In 2024, we sought out 100 LGBTQIA+ individuals and organisations inspiring our community. No ranking, just pure celebration! This list is a testament to the incredible talent and resilience within our community. Prepare to be amazed as we honour these remarkable people.

Aisha Akram (She/her)

Spoken word artist from Manchester, touching on a lot of taboo topics, particularly the difficulties of existing within the intersection of queerness and Islam and the issues she faces with her mental health.

Amee wilson (She/her)

By day, Amee works as an Art Director in advertising with a passion for ideas that tackle inequality. By night, she illustrates and animates the Queer Chameleon and Anxious Animals series. Queer Chameleon and Friends is her first publication.

arlo west (they/them)

Founder of Trans Pride Manchester & Splodge Creative, Graphic Designer , Content Creator , Trans & Non Binary EDI Consultant & Speaker and D&AD New Blood Award Winner.

Asad zafar (any pronouns)

A queer non-binary Pakistani living in London. Their existence is activism and identity is political. Asad works for The Love Tank CIC an organisation promoting the health and wellbeing needs & addressing health inequity /inequality amongst under served communities in London.

az franco (he/him)

Multidisciplinary artist, writer and singer-songwriter working to break down the binary and help to create an inclusive future for all people.

barbara banda (she/her)

BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year and founder of the Barbra Banda Foundation in 2021, which aims to alleviate poverty, promote equality and help raise awareness of issues affecting girls and women.

Bea sweet (she/her)

London based Make-up Artist with a passion for fashion and beauty. ‘Make-up is an exercise in trust. It’s an honour to be trusted with another humans image, it’s a privilege to be trusted with their face. Beauty to me is in the diversity of the human image.’

beaujangless (she/her)

Known as “The Puerto Rican Princess,” is a prominent drag artist and model based in New York City.

Belén Mar Leroux (she/her)

A professional movement artist based in London, where her work takes her all over the world. ‘Dance makes me feel free. I can discover infinitely, learn about myself, others and the world. I can expand and connect with others. I can be honest; I can just be. I feel my queerness is definitely a part of that. Sometimes a very big part of that’.

ben pechey (they/them)

Non-binary author, presenter, DEI consultant, and LGBT+ educator.

beth ditto (she/her)

“We were radical feminist queers,” Ditto says of Gossip’s beginnings”. Ditto embraced her body on-stage and off, years before the phrase “body positivity”, there was Ditto, dancing on stage in a bustier, posing naked on a 2007 NME cover . Returning to the stage, she remains outspoken, anti-conformist, charming the media while challenging their attitudes to femininity and sexuality.

bolly illusion (he/they/she)

As seen in Netflix’s “Unicorns”, Marvel’s “Eternals”, other accomplishments include being featured in Vogue Italia, I-Weigh and Gay Times. They have also performed at museums such as The V&A, The Design Museum and The Tate.

caz simone (they/them)

An openly queer proud person of colour, content creator and footballer from Manchester! I use my platform as a way to educate, share my experiences and hopefully be the representation that I wished I had seen as a kid. If I can make a small difference to even one person, that's the main thing.

ceyenne doroshow (she/her)

Author, activist, and the founder and executive director of G.L.I.T.S., an organisation dedicated to creating sustainable housing and healthcare for Black transgender people. Doroshow was described in GQ as "A Godmother of the Black Trans Lives Matter Movement."

charlie (he/him) & Miguel (he/him)

Hosts of “Slay the Day” on Hoxton Radio! Charlie B & Miguel put a spotlight on queer & emerging artists each week on their LGBTQI+ positive show as well as telling you the latest events happening in the area & providing you with your playlist for the week! and hopefully be the representation that I wished I had seen as a kid. If I can make a small difference to even one person, that's the main thing.

charlie craggs (she/her)

Described as both "the voice of a community" by Vogue and "the Grinch of the trans community" by the Daily Mail.

chay brown (he/him)

Co-founded TransActual in 2017 and is currently Director of Operations and Director for Healthcare. A former teacher, Chay now spends his time working towards a world where all trans people can live safely, with dignity and with appropriate access to healthcare.

chloe dall'olio (she/her)

Multimedia artist, LGBTQIA+ advocate, and creator of ‘The Body Talks’, amplifying radical self-love, community connection and expression through art, movement and inclusive storytelling.

clayton wright (he/him)

Founder of beloved late-night cultural phenomenons; Little Gay Brother, Body Movements Festival, False Idols at Drumsheds, Feel It and many more. He has raised over 60k+ for queer charities, and continues to make nightlife spaces safer for queer people and championing emerging talent.

controlling chemsex

CONTROLLING CHEMSEX is the only national charity specialised in chemsex, created and run by chemsex specialist advisors (the majority of whom struggled with chemsex problems in the past themselves) to help anyone affected directly or indirectly by the impact of this reality.

