John Cooper

Known as: American film festival director.

Known for:
- Current director of the Sundance Film Festival.

Know more:
- Out Magazine profile
- Official Facebook page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The Out Power 50 2010

Brook Colangelo

Known as: American political adviser.

Known for:
- Chief Information Officer for the Office of Administration in the Executive Office of President Obama.

Know more:
- Official bio

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The Out Power 50 2010

Thom Browne

Known as: American fashion designer.

Known for:
- Founder and head of design for Thom Browne, a New York City-based menswear brand.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The Out Power 50 2010

Gaye Adegbalola

Known as: American singer and musician.

Known for:
- Member of the blues group Sapphire.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page

Jeanette Winterson

Known as: English writer.

Known for:
- Her award winning novels, including Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, Sexing the Cherry and The World and Other Places.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- GLBTQ Encyclopedia entry

S.K. Thoth

Known as: American performance artist and composer.

Known for:
- Subject of the Academy Award winning documentary Thoth.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page
- Official YouTube channel

Amanda Simpson

Known as: American politician.

Known for:
- Senior technical adviser for the US Department of Commerce; the first female transgender presidential appointee.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Official Facebook page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: GLBT History Month 2011

Michael Redgrave

Known as: English actor, director and writer.

Known for:
- Award winning star of stage and screen; father of actors Vanessa Redgrave, Corin Redgrave and Lynn Redgrave.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Internet Broadway Database page

Melissa Sue Robinson

Known as: American politician.

Known for:
- Currently running for the office of Mayor of Nampa, Idaho.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Rhett O'Hara

Known as: American pornographic actor.

Known for:
- His performances in movies for various adult studios.

Know more:
- Internet Movie Database page
- Gay Porn Stars profile (NSFW)

Shop for Rhett O'Hara movies and more at TLA.

Mike Manning

Known as: American reality TV personality.

Known for:
- His appearances on the 23rd season of The Real World.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page for The Real World: Washington DC
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official Twitter page

Patricia Highsmith

Known as: American writer.

Known for:
- Her psychological thrillers, most notably Strangers on a Train and the Tom Ripley series.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- GLBTQ Encyclopedia entry

Carlo Festa

Known as: Czech pornographic actor; a.k.a. Carlo Kovarik.

Known for:
- His performances in movies for various adult studios.

Know more:
- Internet Movie Database page
- Gay Porn Stars profile (NSFW)

Shop for Carlo Festa movies and more at TLA.

Spotlight On: The Out Power 50 2010

This week, Out Magazine published their 4th Annual "Power 50", their ranking of "America’s most influential gay men and women":

1. Ellen DeGeneres
2. Barney Frank
3. Anderson Cooper*
4. Rachel Maddow
5. Adam Lambert
6. Barry Diller*
7. Neil Patrick Harris
8. Joe Solmonese
9. Tammy Baldwin
10. Jared Polis
11. Marc Jacobs
12. Rich Ross
13. Tom Ford
14. Tim Gill
15. Matt Drudge*
16. Jann Wenner
17. Fred Hochberg
18. David Geffen
19. V. Gene Robinson
20. Scott Rudin
21. Peter Thiel
22. Richard Berke
23. Christine C. Quinn
24. Anthony Romero
25. Lee Daniels
26. Perez Hilton
27. Suze Orman
28. Daniel Choi
29. Chad Griffin
30. Dustin Lance Black
31. Andrew Sullivan
32. Alan Ball
33. Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane
34. Nick Denton
35. Michael Patrick King
36. Wanda Sykes
37. Robert Hanson
38. Andrew Tobias
39. Martha Nelson
40. Adam Moss
41. Jodie Foster*
42. Rufus Gifford
43. Gus Van Sant
44. Thom Browne
45. John Cooper
46. Jim Nelson
47. Tim Gunn
48. Brook Colangelo
49. Simon Halls and Stephen Huvane
50. Urvashi Vaid

As you can see, Out's editorial staff once again chose to include four individuals whose sexuality would best be described as a "matter of dispute" at this point (noted above with an asterisk).

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The Out Power 50 2009

Spotlight On: is an occasional feature here on The QuOD that highlights various pop culture touchstones involving a number of GLBT people of note.

Sahara Davenport

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née Antoine Ashley.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page
- Official YouTube channel

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Nicole Paige Brooks

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née Bryan Christopher.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Long John Baldry

Known as: English singer and actor.

Known for:
- His hit singles "Let the Heartaches Begin" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"; prolific voice over artist.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page

Pandora Boxx

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née Michael Steck.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page
- Official YouTube channel

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Mathu Andersen

Known as: Australian makeup artist and photographer.

Known for:
- Celebrity stylist whose clients include Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson, Tyra Banks and RuPaul.

Know more:
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Jessica Wild

Known as: Puerto Rican drag performer and reality TV personality; née José David Sierra.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Rob Williams

Known as: American director, writer and producer.

