This year's Rainbow List sees celebrities such as Sam Smith, Sue Perkins and Tom Daley ranking highly as some of the country's most inspirational LGBTs and 'straight allies'.
The Independent's prolific list was compiled using a list of nominations submitted by the public, which this year amounted to over 4,000. A panel of six judges then used the suggestions to formulate the top 101.
The Labour Party's special envoy on LGBT issues, Michael Cashman, is a new entry on the list - and debuts straight in at No1. He finishes ahead of journalist and campaigner Paris Lees at No2, musician and commentator Vicky Beeching at No3, Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson at No4 and BBC Newsnight presenter Evan Davies at No5.
Sue Perkins (WENN)
Elsewhere in the Top 10, Great British Bake-Off host Perkins ranks sixth, Smith debuts at No7, Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt charts at No8, leading footballer Casey Stoney comes in ninth and Suran Dickson, CEO of Diversity Role Models, rises up the ranks to round off the Top 10.
Further down, social commentator Owen Jones is at No12, Daley enters at No15, Sherlock actor Andrew Scott arrives at No22, actor and writer Mark Gatiss is at No40 and Radio 1 host Nick Grimshaw is at No88, down from No18. Singer Lucy Spraggan sneaks in at No97.
Tom Daley (Photo: WENN)
Cashman tweeted yesterday: "#rainbowlist2014 congrats to all on the list & our families & friends who support us & give us courage.To those not on the list? You are. X”
He added: "How can words convey my appreciation for the love,support & positivity I've received here?Disregard cynicism, the world´s better without it. There are good people. And there are good intentions. And yes, in politics. It's just that it terrifies and challenges mediocrity."
