This year's most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people honored at Out100 event
LOS ANGELES -- The stars are always out in Hollywood, but the Out100 event in Hollywood was for those who are out.
Out Magazine and Out.com honored 100 of this year's most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people - those who are making a difference.
Though much of the anticipation was around one person.
"I mean, I love Brandi Carlile," stated Daniel Reynolds, Editor-In-Chief of Out Magazine.
Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman, owners of Hollywood lesbian bar The Ruby Fruit and Out100 Honorees agreed.
"I want to meet Brandi Carlile!" exclaimed Bielagus. "I'm not gonna keep my cool at all." "We've been talking about this for days," added Herbkersman.
Nine-time Grammy award winning artist Brandi Carlile was named Icon of the Year, for how she has used her voice.
"It's hard for me to accept that, but I get it in terms of how I view other people. I know how much I needed my icons, and the fact that I'm maybe one to somebody or a collective is really wild," stated Carlile.
Oscar-winning Jamie Lee Curtis earned Advocate of the Year. She used her voice to highlight the courage required to live truthfully.
"Like my beautiful daughter Ruby, said Curtis from the stage, referencing her trans daughter. "I honor her courage, I honor your courage."
The honorees were divided up into six categories: artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators and storytellers.
In the groundbreakers category: Chad Matthews, President of ABC Owned Television Stations. Often a witness to history, he is now part of it.
"I'm incredibly honored and excited to be part of this incredible list, the Out100, with these amazing, amazing people who have done impactful things for our community," stated Matthews.
Other honorees from our ABC and Disney family, include GMA's Robin Roberts and Gio Benitez and Ray Warren, the Director of Multicultural and Inclusive Solutions for Disney's advertising team.
Honorees were nominated by their community, and mostly for doing the everyday, meaningful work.
This year, in collaboration with our ABC Owned Television Stations, the editors introduced the Out100 America.
This segment highlights eight notable individuals who have significantly promoted LGBTQ+ rights, advocacy, and representation within their local communities.
Leslie 'RevJax' Jackson, a Houston Pastor and Out100 Honoree said, "You know, for so many years I wanted to go back to church and be part of a church. I didn't know where to go. So the work I do now is creating a space for those who want to return to church and still believe in Jesus Christ and be part of a community, to be able to do that."
It was part celebration, part call to action, and as Matthews added, "Most of all I hope nights like tonight help us make a big difference."
You can watch a special presentation of "The 2023 Out100" on ABC Owned Television Stations:
New York: ABC/WABC, Saturday, December 23, 5 a.m. ET
Los Angeles: ABC7/KABC, Saturday, December 23, 10 p.m. PT
Chicago: ABC7/WLS, Saturday, December 9, 11 p.m. CT
Philadelphia: 6abc/WPVI, Sunday, December 10, 12:30 a.m. ET
Houston: ABC13/KTRK, Sunday, December 10, 12:05 a.m. CT
San Francisco: ABC7/KGO, Saturday, December 16, 8:30 p.m. PT
Raleigh Durham: ABC11/WTVD, Sunday, December 10, 12 a.m. ET
Fresno: ABC30/KFSN, Saturday, December 30, 9 p.m. PT
