From comedic roles in Reno:911 and Scream Queens to dramatic parts in When They See Us and Dahmer, Niecy Nash-Betts is not only an acclaimed actor of impressive range; she is a cultural powerhouse that moves audiences to care about marginalized people. As the Out100 Icon of the Year, Nash-Betts is a leading light to inspire the LGBTQ+ community to be bolder and brighter even in the face of setbacks.
“I love being Black. I love being a woman. And now I’m a Black queer woman in a relationship with another Black queer woman, and it matters," says Nash-Betts, whose 2022 marriage to Jessica Betts is an inspiration in the power of queer love.
And Nash-Betts won't back down as conservative forces threaten to undo the progress of LGBTQ+ rights. “Stepping on somebody’s ability to love whoever they want to love is wild. It’s wild behavior. And so let me tell you, I would definitely be on the front lines [to fight for marriage equality]," she says in Out's cover story. @niecynash1
Mey Rude
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.
Tracy E. GilchristTracy E. Gilchrist is the VP of Editorial and Special Projects at equalpride. A media veteran, she writes about the intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
Tracy E. Gilchrist is the VP of Editorial and Special Projects at equalpride. A media veteran, she writes about the intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
Tracy E. Gilchrist is the VP of Editorial and Special Projects at equalpride. A media veteran, she writes about the intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
The 2025 Out100: Nathan Lee Graham
These are the LGBTQ+ people making the world bolder and brighter in 2025.
“Keep it up, keep it cute, and keep it moving. My life’s philosophy,” says Mid-Century Modern’s Nathan Lee Graham, a veteran theater, film, and TV star. Graham’s wry and heartfelt sensibility drew viewers to him in the Hulu sitcom that costarred Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane, and Linda Lavin. And fans of the mockumentary Theater Camp will recall his turn as the camp’s choreographer with a fabulous fashion sense and a withering sense of humor.
The decorated actor has appeared onstage in Sarah Ruhl’s Orlando, Hadestown, Titanique, and Wig Out! Graham’s film and TV roles include The Comeback, Absolutely Fabulous, Sweet Home Alabama, and Zoolander. This fall, he stars in the revival of Stephen Schwartz’s The Baker’s Wife with Ariana DeBose, Scott Bakula, and Judy Kuhn.
Throughout his career, he’s elevated visibility for LGBTQ+ people. For all of his success, he’s grappled with “finally accepting that I am good and great enough for all of the things I do. Period.”
His advice to others? “More than ever, one must lean into your authentic self! Do not cower, do not shy away. Stand firm!” @nathanleegraham