Dahc Dermur viii (he/she/they)

American-born DJ, performance artist, and “mother goth” has become a figurehead of London’s underground scene. Cloaked in swirling, hand-painted body art and facial armour, Dermur’s aesthetic signatures follow a monochromatic code.

danielle st. james (she/her)

Chief Executive of leading UK charity Not A Phase and Founder of trans+ underwear and swimwear brand ZOAH.

Deeva d (he/him)

Burlesque/Bearlesque performer, host and Communications professional. Deeva entertains the masses internationally and leverages his professional network to advocate for equity and visibility for underrepresented people and communities.

dj hannah holland (she/her)

A prominent figure in London’s queer scene for almost two decades. Outside of clubland she works on theatre, installation and film music, as well as playing bass for the band Black Gold Buffalo.

dj paulette (she/her)

From the Hacienda to Homoelectric, Paulette's career spans three decades and three countries. She has entertained on the international stage, been resident at some of the biggest clubs in the world and has also appeared alongside many prestigious DJs.

don one (they/them)

Don One is one of the UK’s funniest and most entertaining drag kings. They are a multi talented performer - singer, rapper, actor, host and stand-up comedian.

dr. paul taylor-pitt (he/him)

Author of “Still Here! Still Queer! Now What?, the first self-help book for middle-aged LGBTQ+ folk, coming October 2025.

dr. ronx (they/them)

Dr Ronx is an award winning trans non-binary emergency medicine doctor by profession. BBC’s Ouch TV presenter and author of Amazing Bodies, an exploration of the human body through their jaw-dropping new illustrated non-fiction book.They describe themself as a queer, black, intersectional feminist.

dr. seema yasmin (she/her)

A polymath. She trained in medicine at the University of Cambridge and in journalism at the University of Toronto. She splits her time between London, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Seema is the author of 8 books, including her debut novel Unbecoming, which she is adapting into a film.

dustin reid (he/him)

Senior Creative Producer & Executive Director at the Red Hot Organisation, promoting diversity through advocating for equal access to care. Also, conceiving Transa project, wrote the narrative framework, & produced the album alongside Massima Bell & Red Hot founder John Carlin.

eduardo peres (he/they)

A Brazilian queer sexual health and HIV doctor, sexologist and queer activist. I am the current chair for the Racially minoritised communities Special Interest Group for the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, and I am also a Non-Exec Director for The LoveTank CIC.

ellen jones (she/her)

Ellen Jones is an award-winning strategist, speaker, campaigner & author. Her book Outrage: Why the Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality Is Not Yet Won and What We Can Do About It is published January 2025.

emmanuel akwafo (he/him)

Emmanuel Akwafo is an Olivier nominated actor who most recently wrote and directed Limp Wrist and the Iron Fist: A vibrant celebration of Black, queer identities, exploring themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery.

erin holly (she/her)

Erin Holly is a transgender British artist whose body of work addresses various themes such as the politics of space and architecture's crucial role in inclusivity and accessibility, embodiment and trans identity.

ethel cain (she/her)

Hayden Silas Anhedönia, known professionally as Ethel Cain, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and model. Mixing hazy ambience, gothic country, doom metal, and post-rock Preacher’s Daughter made this Baptist-raised trans woman an unlikely mainstream star.

Ezra (he/him) & Elle (they/She)

Elle is a non-binary actor/singer/content creator based in Los Angeles committed to creating entertaining, educational and queer-affirming content. Ezra is a Los Angeles based multidisciplinary artist and founder of the PUSSYBOY brand.

fipsi seilern (she/her)

Visual Artist "Painting is revered. Graffiti is not. Why is painting at the top of the “art food chain”, when graffiti is as old as mankind? What makes an artist? The graffiti inside a club toilet might have a million private viewers over the years, whereas the art inside a gallery or museum is only accessible for a finite period of time, and for a price."

homoparody (they/them)

An LGBTQ+ collective who provide entertainment at Prides, events and charity fundraisers. Alongside this they recreate music videos, produce full scale cabaret productions, organise socials and provide weekly all abilities dance classes for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

Hope Tala (she/her)

