Introducing the first Fortune LGBTQ+ Leaders list

For the first time in history, wealth ranked by revenue, the world’s top CEOs, presidents and co-founders who it also happens to be LGBTQ+. All of the companies that made the cut this year reported revenues of at least $100 million, highlighting how THE the definitive ranking of LGBTQ+ business leaders.

Click here to explore the full list.

Photo illustration by Max-o-Matic

When it comes to business, diversity pays dividends. One notable company is Paramount Global, which boasts not one, but two outspoken CEOs. Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President/CEO of MTV Entertainment Studios and George Cheeks, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President/CEO of CBS Entertainment together led Paramount (along with Co-CEO Brian Robbins) to new heights at #142 on the Fortune 500 list. “When I was growing up, there were no LGBTQ+ people in my life or around me. Television provided the only way to escape, see myself and start dreaming of a different world,” said co-CEO Chris McCarthy. Wealth.

In our extensive research, we found many positives – compared to our flagship Fortune 500 and Fortune 500 Europe lists, the Fortune LGBTQ+ Leaders list is more diverse, with 20% women (compared to 6% in the Global 500) and better than it was to be expected. diversity.

Courtesy of EY

A trailblazer in Asia is EY Japan CEO Moriaki Kida, who spent 11 years hiding his true self until he made partner at EY. Today, he is a proud supporter of LGBTQ+ rights in Japan, particularly regarding same-sex marriage, a hotly debated issue in the country. “Japan’s lack of recognition of same-sex marriage makes it harder for LGBT+ talent and executives to stay or move here. I am committed to supporting Japan to remain competitive and attractive for business,” says Kida.

Despite the current hostile climate for the trans community, we were also encouraged to celebrate two openly trans leaders who made our inaugural ranking. Hopefully, as this important list grows in the years to come, more leaders will feel inspired to be authentic in the office.

I spoke to several CEOs who, despite being in the public eye, prefer not to attach their personal lives to their businesses for fear of repercussions in their home countries. Lest we forget, as Human Rights Watch closely monitors every year, those living in many of Africa’s fast-growing economies or heavyweights like Russia and China face not only career suicide by being outspoken, but he risks his life.

Today we celebrate the leaders who bravely blazed a trail, paving the way for the next generation. A thread that unites many of them is a story of courage. Coming out is one of life’s greatest challenges, and they channeled that experience to make them stronger leaders.

A clear example of this is Dame Julia Hoggett, the first openly CEO of the London Stock Exchange and the cover star of the magazine’s European edition. wealth magazine, which says:

“If you have the privilege of being a senior leader, then you have to use that privilege to speak up for those who are less able or feel less able to do so.”

Read more:

Fortune LGBTQ+ Leaders
Top 10 to watch in the coming years
How the two gay CEOs of Paramount Global are blazing a trail and helping the next generation
Ken Ohashi: From Bankruptcy to Billion Dollar Boom at Brooks Brothers
Trans+ employees aren’t the only ones bearing the brunt of bigotry—it costs employers, too
CEO Randstad: Going out to work was crucial to my career, but I was lucky