The Independent reveals its 2026 Pride List, the annual celebration of 50 LGBTQ+ changemakers
The list reinforces The Independent’s longstanding commitment to recognising those who are simultaneously making a positive difference to the LGBTQ+ community and achieving extraordinary things within their fields.
The Independent will be running an exclusive video series featuring listees on-site and across social channels throughout Pride Month.
First published in 2000 as the Pink List, it then became the Rainbow List. This year marks the fourth iteration of the Pride List, a powerful example of The Independent’s commitment to championing diversity and equality in all its work.
This year’s list features a diverse array of influential and inspiring individuals from across the fields of entertainment, sport, business, law, fashion, politics, campaigning and the arts.
This year’s top 10:
- Alan Carr – comedian, TV presenter and author
- Meg Jones – women’s rugby World Cup winner, MBE and Olympian
- Stephanie Lynette – Trans+ rights advocate and healthcare worker
- Bimini – Drag queen, author and artist
- Zack Polanski – leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
- Leah Williamson – footballer and Captain of Arsenal and England Women’s team
- Phyll Opoku-Gyimah (Lady Phyll) – LGBTQ+ rights and anti-racism campaigner, co-founder of UK Black Pride
- Ted Brown – gay rights activist, co-founded Black Lesbians and Gays Against Media Homophobia
- La Voix – drag entertainer, UK’s first Eurovision spokesqueen
- Olivia Campbell-Cavendish – lawyer, first Black trans lawyer and founder of Trans Legal Clinic
The full list can be found here.
Accompanying the list, there will be special editorial features published throughout June to mark Pride Month. Articles include an interview with football player Natalie Washington, who campaigns to make the sport a better place for transgender people, and the story behind the launch of one of the UK’s newest Pride events.
For the second year running, the Pride List will be officially launched at a special event hosted at Queer Britain on 3 June, bringing together honourees, industry leaders and community voices. The evening will include talks, drinks and a private view of Queer Britain exhibitions. Queer Britain Museum is the UK’s only LGBTQ+ museum.
The Independent is an official media partner of Pride in London for the fifth year running. This relationship encompasses several commercial, editorial and marketing initiatives during Pride Month and beyond, and builds on The Independent’s long history of LGBTQ+ campaigning and reporting. The Independent’s team will march at the Pride in London parade on 4 July, coming together in celebration and protest.
Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief, The Independent remarks: “I am immensely proud of The Independent’s work in championing LGBTQ+ voices – not just during Pride, but through a year-round commitment to visibility, equality and fairness. We will continue collaborating with brilliant people and partners from this community to ensure that their successes are celebrated and struggles are never ignored. The Independent has always stood for positive change for LGBTQ+ communities, and it always will.”
Sian Elvin, news editor for The Independent, comments: “We are delighted to present our list of LGBTQ+ changemakers for 2026, which is always carefully considered by our panel. The Pride List balances celebrating achievements with recognising advocacy and highlights just some of the incredible figures in the community in a year where visibility for queer people is more important than ever.”