British singer-songwriter. Her musical style has been described as pulling from R&B, Latin, neo soul, and bossa nova. Tala is working on her first album, Hope Handwritten.

hungry (she/her)

Leather cut-outs, silicone pieces and wildly eclectic face painting are just a few of the techniques the self-titled “distorted drag queen” lives by. She pushes the limits of what’s expected by reshaping her eyes, cheekbones, and mouth into new forms inspired by animals and nature.

jacob stokoe (they/them)

Papa, birthing parent, educator and writer. Founded Transparent Change after he experienced maternity services as a pregnant trans person.

jaguar (she/her)

Broadcaster, DJ and journalist, known mononymously as Jaguar, is among the new guard of multi-hyphenate talents steering UK dance music towards brighter waters. She’s a next-gen tastemaker instigating change through projects such as UTOPIA and The Jaguar Foundation.

team voda

Jaron (He/Him), Chris (They/Them) and Kris (He/Him).

The Voda team is dedicated to transforming mental health support for the LGBTQIA+ community with affirming, evidence-based mental health support through their app, co-designed with LGBTQIA+ psychotherapists.

Jessica Kellgren-Fozard (she/her)

LGBTQ+ Content creator and educator, YouTuber and Deaf & Disabled Activist producing timeless videos that are both entertaining and informative in elegant and classic looks.

Jessica lauren (she/her)

Musician, producer, composer, painter in sound, photographer, sea swimmer, trans auntie.

Joelle taylor (she/her)

Award winning Poet and playwright ~In spite of my appearance, I have never identified as a man. I identify as freedom. I identify as resistance. For me, being butch is a part of the female experience – my masculinity is feminine. My clothing, my corporeality, is a way of pushing against gender stereotypes.

John foley (he/they)

John Foley is still alive and working.

Joseph wilson (he/him)

From queer drag performer, to visual artist and film director, Wilson’s is building a body of work has real substance, having carved out a space as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary filmmaking. Wilson’s work is characterized by its daring exploration of LGBTQ+ themes and layered narratives

Juliana huxtable (she/her)

American artist, writer, performer, DJ, and co-founder of the New York–based nightlife project Shock Value. Her multidisciplinary art practice explores a number of projects, such as the internet, the body, history, and text, often through a process she calls "conditioning."

Kareem Khubchandani (Any pronouns)

Author of Decolonize Drag and of Ishtyle: Accenting Gay Indian Nightlife and also performs as your favourite Aunty’s favourite Aunty, LaWhore Vagistan.

Kathleen charters

HIV activist and advocate working at local national and globally in her role as case worker and HIV Prevention Lead, woman living with HIV, and policy influencer.

khaleb luan brooks (he/they)

Interdisciplinary artist, researcher and writer exploring blackness, transness and collective memory. Recent work, a slavery memorial in London’s Docklands The Wake, a seven-metre tall sculpture in the shape of a bronze cowrie shell that includes the names of enslaved people inside and a wind-chime soundscape, is expected to be installed in 2026.

ki griffin (he/they)

An LGBTQIA+ actor, facilitator and advocate for the many communities he’s a part of, telling the stories that are usually dismissed.

king molasses (they/them)

LGBTQ+ Black Americans pioneered drag as a source of freedom.That freedom is part of the legacy of ballroom culture. For King Molasses, discovering drag was a crucial part of feeling free. They bring traditional Nigerian clothes, ’80s style double-breasted suit jackets, cowboy hats and denim thongs to LGBTQ+ events across Washington, D.C.

lady phyll (she/her)

Founder and CEO of UK Black Pride, public figure & speaker on race, gender, sexuality, class and human rights all through an intersectional lens.

lisa gunning (she/her)

Former Film Editor turned Director. Directed episodes for Amazon thriller 'The Power' and most recently a six part spy thriller for Netflix/Sister 'Black Doves'.

lizzie jordan (she/her)

Co-founder of Anne Health, Founder of Think2Speak and Chief Elf at Trans Secret Santa UK.

logan brown (he/him)

A transgender man sharing educational content on parenthood and neurodiverse life. Owner of Crap Printz and Author of ‘In My Daddy’s Belly’.

luke christian (he/him)

A deaf, gay entrepreneur with a clothing brand (Deaf Identity) that aims to raise deaf awareness through clothing and accessories and to break down stigmas and barriers surrounding the deaf community.

