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.
SYD LONDON
Brooklyn-based photographer and photojournalist Syd London is a fixture on the city’s queer culture scene. Her work often depicts those who are ignored, misunderstood or shunned by mainstream society. London contributes regularly to publications like Time Out New York and the Village Voice, and to gallery shows, such as Judged For Sex in 2009. Her solo show The Invisible Project is currently traveling the country. “All I want is to show the shared underlying humanity in us all,” she says. “Despite many cultural, religious and language differences, we are all ultimately chasing after many of the same things: to live in safety, to have our basic needs met, to love in freedom and to live a life with meaning.” London was recently accepted into this summer’s mainstream group exhibition NYC In FOCUS, vol. 2, alongside other internationally renowned as well as emerging New York-based photographers, with subjects focusing on different aspects of iconic imagery from NYC. –CM
