By Pip
Storytellers
Richard Gadd
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Scottish comedian, actor, and writer Richard Gadd shot to international fame this year with the release of Baby Reindeer, a Netflix dramedy inspired by Gadd’s real-life relationship with a woman who became his stalker. Gadd portrayed the lead, Donny Dunn, as he grappled with this stalker, his bisexual identity, and his repressed history of sexual assault.
Baby Reindeer won six Emmys, including Best Limited Series and Best Actor for Gadd. But beyond awards, Gadd appreciates that his story has resonated with and inspired LBGTQ+ people.
“I get messages and letters from people saying, ‘Oh, this show allowed me to finally come out to my parents.’ And, ‘This show allowed me to finally speak to my wife about the fact that I’m bisexual,’” Gadd shares. “That’s really, really powerful stuff, because I know…what it’s like to carry that weight around with you all the time…[thinking] you need to be a certain way so the world can accept you. And so the fact that it’s moving people to make this positive change in their lives is incredible.” @mrrichardgadd
Daniel Reynolds
Daniel Reynolds is the editor-in-chief of Out and an award-winning journalist who focuses on the intersection between entertainment and politics. This Jersey boy has now lived in Los Angeles for more than a decade.
Daniel Reynolds is the editor-in-chief of Out and an award-winning journalist who focuses on the intersection between entertainment and politics. This Jersey boy has now lived in Los Angeles for more than a decade.
Ron Amato
Mark Cortale
Meet some of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Ron Amato
Broadway has long been home to many great LGBTQ+ artists and businesspeople throughout the years, and producer Mark Cortale is proud to be a part of that legacy. The producer of the three-time Tony-nominated new musical Days of Wine and Roses by Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel served as producing artistic director at the Art House in Provincetown before moving to Broadway last year, and he’s not slowing down.
In September, he produced Table 17 by Douglas Lyons off-Broadway, and coming up in April, he’s partnering with Lincoln Center to produce Tina Landau and Adam Guettel’s musical Floyd Collins. “The LGBTQ+ community is comprised of incredibly compassionate, intelligent, and talented people,” Cortale says. “We are your sons, your daughters, your brothers, and your sisters. Embrace us — we are here to stay.” @cortalemark