100 Women We Love

100 Women We Love: Class of 2009

Once again, we celebrate our favorite out and proud women. As difficult as it is to narrow it down to just 100, this year’s eclectic list includes artists, athletes, club promoters, community organizers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, politicians and plaintiffs, who are making a difference in our world and the world at large.

Ellen DeGeneres

Emmy Award-winning actress, comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres is perhaps the world’s most inspirational and influential lesbian. Her 1997 coming out, both in her
personal life and as her character on the show Ellen, marked the beginning of a new era of
visibility for queer women. Her wildly popular talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, provides a forum through which she fosters much-needed understanding and support for queer issues from Americans across the country. She spoke out against Proposition 8, and made headlines when she married her girlfriend, actress Portia DeRossi, in a highly publicized August ceremony. Pictures and videos from the fairytale wedding and the couple’s openness about their love brought tears to all eyes, straight, queer or
otherwise. -CM

Remember, these are in no particular order because we love them all!

What Do You Think?