Max Allen & Elliot Adcock (he/him)

An ascending star, Allen has worked with an intimidating roster of tastemakers and cultural heavyweights. From decorating Dalston’s hottest new queer bar, the Divine, producing bold and brilliant costumes for Shakespeare’s Globe or dressing sundry London It-girls (Emma Corrin wore a bespoke design he co-created for their Vogue España cover in 2023) to recently, in 2023, he co-founded a design studio with Elliot Adcock, taking his glittering vision to new audiences.

meg talks (she/her)

Founder & Host of the Meg Talks Podcast. Explores & amplifies Black British Queer contemporary culture through interview-based storytelling.

michelle manetti (she/they)

Mother of Fèmmme Fraîche, Michelle dedicates her time to fostering FLINTA focused minorities in the queer scene, whilst creating safer, diverse & intentional spaces. As well as a promoter, she is also a well-respected DJ & producer, a celebrated stalwart of East Londons Queer scene.

milly aburrow (she/her)

Aburrow's artistic journey is deeply personal and intertwined with her experiences growing up with left-side cerebral palsy. Her degree show piece, Fill Me In, is a clear manifestation of her evolving artistic identity. The installation, which featured faux food items, explored how personal choices around food express individuality.

mister samo (he/they)

Trans street artist and heart lead human.

moud goba (she/her)

National Director at Micro Rainbow, leading programmes supporting LGBTQI migrants. Chair of UK Black Pride. Recognised as one the BBC’s 100 Women in 2022 and has been honoured with a Kaleidoscope Trust Lifetime Achievement Award, a Diva Magazine Inspirational Role Model Award and the 2023 BET Global Good Award.

nadia whittome (she/her)

In 2019, Nadia became the UK’s youngest MP at the age of 23 and the first out LGBT+ person of colour to be elected to the UK Parliament. She fiercely advocates for LGBTQ+ rights.

neil hudson-basing (he/him)

A highly experienced events & project manager, emcee, facilitator & public speaker and DEI professional. He’s the host & producer of podcast ‘Pause. And Rewind…’ and co-founder of The House of Happiness, a London-based queer-led & delivered sober clubbing day rave.

otamere guobadia (he/him)

Writer, poet, and columnist whose work focuses on desire, art, adornment, queerness, and agency, within culture high, low, and popular. Appearing in British Vogue, i-D, Dazed, GQ, The Guardian, Vogue Italia, among other publications. His first book, Unutterable Visions, Perishable Breath, was released on January 4, 2024.

polari labs

Anna Vybornova (She/Her) and Dr. Henry Blest (He/Him)

We believe sexual health and wellness market should cater for everyone and that the next sexual revolution will be in anorectal health. Our team develops category-defining products to make the preparation for anorectal intercourse straightforward and sex spontaneous.

pride and progress

A podcast, platform, and community group led by Jo Brassington (They/Them) and Dr. Adam Brett (He/Him) amplifying the voices of LGBT+ educators and explore ways to collectively reimagine our educational spaces as more LGBT+ inclusive.

prinx chiyo (he/they)

The UK’s Drag Prinx of Provocation

Queerasf*ck

A monthly safe space produced by Ellen (She/Her) and Beth (She/Her) for the LGBTQ+ community dedicated to queer identifying acts from grassroots to established artists.

rainbow noir mcr

Founded by 4 black queer women who were inspired to create a space in the city led by and for our community. Committed to creating a space of our own, places to feel safe, where LGBTQI people of colour can meet, hang out, form friendships and find community.

renu hossain

Renu Hossain, AKA RENU is a Percussionist, Composer, Producer & Curator. RENUs work has been lionised by BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 3, The Quietus, Art Forum Magazine, Electronica Sound Magazine & Cannes.

richard energy (he/they)

Drag King of comedy. Queer as in FREE PALESTINE.

rico jacob chace (he/him)

roman manfredi

Roman Manfredi uses film photography to amplify underrepresented voices and capture authentic community stories. Featured in The Independent, Dazed, Vice,The Guardian and many more publications.

romy (she/her)

I’ve drawn so much inspiration from people I look up to who made the dance scene as diverse and free as it is now, making it possible for me to create Mid Air and the world around it. I hope that putting my storyline into electronic music and telling lesbian love stories makes queerness feel a bit more represented and visible.

ruti (they/she)

Singer/songwriter from Essex who’s music combines ethereal dulcet vocals with influences from jazz folk and soul

sadie sinner (she/they)

Creator of spaces ‘where the melenated are celebrated’: The Cocoa Butter Club & The Black Burlesque School.

