100 Women We Love 2011
It’s been a whirlwind year for Chely Wright. The award-winning country artist and songwriter stunned the conservative country music world by coming out in 2010, a difficult and life-changing decision she detailed in her 2011 autobiography, Like Me. She also released her critically-acclaimed seventh album, Lifted Off the Ground, a tour-de-force more than five emotionally-grueling years in the making. The documentary film, Wish Me Away, chronicles her journey from preparation to aftermath of her decision to come out to Nashville, her hometown, and within the LGBT community, will make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival this summer. Her soul-searching, however, has been worth it: The newly-minted LGBT role model serves as the national spokesperson for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and speaks out against school bullying. Wright believes “that to whom much is given, much is required. I have lived a very blessed life and I know what it feels like to achieve goals. I want to do my part in helping others have as many opportunities to have milestones in their lives too.” –KL
The 100 Women We Love – out artists, elected officials, business leaders, athletes, community activists – are role models for us all. Many are up-and-coming movers and shakers; some are at the zenith of their careers. Some of their achievements change our world and, just as importantly, others improve the world’s perception of out women. They all strive tirelessly to increase our visibility and continue our incredible progress toward equality and justice.
We proudly present the class of 2011, in random order, so each gets her well-deserved turn in the spotlight.
KRIS PERRY & SANDY STIER
Kris Perry (left) and Sandy Stier are co-plaintiffs in Perry v. Brown, the landmark case brought by the American Foundation for Equal Rights challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. Perry is the executive director of First 5 California, a state agency promoting education and health for children. Stier is the information technology director for the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Agency. Together for over 10 years and parents of four sons, Perry and Stier first married in 2004 when San Francisco began issuing licenses, only to have their marriage status revoked shortly thereafter. “Like so many others we felt numb from that loss,” they say. “Our love and commitment never changed…but we were painfully aware of the reality that we didn’t have the same protections or privileges as our (straight) married friends and relatives.” The couple began their legal battle against Prop 8 in May 2009, feeling a responsibility to take the issue of marriage rights to the courts, where constitutional rights would be addressed. On August 4, 2010, the U.S. District Court ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional. The case is currently under appeal. –SLO
