Max Taylor
Innovators
Dr. Claire Lucas
Meet some of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Dr. Claire Lucas — with over two decades of experience across politics, government, and the nonprofit world — is a powerful advocate for freedom, democracy, and equality, who has made incredible strides in advancing LGBTQ+ rights both nationally and globally. As a key figure in the Democratic National Committee, Lucas has served as the deputy national finance chair and cochair of the Harris Victory Fund LGBTQ+ Council. She was also a founder of the DNC’s LGBTQ+ Council 25 years ago and continues to play a role on the Executive Committee.
During her tenure at the U.S. Agency for International Development, Lucas broke new ground in promoting global LGBTQ+ equality, earning the Distinguished Honor Award for her work. With a strong academic background and a career marked by pivotal roles in the World Bank and other international organizations, she has not only advocated for policy change but also implemented powerful programs. Her commitment and leadership make her an undeniable force for big changes.
“LGBTQ+ equality is not only about justice for a marginalized group,” she says. “Inclusive societies with broad political participation strengthen democracy and foster economic growth where everyone benefits — and that is the message we must send to leaders in the U.S. and around the world.” @claire.lucas.961
Gabriella Angelina
Melissa Simpson
Stacey YvonneStacey Yvonne is a critic and entertainment journalist who can be found in Los Angeles eating snacks at events. She loves to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community and specifically highlight Black and female members. She can be found at SYvonneCreative.com
Stacey Yvonne is a critic and entertainment journalist who can be found in Los Angeles eating snacks at events. She loves to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community and specifically highlight Black and female members. She can be found at SYvonneCreative.com
Stacey Yvonne is a critic and entertainment journalist who can be found in Los Angeles eating snacks at events. She loves to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community and specifically highlight Black and female members. She can be found at SYvonneCreative.com
Mars Sharrock
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Melissa Simpson
Becoming who you are — and showing people your true self — is essential for queer people, “but it’s also fun!” says Mars Sharrock, program director for The Wardrobe, a Philadelphia nonprofit combating clothing insecurity. Whether you need clothes for a job interview or to affirm your gender transition, The Wardrobe makes sure that you are kitted from head to toe.
“Fashion — feeling good in what you wear — is an expression of self. Self-determination goes beyond basic needs and is about creativity, expression, and freedom,” Sharrock says. And it’s self-determination that they want everyone to have access to, regardless of income, race, religion, or even criminal record.
The organization launched a program called “Returning Wardrobe,” which focuses on clothing and education services for formerly incarcerated people. And Sharrock has helped the program increase its services to transgender and queer community members by over 50 percent in just the past few years. “Clothing is a basic need, so I see the work The Wardrobe does as helping people get their basic needs met,” Sharrock says. @_sharrockin_