Known for:
- His films Long-Term Relationship, Back Soon, 3-Day Weekend, Make the Yuletide Gay and Role/Play.

Know more:
- Official site
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official Twitter page

Shangela Laquifa Wadley

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née D.J. Pierce.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second and third seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page
- Official YouTube channel

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 3

Kim Vo

Known as: Vietnamese hair stylist and reality TV personality.

Known for:
- Judge on Shear Genius.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page for Shear Genius
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official Twitter page

Tyra Sanchez

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née James Ross.

Known for:
- Winner of the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2
- Spotlight On: The Out 100 2010
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 3

Sonique

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née Jason Lee Edwards.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Raven

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née David Petruschin.

Known for:
- First runner-up on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 3

Kimberly Reed

Known as: American director and producer.

Known for:
- Her autobiographical documentary Prodigal Sons.

Know more:
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The Out 100 2010
- Spotlight On: The 2010 GLAAD Media Awards

Tatianna Poriskova

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née Joey Santolini.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Charles Perez

Known as: American journalist and television host.

Known for:
- Host of The Charles Perez Show and American Journal.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page

Anna Paquin

Known as: New Zealander actress.

Known for:
- Academy Award and Golden Globe winning actress of film (The Piano, the X-Men series) and TV (True Blood).

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Internet Broadway Database page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The 2008 GLAAD Media Awards
- Spotlight On: The 2009 GLAAD Media Awards
- Spotlight On: The 2010 GLAAD Media Awards

Morgan McMichaels

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née Thomas Hawkins.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Mystique Summers Madison

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née Donté Sims.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page
- Official YouTube channel

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Marc Malkin

Known as: American journalist.

Known for:
- Celebrity gossip columnist for the E! network.

Know more:
- Official bio
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

Michael Kors

Known as: American fashion designer and reality TV personality.

Known for:
- His brands of apparel and fragrances; judge on Project Runway.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The 2010 GLAAD Media Awards

Jujubee

Known as: American drag performer and reality TV personality; née Airline Inthyrath.

Known for:
- Contestant on the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page for RuPaul's Drag Race
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 3

Lorraine Hansberry

Known as: American writer.

Known for:
- Her play A Raisin in the Sun, the first play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Internet Broadway Database page
- GLBTQ Encyclopedia entry

Mark Foley

Known as: American politician.

Known for:
- Former member of the US House of Representatives who resigned following an infamous sex scandal.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page

Terry Dolan

Known as: American activist.

Known for:
- Co-founder and chairman of the National Conservative Political Action Committee (NCPAC).

Know more:
- Wikipedia page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: Outrage

Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Seasons 1 & 2

RuPaul's Drag Race(Season 1: 2009; Season 2: 2010)

Known as: American reality TV series.

Known for:
- Logo hit that chronicles the search for "America's next drag superstar".

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official Twitter page

Cast:
RuPaul, host/mentor/judge
Santino Rice, judge

Season 1 Contestants:
Akashia
Bebe Zahara Benet, winner
Tammie Brown
Nina Flowers, runner-up
Rebecca Glasscock
Jade
Ongina
Victoria "Porkchop" Parker
Shannel

Season 2 Contestants:
Pandora Boxx
Nicole Paige Brooks
Sahara Davenport
Jujubee
Mystique Summers Madison
Morgan McMichaels
Tatianna Poriskova
Raven, runner-up
Tyra Sanchez, winner
Sonique
Shangela Laquifa Wadley
Jessica Wild

Guest Stars:
Mathu Andersen
Cazwell
Marc Malkin
Alec Mapa
Mike Ruiz
James St. James
Jenny Shimizu
Robert Verdi

Creators/Crew:
Fenton Bailey, executive producer
Randy Barbato, executive producer

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The 2009 GLAAD Media Awards
- Spotlight On: RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 3

Spotlight On: is an occasional feature here on The QuOD that highlights various pop culture touchstones involving a number of GLBT people of note.

Tanner Cohen

Known as: American actor and singer.

Known for:
- His portrayal of Timothy in Were the World Mine; lead singer of the electronica band The Guts.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page

See more pictures of Tanner Cohen in The Back Room (NSFW).

Steven Clemons

Known as: American blogger.

Known for:
- Publisher of the popular political blog The Washington Note.

Know more:
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: Outrage

Brandi Carlile

Known as: American singer, songwriter and musician.

Known for:
- Her hit single "The Story" (featured on Grey's Anatomy); her album Give Up the Ghost.

Know more:
- Official site
- Wikipedia page
- Internet Movie Database page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Official YouTube channel

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: The 2009 GLAAD Media Awards

John Byrne

Known as: American journalist.

Known for:
- Editor and publisher of the political weblog The Raw Story.

Know more:
- Official bio
- Internet Movie Database page

Related posts on The QuOD:
- Spotlight On: Outrage