visionary genius
Honorees announced daily through June 30, 2023
Letter from the Editor
It's Pride season and this year we're celebrating queer joy and saying gay louder than ever. I'm thrilled to introduce the 2023 Queerty Pride50, honoring 50 incredible LGBTQ+ people who have made an impact and inspired us over the last year. From actors to activists, politicians to drag queens, this year's Pride50 honorees represent a wide range of backgrounds and identities, but they all have one thing in common: not only have they achieved professional breakthroughs, but they make us proud! Over the next 50 days, Queerty will release profiles celebrating these remarkable individuals — head here to see who's next. And Happy Pride!
Graham Gremore, Editor in Chief, Queerty
strong stand
Zooey Zephyr was silenced for speaking out, and became a political star in the process
true original
Designer and drag artist Godoy shines bright by always being 100% himself
pride on
WATCH: All the best bits of the Queerty Pride50 party in New York
acting up
Justice Smith never hid his authenticity, and it shines through in all of his roles
style guru
Stylist Michael Fisher is helping make fashion a less intimidating and more empowering space
scene stealer
J. Harrison Ghee is snatching Tonys and making nonbinary history
rising star
Broadway’s Justin David Sullivan on singing Max Martin hits, fashion inspiration, & living out & proud
our warrior
Nadine Smith is leading the fight against Ron DeSantis’ anti-LGBTQ+ hate
loud and proud
We can’t get enough of Drew Tarver, bisexual king and star of ‘The Other Two’
trailblazer
Alex Mohajer could be the first openly gay Iranian man elected in the world
film phenom
D.Smith is using her talents to amplify voices that need to be heard
voice of a generation
Alice Oseman is helping author a brighter future for LGBTQ+ youth
the meet-and-greet
G-O-D-D-E-S-S: The collected wisdom of mother Sasha Colby
shining bright
Zach Willmore’s journey with HIV inspires us all to live fearlessly
shakespeare 2.0
Playwright James Ijames makes Black queer folks feel seen with his artistry
thought leader
Author and advocate Raquel Willis is blazing a path for the LGBTQ+ community by telling her story
documentary diva
With ‘Holding Moses’, Rivkah Beth Medow is bringing queer and disabled cinema forward
pace yourself
Lee Pace is the Renaissance daddy that we all want & need
look over here!
Jaida Essence Hall is getting the victory lap she deserves
the resort king
With ‘The White Lotus,’ Mike White helped turn prestige TV into the ultimate queer destination
renaissance man
Thaddeus Coates is doing it all, in style
tech innovator
Sam Altman is leading us into the future with OpenAI
broadway royalty
From the wizard to Tony-winning Greek deity, André De Shields has delivered for decades
divinely queer
Lindsey Jaymes Spero made headlines with a well-timed shot of testosterone
balanced life
Celebrity chef Ronnie Woo shows us self-indulgence and beauty go hand-in-hand
top of the class
Rep. Robert Garcia is challenging MAGA extremists with intellect, passion and sass
stage presence
Ryan J. Haddad is making theater more gay and disabled, and we love him for it
fighting spirit
A year after bravely sharing his story with the world, Colton Haynes stands prouder than ever
wild child
Step aside, mother. Claudia Conway proves that sometimes, daughter knows best
smells like teen spirit
For over 30 years, Gregg Araki’s been making cinema a queerer, sexier place
photography phenom
At the center of Patric McCoy’s lens are Black gay men and the stories they tell
the good doctor
Dr. Carlton Thomas is taking his gay health advocacy to the places it’s most needed
daddy cool
Tuc Watkins is living his best life and wants to inspire others to do the same
center stage
Christian Chávez is going back on tour with RBD, and this time he’s bringing his full self
a lane all his own
Beyond ‘The Birdcage’: Looking back at Nathan Lane’s greatest, gayest moments
icons
Brittney & Cherelle Griner are the inspiring team America needs right now
butch realness
Roberta Colindrez is a queer butch Latina in a league of her own
hearts on fire
Dickie Hearts is paving the way for a rainbow of Deaf stories
effortlessly cool
Jasmin Savoy Brown is the queer scream queen we’ve been waiting for & we can’t get enough
natural leader
Rep. Ritchie Torres is taking down George Santos and making integrity a House priority
cheers!
Just like the drink, ‘Drag Race’ alum Rosé’s outlook on drag is equally refreshing
teen titan
‘The Last of Us’ is only the beginning for rising star Bella Ramsey
ballet baddie
Harper Watters slays ballet choreography and serves looks in heels as high as his aspirations
rise up
Cat Runner reached new heights for trans athletes on HBO series ‘The Climb’
a real character
Molly Kearney’s 5 best sketches from their first season of ‘Saturday Night Live’
truth teller
Tig Notaro’s unfiltered and straightforward humor is nothing short of queer brilliance
no more hyde-ing
‘Wednesday’ turned Hunter Doohan into everyone’s new crush and a role model for the community
relatable hero
Justice Horn is leading the LGBTQ community with grace, grit & Grindr
seconds, please