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.
MAE MARTIN
A working comedienne since the tender age of 13, Mae Martin has become well established in the Canadian comedy scene and is now expanding her audience across the pond in the U.K. Her unique brand of humor combines stand-up with songs reflecting her adventures in androgyny and neurotic visions of the apocalypse. She has been nominated for two Canadian Comedy Awards and the UK Musical Comedy Awards, and was the youngest-ever nominee for the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award. Her work has been featured on the Comedy Network, CBC radio and TVO. This year Martin has appeared in Global Television’s Global Comedians and on Much Music’s Video On Trial, and is taking her one-woman show Mae Day: I’m Not Waving, I’m Drowning to the Toronto Pride Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. “I would love to be a voice for young lesbians (and for my fellow Bieber look-a-likes),” says Martin, “and to show people that comedy is universal—you don’t have to be gay to think a gay comic is funny. We live in exciting times!” –DP
