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Sofia Barrriera Pinto Soares
Jincey Lumpkin Out100 Voices Stories Juicy Pink Box  lesbian hugh hefner
Sofia Barrriera Pinto Soares
Out100 | Voices

This 'lesbian Hugh Hefner' is creating a safe, inclusive place to explore sex

Out100 honoree Jincey Lumpkin shares her journey to LGBTQ+ visibility, acceptance, and creating a safe space for exploration.

30 Years, 30 Stories: join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Out100 with our Voices essays, featuring powerful personal narratives from past honorees that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community. Unlock the Out100 Vault to explore additional stories and reflect on three decades of progress and resilience. And, while you’re there, don’t forget to cast your vote for this year's Out100 Reader's Choice!

The "lesbian Hugh Hefner." The "Oprah of sexuality."

Being named to the Out100 list was a dream come true for Jincey Lumpkin, the sex-positive writer and 2010 honoree.

"I had just launched my company, Juicy Pink Box, and it was a huge moment for me," she shares. "I remember thinking, if I could just be in Out once, I knew I made it." The recognition was also a personal triumph.

Growing up in the American South, lesbian visibility was practically nonexistent. She came out at 25, and by the time she made the list five years later, Jincey was still dealing with some internalized homophobia and a lack of community. But it was her move to New York where she gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be queer.

Lumpkin's journey to that moment was one of determination and a desire to create something meaningful. In 2007, she began writing a sex blog; a year later, she found investors to launch her sex-positive company, Juicy Pink Box, a digital destination for "all things sexy."

Being named to the Out100 validated her efforts and acknowledged a community she longed to connect with.

"It was like being exploded out of a glitter cannon," Lumpkin laughs, describing how the recognition catapulted her career and bonded her even further with the LGBTQ+ community. Professionally, being named in the Out100 put her and her company "in a new stratosphere." People began to see her as someone with something to say, and it legitimized her work in a way that opened doors.

However, visibility also came with some challenges.

Lumpkin underwent personal changes, including a divorce and remarriage, all under the public gaze. She admits that navigating the dating world as a known figure was also peculiar. But through it all, she found love again and grew personally.

The company also evolved. It was initially marketed toward lesbians, but Lumpkin realized the importance of inclusivity. As the brand prepares for its relaunch, Juicy Pink Box embraces a broader spectrum of sexual and gender identities, aiming to provide a safe space for exploration.

"I think in the intervening years, I've really listened a lot and gained a lot of understanding," she explains. This evolution is reflected in the company featuring an inclusive adult entertainment section and pages dedicated to identity exploration.

At a time when queer identity is facing challenges, Lumpkin believes in the power of media representation and visibility. "Visibility isn't just about being seen; it's about being heard and understood," she asserts. Despite the erosion of progress in recent years, she remains committed to pushing for inclusivity and maintaining the rights gained.

Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the Out100, Lumpkin feels a deep sense of pride and gratitude. "Being part of something really important and profound, amongst really good company, feels like a hug from the community," she reflects.

The evolution of Lumpkin and Juicy Pink Box has been about creating a safe, inclusive space for people to explore and understand their identities. She continues to dream big and push boundaries, all while staying true to her mission of understanding and acceptance.

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People
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Magnus Hastings for Sandra Bernhard
Sandra Bernhard OUT100 voices
Magnus Hastings for Sandra Bernhard
Out100 | Voices

The bisexual comedy queen who is unfiltered, unstoppable, and always ahead of the curve

From the comedy stage to starring in hit shows like Roseanne and Pose, Sandra Bernhard reflects on her work and being part of the inaugural Out100 list.

30 Years, 30 Stories: join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Out100 with our Voices essays, featuring powerful personal narratives from past honorees that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community. Unlock the Out100 Vault to explore additional stories and reflect on three decades of progress and resilience.

I can't remember the first time I saw Sandra Bernhard on television. Still, I vividly remember how bold, brash, and ahead of the curve she was.

She brought that same energy to our chat. And with her unmistakable candor, Sandra reminisced about her storied career and what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community today.

In 1994, when Sandra was first named in the inaugural Out100 list, her world was different. "I was deep into it, living my life, performing a lot, doing a lot of live shows," she muses. "It was years and years before social media, so people could just be fresh and original and do their thing without the scrutiny and the microscope of today's world." She was also in the midst of her groundbreaking role on Roseanne as Nancy, the first recurring bisexual character on a major TV network.

"Roseanne was very adventurous and way ahead of the curve back then," she recalls. "We just wanted to do a character that was really fun and quirky." Though the character was groundbreaking in terms of bi-representation, Roseanne's Nancy was about existing beyond her queerness. "That's what I love about my work," Sandra affirms. "It's always assuming that everybody else is already caught up with us."

For Sandra, it wasn't about breaking barriers or pushing boundaries but about being herself. "I never felt like I was doing something heroic by being who I was," she says. "I was always out, always authentic."

That sense of authenticity has been a hallmark of Sandra's career, spanning over decades, and she has tackled roles in everything from cult comedies to serious dramas. Among her most recent roles was in the groundbreaking series Pose, covering the 1980s and early '90s New York City ballroom scene. Her character was one that Sandra brought her personal experiences to, seeing it all from the AIDS epidemic to the present-day battles for trans rights. "I've always tried to do roles that align with what I believe," she says. "For me, it wasn't about doing something special."

"Trans people are my family, people I love and have a total connection with."

Magnus Hastings for Sandra Bernhard

But Sandra is never one to rest on her laurels. She's set to appear in the second season of Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians. "It's always amazing to get another role," she says, relishing the opportunity to dive into a fantasy world. "I had to get my face molded for the show… They're making some insane contraption for me and Margaret Cho. I think we're all supposed to be one character. It's a whole other adventure!"

And there's more on the horizon. Sandra is gearing up for a series of performances, including her annual run at Joe's Pub in New York City, where she's known for her sharp wit, incisive commentary, and a knack for summing up the year's events. "I do this every year, a kind of marathon of shows," she explains. "I get to sum up the whole year, and there's so much happening politically."

And Sandra's thoughts on the political and cultural landscape are as sharp as ever.

Outside of her professional life, Sandra is surprisingly leveled. "I love doing day-to-day things," she shares, enjoying everything from shopping at the grocery store to cooking and doing laundry. "I love that insular feeling of being with family and doing things that ground me daily."

Reflecting on her place in the Out100 and what it means to be part of this legacy, Sandra is as thoughtful as ever. "It means so much," she says. I really just want to be a part of the grooviness, goodness, and creativity the LGBTQ+ community is constantly at the forefront of."

And for Sandra, that's what it's all about. Being part of something bigger, something transformative, and something real. She's a force of nature, a trailblazer, and, most importantly, a storyteller who's always ready to push the envelope just a little bit further.

As she says, "I'm halfway to my destination. So if you want to come along, just jump in the back seat."

See All 2023's Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ People
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Disruptors
Educators
Groundbreakers
Innovators
Storytellers

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A Haitian-American trans woman, she tirelessly champions voices from the LGBTQ+ community, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each story with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @ageofadelina.

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A Haitian-American trans woman, she tirelessly champions voices from the LGBTQ+ community, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each story with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @ageofadelina.