This year Out magazine is celebrating its Out 100 -- its annual list of the 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of the year -- with a first: four separate covers featuring comedian and LGBT ally Kathy Griffin, actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, male model Andrej Pejic, and legendary activist and writer Larry Kramer.
The covers, when placed together, depict a wedding scene, a tribute to the momentous marriage equality win in New York this summer, featuring the gender-bending Pejic, who has been named Out's "Stylemaker of the Year," as a blushing bride with the other cover stars looking on.
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The 2011 Out 100(CLONED)
Griffin, the "Entertainer of the Year," told Out that her affinity for the LGBT community started in school. "I was beyond a nerd. I was that girl who went to the dance with a gay guy, but he didn't know he was gay yet. I asked four guys to the Sadie Hawkins dance, and they all said 'No.' Do you know how embarrassing that is? And then, one adorable gay man who just happened to be in 'Fiddler on the Roof' with me said 'Yes.' We’ve been friends ever since," she said.
"Modern Family"'s Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who also appeared on the magazine's cover in May of 2010, is this year's "Artist of the Year." In response to the honor Ferguson joked, "Jane Lynch must have said, 'I don't want it this year, stop showering me with praise, please give it to someone else. And I was, like, fourth on the Someone Else list."
Activist Larry Kramer, perhaps best known for his groundbreaking book "Faggots" and founding ACT UP, celebrated a banner year with the critically acclaimed and Tony-winning revival of his play "The Normal Heart."
Pejic, who exploded onto the scene in 2011, walks in both men's and women's shows, and famously closed Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2011 couture show in a fur-trimmed dress.
Other honorees featured in the 2011 Out 100 include singer Adam Lambert, a shirtless Chaz Bono, writer and It Gets Better founder Dan Savage, Bravo's Andy Cohen, Daniel Hernandez -- the courageous intern who helped save U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords life, comedian Geri Jewell, writer David Mixner, Raja and Shangela from "RuPaul's Drag Race," and artist Julie Mehretu.
Each honoree was shot by famed photographer Gavin Bond and each portrait was inspired by an iconic 20th century photo originally snapped by a legend like Andy Warhol and Herb Ritts.
The 2011 Out 100 double issue will be available on newsstands on November 22, but you can see the full portfolio now at Out.com.
Tonight the magazine will hold its annual Out 100 launch party in New York City. Visit Gay Voices tomorrow to see a full report, including photos and quotes from the celebrities who will be in attendance.