From today’s Independent on Sunday:
“When the first Pink List was published in 2000, it was essentially a list of 50 influential people who were brave enough to be “out”. This year we received more than 1,300 nominations and had to reduce thousands of potential contenders to just 101. The judges decided that a Pink List contender can no longer simply be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and famous. They need to make a difference. This year, some Pink List regulars have graduated into a “we’ll always love you” list of their own, and we’ve given politicos their own space, too. That leaves room for more new faces, more change and more debate. This has been the year of equal marriage, but also the year when trans people finally began to glimpse the sort of respect and equality that gay people can, at last, expect.”
And then…..
19. (new entry) Jack Monroe @msjackmonroe
Food Blogger, Campaigner
The food blogger caught attention with her “austerity” recipes, which feed her family for £10 a week. Now she writes weekly recipe columns for The Guardian, talks at party conferences, and campaigns for charities. She also has a book on the way. She lives with her partner and son.
I can’t really say much to this – I read the Pink List in secret as a teenager, Proud with a capital P that there were ‘out’ gay famous people making a difference in the world, and certainly mine as I wrestled with my identity in my formative years. It goes without saying that I never imagined for one gosh darn minute that I would see my name on that list!
So to whoever nominated and voted for me, Thankyou. I’m stunned and humbled and honoured, all at once.
For the full Pink List 2013, click here.
Jack Monroe. Twitter: @MsJackMonroe. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/agirlcalledjack