Oh gay Atlanta, you are so not influential. That's the take from the Atlanta Business Chronicle, which can't seem to find one openly gay mover and shaker for its list of influential Atlantans. Unless you count Tyler Perry.
The business newspaper again snubbed gay Atlanta, this time failing to include any openly gay people in its list of “The 100 Most Influential Atlantans of 2014.” In November, the paper couldn't find any gays on Twitter. It's odd, given that gay luminaries often top or bedazzle other pulblications' lists of the best in Atlanta.
Perry made both lists. But he dances around speculation that he's gay even if his muscle daddy ex-friend insists that yes, honey, Perry is loud and queer.
Tyler Perry
Actor, writer, director, producer
Georgia’s booming film industry has led it to be called “Y’allywood.” And there’s no more visible person in the business here than Tyler Perry. Perry, 44, has continued during the past year to build a partnership with Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network, which was formed in 2012. He just released his 17th movie of the past decade, “The Single Moms Club.” He’s using his enormous influence to help others succeed as he has. He just narrated a new documentary, “Spent: Looking for Change,” about American families living outside the traditional financial system.
See also: dragtastic diva. Sadly, a famous drag queen is as influential as it gets for this list.
Chronicle editors assembled its collection of Atlanta's most influential people. And it's a who's who of people you'd expect, including elected officials, business leaders and foundation chiefs. Even Sam Nunn, the former senator who heads the Nuclear Threat Initiative. In Washington, D.C. (And was instrumental in making the military's now-defunct ban on gays the law of the land.)
But at least the paper offers this disclaimer about its list:
As in years past, the list does not include media celebrities, pop stars, athletes or religious leaders.
Of course, on a list limited to 100 people, many influential and important leaders cannot be included.
Especially the gay ones.