scottee (he/him)

Self taught actor who has received critical acclaim for his work in theatre and audio. Scottee’s five part audio series Self Help exploring mental health came out this year to rave reviews. He wrote and directed Fat Blokes and Host of After The Tone podcast.

shardeazy afrodesiak (they/them)

Shardeazy is a Gender-Bending Drag King - this thought-provoking drag artist uses their platform to express and deconstruct topics of race, gender and sexuality through music, dance and fierce af lipsyncing.

shiv (they/them)

A Shiv of all trades; sometimes seen battling bigotry on the tele, sometimes seen (shirtless) and marching through the streets demanding better for our community in the U.K. and around the world.

spencer (he/him)

Spencer, aka Trans Dad, is a trans man,content creator, activist and personal coach.

sk smigiel (she/they)

Nonbinary & intersex educator, creator and consultant.

stephen hart (he/him)

Stephen is an actor, writer and YouTuber who fell into being an HIV activist by accident after writing and starring in his one man show Shadowed Dreamer, which ran in New York for 9 months, closing off Broadway in 2010. 2024 saw Hart return to the stage with Shadowed Dreamer and rave reviews.

steve keith (he/him)

Steve is the Founder and Event Director of The Queer Student Awards - the U.K.’s first annual celebration of LGBTQ+ students and early career professionals who are proudly leading in their lives and the communities around them - and most recently, National Queer Students Day.

taj donville-outerbridge (they/them)

A proud black, non-binary activist who advocates for LGBTQ+, especially QTIPOC, youth in spaces across the globe. From being a board member of OUTBermuda and IGLYO, the WHO Youth Council, Bermuda’s National Youth Advisory Board among many others.

The masons

Maruska (She/Her) and Donna-Marie Mason (She/Her) are photography and directing duo. Partners in life and creativity.Global souls. “I love to create images of love – the love of skin, the love of women, the love of men, the love of relationships between human beings. Showcasing Black skin, the beauty, the richness, the details.”

tiara skye (she/her)

Stage performer and internet sensation from South Africa living in London. Performed on stages including ArtsCape Theatre in Cape Town “AbFab Drag show”, and also been part of a local documentary for SABC, as well as a guest on numerous radio stations in Cape Town and Cape Town TV.

toya delazy (She/they)

Founder of Afrorave an alternative indigenous genre that meld Toyas mother tongue Zulu with contemporary genres like left field bass ,techno, jungle, dnb, gqom - In 2024 Toya performed at Glastonbury , boomtown mighty hoopla , and a rave at the Tate!

trans creative uk

To be trans and have a voice is both rare and vital. Over the last three years we have created important platforms to have these voices heard, from nationwide tours of mind-expanding theatre, to young trans people and artists taking over institutions, to headline-grabbing activism.

tumininu fani-kayode (any pronouns)

A very queer person from Nigeria (dyke may be the most fitting). An actress, model & writer currently focusing on queer black visibility projects & an aspiring queer long-form content creator and curator.

uk black pride

The world’s largest free pride event for LGBTQIA+ Black and POC. Celebrating diverse sexualities, gender identities, cultures, gender expressions and backgrounds. We foster represent and celebrate LGBTQI+ Black and POC culture through education, the arts, cultural events and advocacy.

vic lentaigne (she/they)

A director & photographer whose work centres around connectivity, intimacy and emotion. Their work revolves around storytelling from within the LGBTQIA+ community & aims to highlight the imbalances that minority groups face.

wet mess (They/them)

Drag and movement direction. ‘I exist outside of gender. I completely fell in love with the art form. It felt like everything clicked into place; a beautiful synergy of things I wanted to do: painting my face, creating movement, lip-syncing and exploring gender. I love its silliness, big aesthetics and politics.’

winn austin (she/her)

London-based transgender model and LGBTIQA+ activist. I have always had my own sense of style and know what suits me. I know what periods of fashion I like. I have never wanted to be current. I like bringing modernity to something from the past. No one wore floor-length evening dresses in the 1990s but me”

yshee black (she/her)

Yshee Black (pronounced whySHEE BLACK) is known for curating lipsync competitions, hosting, performing and being an all round icon.

zach toppin (he/they)

Barber, model, musician Toppin is a multidisciplinary artist . Toppin's work is rich in narrative, symbolism and cultural reference, weaving together important stories about gender, sex, love and emotion. Working across painting, drawing and sculpture they archive and reimagine queer histories, in order to construct new pathways of understanding for the present.

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