Press. Media.
OUT100 2018 PRESS
When the 2018 Out100 portfolio I spearheaded was launched online in November ’18, it yielded more than 600 million media impressions within two weeks. Click on the images below to read more on selected coverage.
VARIETY
“Curated by executive editor R. Kurt Osenlund, This year’s honorees compose the most diverse Out100 list in history; more than 40 award recipients are people of color and more than 40 are women. At least 20 honorees identify as transgender or non-binary, and over half are under age 35.”
POP SUGAR
“The list was curated by Out's executive editor, R. Kurt Osenlund. ‘Women saw more hard-won, long-delayed acknowledgment in 2018 than perhaps in any other year in our nation's history, and that has included LGBTQ women,’ he said. ‘We weren't just adamant about including a wide range of women—we simply looked at the culture and saw what was happening.’”
LOS ANGELES TIMES
“The theme of this year’s list is Generations, which executive editor R. Kurt Osenlund reflected on in his editor’s letter for the magazine. ‘Young queer people embody the progress no one can stop,’ Osenlund wrote. ‘They are inflexibly done with systemic ugliness and toxic traditions.’”
EXTRA (VIDEO INTERVIEW)
“As for how the list was curated, Out editor R. Kurt Osenlund said, ‘We looked at at every pocket of culture to see who was making their voice heard. We found a lot of different people. Our community is not one size, shape, color, or gender identity. It dictated how we chose people, but it was an organic process because it’s simply what our community looks like.’”
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
“Curated by Executive Editor R. Kurt Osenlund, this year's list is said to be the most diverse Out 100 in its 24-year history. Says Osenlund, ‘In the area of entertainment, specifically, we're simply seeing more varied types of LGBTQ people rise up and be visible and successful.’”
THE DAILY FRONT ROW
“‘It was a thrill to include such a widespread group of honorees from the fashion community,’ R. Kurt Osenlund, the title’s executive editor, told The Daily. ‘Fashion is more diverse and reflective of LGBTQ people than ever before, and we are honored to reflect that in the Out100.’”
BILLBOARD
“The theme of this year’s Out100 is ‘Generations,’ celebrating mainly young queer people and their move toward greater activism, but emphasizing the importance of dialogue between both the old and new generations.”
PEOPLE
“Out’s executive editor, R. Kurt Osenlund, was in charge of this year’s Out100 package and says the Fab Five were chosen as cover stars for their tremendous impact. “The most important thing about these men is that, on a fundamental level, they help people and work to make people’s lives better. It sends a widespread message that LGBTQ people are not burdens.’”
L’OFFICIEL
“Considering that this year has been a polarizing year for all minority groups within the States, a celebration like this is sorely needed. Called the most diverse list yet, it’s amazing to see the LGBTQIA community embracing gender and racial diversity as well.”
BROADWAY
“Notables also include two-time Tony winner and gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon—named Hero of the Year—along with Tony nominee Brendon Urie (SpongeBob SquarePants, Kinky Boots), four-time Tony-winning producer Jordan Roth (Angels in America, Falsettos), and original Rent star Anthony Rapp.”
E! NEWS
“This year marks the magazine's most diverse list yet, with honorees including Queer Eye stars Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, and Jonathan Van Ness, as well as performer Billy Porter and 19-year-old activist Emma Gonzalez. The Fab 5 received the honor of Entertainers of the Year, while Pose star Porter was recognized with Performance of the Year.”
REFINERY 29
“Each year, the Out100 highlights LGBTQ visionaries across platforms, including musicians, athletes, actors and activists. The Pose cast swept the awards this year, surpassing even Queer Eye, whose cast won ‘best entertainers’ as a group.”
ET CANADA
“Out‘s executive editor R. Kurt Osenlund said of the most diverse Out100 portfolio ever, ‘Young queer people are unaccepting of anything that centers around a single, tired narrative, they are forcing change in the way society views normalcy, uses pronouns, embraces intersectionality, and creates media.’”
THE GRAPEVINE
“The list showed that black people have always been part of what makes the LGBT+ community shine. It’s good that our people are finally getting recognized for continuously slaying the scene!
NEW NOW NEXT
“The 2018 Out100 is here, and its honorees are more exciting and diverse than ever. The list was curated by Out magazine executive editor R. Kurt Osenlund and features more than 40 women and people of color. More than half of this year’s Out100 are also under the age of 35.
ADDITIONAL PRESS
Below is a sampling of additional press about me and my work, including interviews, on-camera appearances, coverage of panel moderations, and award recognition. Click on each image for more.
OUT (THE ROAD AHEAD: MY JOURNEY AND WHAT DRIVES ME)
“Be honest with yourself. Know what your skills are and trust them. Surround yourself with people who will nourish those skills. Know your worth and have the courage to ask for it. Always remain open to the diverse experiences of others. They will enrich your own.”
“THE ROAD AHEAD” SUMMIT (PANEL MODERATION)
I lead a panel discussion with fellow industry creatives Amy Virginia Buchanan, Daniel Sueng-Lee, Jerome LaMaar, and JD Samson in partnership with Genesis USA in honor of National Coming Out Day.
Photography by Emil Cohen
BILLBOARD PRIDE (COVERAGE OF OUT OCT. ’18 COVER)
“‘What keeps us moving even when countless distressing headlines might urge us to be idle and scared? Quite often, it’s simply the pulse of music,’ Out executive editor R. Kurt Osenlund said. ‘In this issue we celebrate four women whose diverse musical talents can prop us up in the morning or keep us dancing all night.’”
WEHO TIMES (OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD HONOR AT THE BREAKING THE SILENCE AWARDS)
“Honorees included former West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land, Williams’ Institute Founding Executive Director Brad Sears, Pulse Shooting Massacre Survivor Angel Colons, Celebrity DJ Zeke Thomas, and OUT Magazine Managing Editor R. Kurt Osenlund.”
CHEDDAR (LIVE VIDEO SEGMENT)
I chat with the Cheddar news team about how businesses and branded content align with Pride month.
HIV HERO (LIVE RED CARPET INTERVIEW)
I speak to a reporter about the editorial and curatorial process that goes into the Out100 during a previous event for a past portfolio.
OUT COVERAGE OF THE GREATEST SHOWMAN EVENT (LIVE VIDEO SEGMENT)
I report live from a New York premiere event for the musical Oscar contender The Greatest Showman.