Who did we miss?
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY A24
2025 was full of fantastic moments for the LGBTQIA+ community. Despite the troubling times that we are living through – with queer rights around the world being threatened – we have had some incredible role models to look up to who have been flying the rainbow flag high this year.
In a world that is becoming increasingly full of hatred, here are some of the people bringing us light.
Reneé Rapp
In case you missed it, Reneé Rapp pretty much owned this year. Whether it be her Bite Me album or featuring the Jennifer Beals in her tour, Reneé has been providing the lesbian representation we’ve desperately been craving. She also gave us the iconic line “Don’t bring my big f**king lesbian name into your mouth and into this drama” when discussing the Betty Who saga earlier this year.
Doechii
We will not shut up about rapper and all-round bicon Doechii. From breathtaking performances to lap dances with Ayo Edebiri, this Florida superstar only seems to be getting better and better. Alongside her musical performances, Doechii has also shown how to be an ally to the trans community, consistently using her platform to speak up against the attacks happening towards trans+ people.
Cynthia Erivo
Wicked star Cynthia Erivo made history this year by becoming the first Black woman to be nominated twice in the lead actress (comedy or musical) category in Golden Globes history. The actor continued to provide the LGBTQIA+ community with beautiful representation in the sequel to the hit Wicked film that came out last year.
Lucy Dacus
When gay marriage seemed to be under threat in the States, Lucy Dacus knew exactly what to do: become an officiant. Across her entire US tour, Lucy officiated 154 weddings and provided thousands of fans with memories of queer love that will last a lifetime.
Ayo Edebiri
Hollywood’s sweetheart Ayo Edebiri has had a busy year. Whether it be receiving aforementioned lap dances from Doechii or starring in some of the biggest films of the year like Opus or After The Hunt, Ayo has continued her rise to the top. Oh, and she’s still our ultimate fashion icon this year too.
Cat Burns
Singer and songwriter Cat Burns has had a huge year. Her album How To Be Human has captivated the hearts of fans around the world, with songs like Girls becoming ultimate sapphic hits. Cat also stole the nation’s heart when she competed on the BBC’s iconic show The Traitors. Taking part as a Traitor, Cat’s careful gameplay and alliance with fellow Traitor Alan Carr had us all glued to the TV.
Munroe Bergdorf
Following the UK Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, trans rights in the UK have been dangerously threatened. Model and activist Munroe Bergdorf has become a powerful figurehead of hope for the trans community, having released her documentary Love & Rage and book Talk To Me this year.
Jess Carter
This summer, we could all only talk about one thing: football. The women’s Euro was one of the most watched TV events of the year, with England eventually taking home the coveted trophy for a second time. Jess Carter was instrumental in ensuring this victory, and was heralded for her gameplay. This year, she also spoke up about the impact of racism on social media, sparking global conversations about the way Black football players are treated both on the pitch and off it.
Chappell Roan
Our favourite Midwest Princess continued to lead the lesbian renaissance in 2025 with the release of The Giver and The Subway. She also continued to support LGBTQIA+ organisations around the world, even announcing earlier this month that she was partnering with two Australian LGBTQIA+ charities to raise funds to help trans and gender diverse community groups.
The Vivienne
At the beginning of this year it was announced that Drag Race superstar The Vivienne had tragically passed away. For the last 12 months, their legacy has been remembered as a shining beacon of hope, power and beauty. In August, a documentary reflecting on their legacy called Dear Viv recounted the enormous contribution The Vivienne made to queer culture.
KATSEYE
From global hits to powerful coming outs, KATSEYE has had quite the year. When they’re not busy making banger after banger, the girl group has been standing up for queer rights and providing representation for LGBTQIA+ fans everywhere. Both Lara and Megan are providing powerful LGBTQIA+ visibility within the K-pop sphere, something which has rarely been done before.
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