What a difference a year makes. The global economic crisis has pushed Democratic congressman Barney Frank to the top of Out magazine’s third annual list of America’s most influential gay men and woman. The 69-year old head of the House Financial Services Committee, who ranked second last year, has been a leading voice for banking reform in the wake of the financial crisis, as well as a prominent advocate for gay civil rights.
Others on the list include Ellen DeGeneres (#2), CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper (#3), media mogul Barry Diller (#8), and financial guru Suze Orman (#22). But what’s most striking is the number of new names on the list—17 in total—that reflect the growing visibility of America’s gays and lesbians. New names include MSNBC host Rachel Maddow (#4), the Oscar winning screenwriter of Milk, Dustin Lance Black (#25), Facebook co-creator Chris Hughes (#32), newly-out comedian and actress Wanda Skyes (#35), and Michelle Obama’s dressmaker Jason Wu (#44).
More information, including where to see the full list, after the jump.
“Barney Frank represents a remarkable American, not just for the crucial role he plays in determining how the stimulus money is spent, but in using his position to elevate the cause of gay and lesbian civil rights,” said Editor in Chief Aaron Hicklin. “In a year marking the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, his success—and that of the others on this list—reflects a growing consensus that all Americans deserve equal rights and protections.”
Frank is joined by a cadre of politicians and activists whose profiles have been given a boost by the Obama presidency. They include the controversial gay Episcopalian bishop V. Gene Robinson (#7), congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (#11), congressman Jared Polis (#16), and director of the Export-Import Bank Fred Hochberg (#12).
Also on this year’s list is Matt Drudge, the owner of the right-wing news-aggregating site Drudge Report. Although he has not publicly acknowledged his sexuality, the 42-year old journalist has enjoyed a long-term relationship with a male landscape gardener.
Editorial staff began assembling the 2009 list at the beginning of the year, basing their rankings on each candidate’s cultural resonance, political influence, media profile, and wealth. “For many of the most powerful gay men and women in America, sexuality takes a backseat to their career accomplishments, but we think their achievements deserve acknowledging,” says Hicklin.
The full Power 50 can be found at http://www.out.com/power50.
