How do you measure power in the 21st century? Each year we rank the most influential LGBT people in American culture. It's not an easy task, and we take into account a variety of criteria: everything from someone's political clout or visibility in the media to how they impact our economy and our view of the world. It's an impressive group of movers and shakers — and the changing look of the list indicates an expanding and inspiring sense of what it means to have power in 2015.
Photo Illustrations by Thomas Allen
CEO, Apple, 54
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Talk Show Host/Producer/Spokesperson, 57
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News Anchor/Political Commentator, 42
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U.S. Senator, 53
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News Anchor, 47
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Executive Director, ACLU, 49
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President, Human Rights Campaign, 41
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International President, SEIU, 57
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Actress/Transgender Advocate, 30
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TV Producer/Host, 46
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Writer/Director/Producer, 49
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Actress, 54
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Journalist/Lawyer, 48
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Actor/TV Personality, 41
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Singer/Songwriter/Producer, 39
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Actor/Producer, 37
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Drag Queen/Actor/Recording Artist, 54
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Mayor of Houston, 58
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News Anchor, 51
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TV Host, 54
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News Anchor, 49
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Writer/Director/Producer, 42
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Media Mogul/Philanthropist, 72
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CTO of the United States, 50
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Filmmaker/Producer, 55
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U.S. Representative, Rhode Island, 53
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Fashion Designer, 55
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Football Player, 25
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Fashion Designer, 31
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Activist/Author, 79
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President, Ford Foundation, 55
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Film Producer, 29
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Actor/Producer, 28
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Basketball Player, 24
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Editorial Director, People and Entertainment Weekly
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U.S. Representative, Colorado, 39
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President and Executive Creative Director, J. Crew, 46
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Business/Political Strategist, 48
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CEO, Gawker Media, 48
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Founder and President, Freedom to Marry, 58
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Entrepreneur/Inventor, 60
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Musician, 27
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Journalist/Podcast Host, 50
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Designer/Filmmaker, 53
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Founder and Managing Editor, TMZ, 64
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Screenwriter/Activist/Producer, 40
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U.S. Representative, California, 54
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President, Discovery Channel, 53
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Author/Activist, 31
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TV Anchor, 42
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Attorney, 49
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Filmmaker, 49
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Internet Celebrity, 26
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Columnist, 52
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Entrepreneur, 31
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