Out Magazine is considered to be one of the top US publications for the LGBTQ community. For the past 15 years, it's been creating content highlighting LGBTQ culture, lifestyle, and of course, people.
Last week, they released the OUT100, which recognizes 100 different LGBTQ professionals in different categories, such as Newsmaker of the Year (Chelsea Manning), Artist of the Year (Lena Waithe), and Stylemaker of the Year (Shayne Oliver). Here are the dancers and choreographers being spotlighted this year.
Bill T. Jones
Jones is one of the most recognizable names in modern dance, and has been creating work relating to LGBTQ issues, such as the AIDS crisis, for many years.
Adam Shankman
Shankman is a director and producer known for his work in the musical theater and film realm (he was responsible for the film versions of Rock of Ages and Hairspray). Currently, he's working on Step Up: High Water, for YouTube Red, which features a story circled around a gay black dancer.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
While the magazine wanted to highlight the work the company does in general, it brought special attention to several of its LGBTQ company members, including Michael Francis McBride & Samuel Lee Roberts (who are a couple on the stage and off!), Yannick Lebrun, Vernard J. Gilmore and Daniel Harder.
Kyle Abraham
Dancer and choreographer Kyle Abraham (along with his company Abraham in Motion) has been creating a lot of waves over the last few years. Abraham has been the recipient of many awards, and is a dedicated supporter of Dancers Responding to AIDS.
Jonathan Groff
Though he's not technically known as a dancer, we wanted to give this guy a special shout out for nabbing the "Entertainer of the Year" cover story. You may know Jonathan from the original Broadway production of Spring Awakening, and for his role as King George II in Hamilton.