Billy Porter, Dan Levy and more named most powerful LGBTQ players by 'Hollywood Reporter’

Pride parades may look a little different this summer as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. But that isn’t stopping people from celebrating and pushing for the importance of representation from queer communities—especially onscreen. The latest publication to embrace that in full is The Hollywood Reporter, which named the 50 most powerful LGBTQ+ players in Hollywood for its inaugural Pride Issue.Topping that list were Canadian Dan Levy for his important work on Schitt’s Creek, as well as Pose star and fashion icon Billy Porter, who has been an outspoken voice for bending gender norms and stereotypes on- and offscreen. Porter, who became the first openly gay black man to win the dramatic lead actor Emmy in 2019, will play Cinderella’s first genderless fairy godmother in the upcoming Camila Cabello-led adaptation of the classic. The actor revealed to the publication that he’ll feel good about the LGBTQ representation in Hollywood when, "the characters are three-dimensional human beings and not simply just clownin’ as the archetype, the magical queen sprinkling fairy dust all over the world."[video_embed id='1969112']RELATED: St. Jerome's Catholic University raises Pride flag[/video_embed]

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For its inaugural Pride issue, THR honed in on the talent and makers helping boost visibility and creating opportunities for members of the extended LGBTQ community. These 50-plus power players, each make a unique contribution — and share where they first felt seen by Hollywood and what work still needs to be done to achieve equitable representation. Link in bio. (? : @caitoppermann @dcmphoto.biz @erik_carter @liaclay @martymoes @david_needleman @alexandragavillet)

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Other names among the producers, actors, writers and activists who were celebrated included Ellen DeGeneres, who made history when she came out on primetime television in 1997, RuPaul Charles, the genius who gave the world RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Laverne Cox, the actress from Orange is the New Black who became the first trans performer to receive three Emmy nominations for her role on that show. "Representations can facilitate changing the material conditions of LGBTQ folks on- and offscreen across the globe," she said, in response to the same question of when she’ll feel good about representation in Hollywood.According to the publication, the purpose of the list was to highlight the people who are helping to boost LGBTQ+ visibility onscreen, while highlighting the work that still needs to be done to achieve equal representation. “LGBTQ representation in Hollywood is at an all-time high,” write the story’s editors. “Thanks to the showrunners driving authentic stories, filmmakers bucking decades-old heteronormative paradigms, actors emboldened to live more honestly and platforms bankrolling so much of it, being gay, queer, transgender or any other other has never been more widely embraced in the entertainment industry.”Many executives who have greenlit or written stereotype-breaking content were also recognized in the piece (think Ryan Murphy and Lee Daniels), as were actors like Sara Gilbert, Beanie Feldstein, Billy Eichner, Kate McKinnon, Janelle Monae, Kristen Stewart, Lena Waithe, Ben Platt and Jim Parsons. The entire Queer Eye cast was also recognized, as was Canadian late night host Lilly Singh. "Truthfully, being someone who identifies as bisexual and is also of South Asian descent, I haven't really seen much on television that I feel represents me," she told the publication. “As someone who came out later in life, I'd love to see a story about learning/living your truth as an adult."

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— Lilly Singh (@Lilly) March 12, 2020

The issue was about more than simply celebrating some of the most high-profile players though. Other features included a conversation with straight allies, a personal piece by the outlet’s chief film critic David Rooney, and stories of how people came out in Hollywood. In the latter piece stars like Wanda Sykes, Anderson Cooper and Rosie O’Donnell recall all of their fears and their “ultimate triumphs” that happened when they came out to the masses.“When I took the job [to host The Rosie O'Donnell Show], I told the executives at Warner Bros. that I was gay. It was a big meeting at a big corporate table with 20 seats on each side. I said, ‘Before you invest $5 million in me, I want you to know you're getting someone who's a lesbian in a time when being a lesbian could hurt your commerce,’" O’Donnell remembers. “They all said, ‘Do you imagine you're going to come out?’ I said, ‘I can't even imagine it.’ This was 1995 or '96, so nobody was out.”The host then revealed that when she did come out it was a celebratory affair. “First you get the ‘Hey, You're Gay’ Award, and they give it to you in some form, whether it's GLSEN or one of the great gay groups. Then the next person comes out, and then you get to send them a ‘Hey, You're Gay" Award.’”The Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons also recalled his own experiences for the story, revealing that even though things had changed by the time he landed his gig on the sitcom he was still scared. “I wasn't scared about losing my job. And I wasn't scared to the point of denying my sexuality. But I was scared enough to make it my mission not to talk about it,” he said. “I was scared enough to be nervous the first time I was even nominated for the Emmy. And I was scared that it might cause trouble, quote unquote, for our big television show…”The actor continued, “It makes me more sad and frustrated for anybody who is still in the closet or feels that they can't be free about who they are. I know firsthand that you can't know the strength that comes to your aid until you take the brave step forward. It's like that old quote, ‘Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.’”[video_embed id='1969669']BEFORE YOU GO: Trudeau pauses before answering question on Trump[/video_embed]