Rainbow List 2015: Celebration offers ray of light in an otherwise dark few days

If ever there was a line-up of people who stand defiant in the face of ignorance and hostility it is the LGBTI community

Celebrating at the Rainbow List party (Micha Theiner)

We considered postponing the Rainbow List from last week’s paper, given the events in Paris. But months of work had gone into preparing and judging the list, and a party, which couldn’t be put off at short notice, had been organised to celebrate. As it turned out, the party was – like the list itself – a ray of light in an otherwise dark few days. If ever there was a line-up of people who stand defiant in the face of ignorance and hostility (that, sadly, still exists), it is the LGBTI community.

Held at the stunning SkyBar at the top of the Grange St Paul’s Hotel, the room and the terrace overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral were soon brimming with positivity and excitement as established friends chatted and new contacts were forged. There was a real sense of long-time listees enjoying the fact that this year there were so many new faces – batons being passed, alliances being formed.

Placing on the list was a hot topic; some people even introduced themselves by their number. Newcomer in the top slot, Riley Carter Millington found himself involved in endless selfies and group shots and quickly embraced his new fame.

During the speeches, there was a cheer both for the decision to run the Rainbow List last week, and for the inclusion for the first time of intersex people. Then Sarah Opie, chair of the sponsor, Asda’s Pride Network, made an impassioned speech about how far we’ve come, but how far there is still to go in ending prejudice and making equality a reality in workplaces. Later, Claire Farrington of Grange Hotels shared the company’s pride in hosting the event.

It should be added that the hotel’s bar staff did amazing work serving 200 people with cocktails provided by fellow supporters Smirnoff; and the caps were popped on many of BrewDog’s clever and entirely rainbow-friendly “No Label” beers. Our thanks to them both for making the party go with a swing, and to Skittles for giving everyone a sweet Taste the Rainbow treat for the journey home.

It was without doubt a bigger, and brighter, list than ever before. Here’s to 2016…