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.
ALISON GERIG
For Alison Gerig, queer health and justice are inextricably linked. She was turned on to the connection during graduate school at Columbia University and her concurrent work with homeless LGBT youth at New York’s Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. Her experience influenced her later position as the health director of Philadelphia’s LGBT health center. In 2005, she began her own practice as a therapist, but continues to advance the cause of queer health justice by leading training sessions for other therapists about working with gender-non-conforming clients, as well as directing a feminist mental health non-profit for low-income self-identified women in Philadelphia. Each of her endeavors stems from a single goal: “I hope to offer LGBT communities a window into wholeness, where justice meets the self and leads to healing, action and transformation,” she says. Recently, Gerig decided to take action in a different way and is expecting a baby in October. “I watch clients take leaps of faith all the time. It was my turn to try.” –SJ
