for marriage equality in the European Courts of Human Rights as a part of the Equal Love Campaign. He also founded the Give ‘Em Hope campaign and is the author of Never Blend In. He has also spoken alongside Peter Tatchell and Stuart Milk at the No to Hate Vigil in Trafalgar Square and is a supporter of the HIV/AIDS charity the Terrence Higgins Trust.

A vote for David on the Independent on Sunday‘s Pink List is a vote for all of those that campaign tireless for everyone’s human rights, who do so without the aid of fame or the media coverage that comes with it.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
Tags: david watters, equal love campaign, give 'em hope campaign, independent newspaper pink list, lgbt pink list, peter tatchell

Related Posts

Did you like this entry?
Here are a few more posts that might be interesting for you.
Related Posts
Equal Love case filed to European Court
World Pride, London 2012
LGBT Heroes – Day 27
An Equal Love Campaign update: Matthew and Scott
LGBT History Month Heroes – Day 23
Proud to be …
History Month Heroes 22 – 29
Celebrating 40 years of Gay Liberation
Hope and Remembrance • The Candlelit Vigil 2010
Have Your Say on Equality

Search Polari

Latest Posts

  • Polari Magazine 2008-2014December 3, 2014 - 6:16 pm
  • Tearing Up Their Map: An Interview with LambDecember 2, 2014 - 2:45 pm
  • Future Islands • GigDecember 2, 2014 - 1:41 pm
  • Puppets with Attitude (at Christmas)December 1, 2014 - 6:30 pm
  • The Aesthetic of Voyeurism: Interview with Antonio Da SilvaDecember 1, 2014 - 1:25 pm
  • Broke With Expensive Taste • Azealia BanksNovember 28, 2014 - 3:59 pm
  • Royalty Strutting on an American College Stage: Miss and Mr. Gay ISU 2014November 27, 2014 - 2:59 pm
  • Bright Light Bright Light: Everything I Ever WantedNovember 26, 2014 - 11:15 am
  • Jaime Nanci And The Blueboys: ‘Toy’ TalkNovember 25, 2014 - 4:09 pm

About Polari Magazine

Polari Magazine is an LGBT arts and culture magazine that explores the subculture by looking at what is important to the people who are in it. It’s about the lives we lead, not the lifestyles we’re supposed to lead.

Its content is informed & insightful, and features a diverse range of writers from every section of the community. Its intent is to help LGBT readers learn about their own heritage and to sustain a link between the present and the past.

Polari is designed to nurture the idea of community, whether that be social and political, or artistic and creative. It is your magazine, whether you want to read it, or whether you want to get involved in it, if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, or queer.

Polari Magazine is all these: it's a gay online magazine; it's a gay and lesbian online magazine; it's an LGBT arts and culture magazine. Ultimately, it is a queer magazine.

Latest Posts

  • Polari Magazine 2008-2014December 3, 2014 - 6:16 pm
  • Tearing Up Their Map: An Interview with LambDecember 2, 2014 - 2:45 pm
  • Future Islands • GigDecember 2, 2014 - 1:41 pm
  • Puppets with Attitude (at Christmas)December 1, 2014 - 6:30 pm
  • The Aesthetic of Voyeurism: Interview with Antonio Da SilvaDecember 1, 2014 - 1:25 pm
  • Broke With Expensive Taste • Azealia BanksNovember 28, 2014 - 3:59 pm
  • Royalty Strutting on an American College Stage: Miss and Mr. Gay ISU 2014November 27, 2014 - 2:59 pm
  • Bright Light Bright Light: Everything I Ever WantedNovember 26, 2014 - 11:15 am
  • Jaime Nanci And The Blueboys: ‘Toy’ TalkNovember 25, 2014 - 4:09 pm

Twitter

Tweets by @PolariMagazine

Archive

  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • July 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • May 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
© Copyright - Polari Magazine - Wordpress Theme by Kriesi.at
  • scroll to top
  • Send us Mail
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Join our Facebook Group
  • Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Website Privacy & Cookies