When POWER UP announced that it was releasing a ranking of the “Top 10 Most Powerful Gay Women in Show Business,” a common reaction was, “Are there that many?”  Even writer/director Lee Rose (The Truth About Jane), who was ranked seventh on the list, joked, “Who are the other nine?

"There’s some truth in every jest,” said Stacy Codikow, co-founder of POWER UP (Professional Organization of Women in Entertainment Reaching UP), a networking group that promotes the visibility of gay women in the entertainment industry.  “The truth is that there are great numbers of powerful gay women in the entertainment industry, but many feel they have to stay in the closet for fear of facing prejudice.”

Nina Jacobson, President of Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group and ranked fourth on the list, said: “I am honored to be included in the POWER UP list.  I hope that as an out lesbian and working mom, I can inspire others to pursue all of their goals, personal and professional, no matter how many people tell you that one must be sacrificed for the other.  At the same time, my thoughts are with all of those who are unable to come out because of the lack of civil rights protection for gay and lesbian people in many parts of this country – and the world.”

Ellen DeGeneres was ranked number one on the list.  DeGeneres made TV history in 1997 by coming out on her show Ellen.  She accepted the title of the Most Powerful Gay Woman in Show Business with characteristic comedic flair.

“I'm not really sure what that means, possibly that I can bench press more than the others.  In any case I'm both honored and shocked at the same time.   But this title I have now gives me power, I'm not sure how I'll use it yet.  I may add another day to the week, it will be called Gay Day and everyone must be gay on that day.  Or maybe I'll just use my power to boss the other nine around, I'm not sure,” said DeGeneres.

Another celebrity who came out in a very public way is singer Melissa Etheridge, who announced her sexuality from the stage at a 1993 inauguration celebration for President Clinton and is proud to have been a pioneer for gay women coming out in the music industry.  Etheridge, who was ranked second, said that she considers it “an honor and a privilege to be voted as one of the top 10 Gay Women in Show Business.”

Director Kimberly Peirce, (Boys Don’t Cry), ranked fifth, is also very vocal about her support for equality for gays and women in her profession.  

“In publicly recognizing and supporting queer women in the film industry, POWER UP is continuing the vital work of making visible women's advancement in the film industry.  I am flattered to be recognized with such a great group of women,” said Peirce.  

Echoing Peirce’s spirit of unity among gay women in the industry, writer/director Jane Anderson (When Billie Beat Bobby, If these Walls Could Talk II, The Baby Dance), ranked sixth, said: “I salute the new generation of lesbian filmmakers.  May your voices ring loud and ring true.”  

Producer/writer Jan Oxenberg (Once & Again, Chicago Hope, Relativity)  tells how an executive producer specifically sought her out to "congratulate" Oxenberg on being gay; noting that being outspoken about her lifestyle has actually helped her career.  Oxenberg, ranked ninth, hopes that the efforts of POWER UP, and the message of the Top 10 list, will help other gay women in the industry.   

 “It's challenging to try and sound both appealingly modest and just plain thrilled about being voted on to this list.  It's a total, complete and unconditional thrill that such a list exists, though!   And, you get to be in such great company on this list!  I invite all remaining closeted lesbians in Hollywood to jump on out, just to try and get on POWER UP's list.  You won't be sorry,” said Oxenberg.  

Amy Shomer, Ellen & Stacy Codikow

Others who made the list are k.d. lang (ranked third), producer Leslie Belzberg (ranked eighth), and Lily Tomlin (ranked tenth).  

POWER UP plans to release the list each year.  According to the group’s co-founder, producer Amy Shomer, the list is one means of achieving the organization’s goal of promoting the visibility of gay women in show business. 

 “We wanted to publicize the fact that there are significant numbers of powerful and prominent gay women involved in all areas of entertainment.  The list is very affirming to young women seeking role models in the industry, and it sends a message to closeted gays that being 'out' is okay.  The more of us who are out, the easier it is for others to come out,” said Shomer.  

The organization’s 350 members voted on the list in an open selection process.  Members were asked to identify the most successful and influential openly gay women in the entertainment industry whose work they admired and respected. 

In the end, there were more than 70 women were nominated, but that reflects only a small number of powerful women who are gay in the industry according to Shomer.

“There are many women who were strong contenders for this list, but they are not out because of real or perceived risks to their careers.  We respect their choice to stay in the closet, but our hope is that one day soon it will not be an issue, and that in the future these women will be lobbying to make this list,” said Codikow.