Most influential named

Australia’s 25 most influential gay and lesbian Australians were announced in Melbourne last night.

From the penthouses of the Cullen Hotel in Prahran, the winners were read out by event founder Tim Duggan and included a steady  mix of politicians, celebrities, artists and volunteers.

The awards ceremony is now in its fourth year.

The list includes comedians Josh Thomas and Tom Ballard,  television personality Ruby Rose, diver Matthew Mitcham, marriage equality lobbyists Alex Greenwich and Ali Hogg, performer Trevor Ashley, filmmaker Emma Freeman and playwright Tommy Murphy.

Greens leader Bob Brown was once again on the list and Labor Senator Penny Wong was also added this year for her push in 2010 for GLBT rights.

See the full list of winner below (in alphabetical order):

• Adam Boland (NSW)

Former Executive Producer of Sunrise
Why: Adam created a new television format for Australian breakfast television as the Exceutive Producer of Sunrise ten years ago. He has risen to be one of the most influential people in television, and has just left Sunrise at the end of last year to pursue his own productions.

• Alex Greenwich (NSW)

Convenor, Australian Marriage Equality
Why: At just 30, Alex is one of Australia’s pre-eminent spokespeople for same sex equality as the Convenor of Australia’s foremost marriage lobby group.

• Ali Hogg (VIC)

Convenor, Equal Love
Why: The driving force behind Melbourne’s marriage equality group that draws a record number of people to its rallies and marches.

• Bob Brown (TAS)

Leader of the Australian Greens
Why: A member of the Australian Senate since 1996, Brown has taken courageous, and often politically lonely, stand on issues across the national and international spectrum. He is one of only two members of the Same Same 25 to be on the list every year since its inception four years ago.

• Daniel Kowalski (VIC)

Olympic swimmer
Why: This former Olympic swimmer made waves worldwide when he publically come out in 2010 and has since been a vocal supporter and campaigner for gay rights in the media.

• Emma Freeman (VIC)

Director
Why: This young female director is climbing to the top of her film, directing the powerhouse Hawke tele-movie in 2010, several music videos and is set for very big things.

• Fiona McGregor (NSW)

Author
Why: Award-winning author of Chemical Palace, Fiona released her fourth novel in 2010, Indelible Ink, to much critical acclaim.

• Glenn Hansen (NSW)

Organiser, Sydney Pride Week
Why: Glenn juggles many roles, including drag persona Candy Box, the long-time manager of instituion the Stonewall Hotel and the organiser behind the revival of Sydney Pride Week.

• John Frost (VIC)

Theatre producer
Why: Legendary theatre producer who has toured some of the largest productions in the world, including Wicked, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and the upcoming Dr Zhivago.

• Jonny Seymour (NSW)

Muisc producer and DJ
Why: Musician and DJ Seymour Butz is one half of Stereogamous with Paul Mac, has written and produced with silverchair, Daniel Johns and most recently with Jake Shears and Scissor Sisters.

• Josh Thomas (VIC)

Comedian
Why: One of Australia’s brightest new comedians, his work on Takin’ Bout Your Generation and his solo shows have earned him a massive following at 21 years-old.

• Lex Lindsay (NSW)

Film festival director
Why: The Director of Queerscreen which runs the Mardi Gras Film Festival and more, Lex’s company was recently recognised at the Inside Film Awards as the Best Festival in Australia.

• Lynne Hillier (VIC)

Researcher
Why: Lead researcher at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, Lynne has created some of the most ground-breaking research that has helped shape policy for years.

• Matthew Mitcham (NSW)

Gold medal winning diver
Why: Inspiring beyond his years, 22 year-old Mitcham has used his high profile since winning gold at the Beijing Olympics to help the propel the gay community forward both here and overseas.

• Michael Kirby (NSW)

Former High Court Justice
Why: Since leaving the bench of the High Court of Australia, Kirby has continued to influence and direct public debate with his reasoned and insightful commentary.

• Paul Martin (QLD)

Psychologist
Why: Clinical psychologist Paul Martin from Brisbane has helped changed the lives of many people in his community, especially the parents and friends of lesbians and gay people.

• Penny Wong (SA)

Finance Minister
Why: Previously the Minister for Climate Change, Penny is now the Finance Minister under Julia Gillard and has used 2010 as the year that she finally came out swinging for marriage equality from inside her own party.

• Ruby Rose (NSW)

TV Presenter
Why: High-profile media personality had a busy year that saw her fashion designer to her already full schedule of hosting and presenting.

• Sia Furler (SA)

Singer
Why: Adelaide-born Sia had an amazing year with the ‘We Are Born’ tour and winning of the Best Pop Release at the ARIAs. And all with a smile on her face.

• Stephen Brady (ACT)

Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia
Why: The Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia, Stephen and his partner became the world’s first officially ackknowledged gay ambassadorial couple over a decade ago. Stephen now runs the office of Australia’s Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

• Tim Wilson (VIC)

Writer
Why: Tim is the Director of the Intellectual Property and Free Trade Unit at the Institute of Public Affairs. He is a writer, thinker and commentator who is often in the media.

• Tom Ballard (NSW)

Comedian
Why: 21 year-old comedian Tom Ballard is the co-host of Triple J’s Morning Show as well as the star of solo shows and comedy festivals.

• Tommy Murphy (NSW)

Playwright
Why: Award-winning young playwright who has written Strangers in Between, adapted Holding the Man and in 2010 created Gwen in Purgatory for Neil Armfield’s Belvoir Theatre.

• Trevor Ashley (NSW)

Actor
Why: Actor, singer and drag artist, Trevor has conquered the cabaret world and is now starring as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray the Musical.

• Wendell Rosevear (QLD)

Medical Practioner
Why: Co-founder of the Gladstone Road and Stonewall Medical Centres in Brisbane, Dr Rosevear has worked with prisons, people with HIV, suicide preventation and more to have a large influence over his community.