WE ASKED YOU TO NOMINATE YOUR MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF THE LAST 12 MONTHS. HERE THEY ARE!

PHOTOS BBC/RAY BURMISTON, EIVIND-HANSEN, CHRISTA HOLKA

When we launched the DIVA Power List last year, we were completely overwhelmed by the votes we received – not to mention the letters, emails and tweets. Designed to celebrate the amazing achievements of women and non-binary people in our community, we asked you to nominate the people who inspire you and we were so pleased that you got on board and did just that.

You’ve shown your support again this year, and the DIVA Power List 2017 is even bigger and better. Due to the sheer number of votes received, as well as the top 100 community heroes, celebrities, business leaders and politicians, we’ve created a list of power couples and a list of allies – those who, time and time again, have chosen to stand with us in good times, as well as bad. This is our thank you to them. As with last year, we’re delighted to see the true diversity of the LGBT community represented in your votes, and we hope this is an accurate reflection of our achievements over the last 12 months.

It’s been a memorable year – and not necessarily for the right reasons. While we’ve made great leaps forward in some regards – for example, marriage equality in Australia – we still wait for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

This year we have also been witness to increasing violence towards LGBT people in places like the US, Chechnya, and the UK, as well as the erosion of trans rights and growing political instability globally.

But even in these tumultuous times – especially in these tumultuous times – lesbians, bi women and non-binary people are doing amazing and vital work, and we think it’s more important now than ever that we recognise and celebrate these achievements. Let’s get on with it!

1 Susan Calman

As well as taking part in one of the most popular shows on television and inspiring people across the country, Susan Calman achieved a very personal goal in 2017: to feel beautiful.

The 43-year-old comedian, writer and TV personality caused some controversy when she signed up for Strictly Come Dancing, with many wanting to see her dance with a woman. But she soon put paid to her detractors with a series of wonderful performances with her dance partner (and new BFF) Kevin Clifton, in what she describes as a “life-changing experience”.

“I did think about dancing with a woman”, the former DIVA columnist says. “But from the very first moment when I was asked about the show I said I wanted to dance with a man. People can criticise me all they want, but I’ve worked tirelessly for LGBT equality my whole life and right now I would like to dance and bring entertainment to people by dancing on a Saturday night.” And bring entertainment she did, creating joy in the lives of many, and inspiring even more.

“All my life I’ve thought I was fat and ugly”, Susan tweeted during her impressive ten-week run. “I feel beautiful for the first time. Schmaltzy maybe. But true and bloody brilliant. It’s not just about dancing for me. It’s life-changing.”

@SusanCalman

2&3 Rose and Rosie

Climbing up three places from last year’s Power List are YouTube stars Rose and Rosie, who have had an incredible 2017. The year has seen them tour the UK and US, interview stars like Camila Cabello and, if that wasn’t enough, they’ve also won several awards, including Summer in the City Vlogger of the Year and a BBC Radio 1 Teen Award for Best British Vlogger. We can only imagine what 2018 will bring.

@RoseEllenDix @RoxeteraRibbons

4 Heather Peace

DIVA’s music editor and Radio DIVA co-host and co-producer, musician and actor Heather Peace is also patron of Diversity Role Models, Albert Kennedy Trust and Manchester Pride. This year, she and wife Ellie brought home two special gifts for their two-year-old Annie: twin girls Jessie and Lola.

@heatherpeace

5 Munroe Bergdorf

She might have been dropped as the face of L’Oreal due to comments on social media reported out of context by the Daily Mail, but social activist and model Munroe Bergdorf has emerged victorious, landing a deal with British make-up firm Illamasqua, as well as columns with publications including the Evening Standard and DIVA.