Health secretary Wes Streeting has made the top five of The Independent Pride List 2025.

The publisher’s list of influential queer figures, which has been released annually since 2000 under various names, recognises 50 of “the most influential LGBT+ changemakers of the past year” and was previously topped in 2024 by Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa.

Streeting, who has on more than one occasion reiterated his belief that trans women are not women, is fifth on the list of “inspirational trailblazers” and “LGBTQ+ heroes”.

The gay Labour minister, 42, placed ahead of artist David Hockney, comedian Joe Lycett, Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley, asexual activist Yasmin Benoit, and late RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne, who all featured in the top 10.

Streeting has come under fire during his first year as health secretary for his role in the Labour government’s attacks on trans healthcare, which include extending the Conservative government’s temporary ban on puberty blockers for trans youth indefinitely, and considering a ban on the sale of private hormone prescriptions for trans youth.

In April, Streeting said he was “genuinely sorry” for the “fear and anxiety” caused by his indefinite ban on puberty blockers for trans youth. Meanwhile, new figures indicate waiting lists for gender-affirming healthcare in England increased by 12 per cent in the past year, despite promises to improve access to ‘holistic’ care for young trans people in the wake of the Cass Review.

The top spot on The Independent Pride List 2025 went to lawyer and former judge Victoria McCloud, who announced in April that she is bringing legal action against the UK government following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the definition of a woman. 

McCloud, 55, was the youngest ever person and first trans person to be appointed the position of Master in the High Court in 2006, before becoming a judge in 2010. She retired from the bench in 2024.

McCloud said she was “delighted” “delight” to be included in the list during “uniquely dark times” for the trans community.

“We have been here for centuries; we will be here for centuries to come”, she said in a statement. “The quiet majority walk with us.”

The Independent Pride List 2025’s top five was rounded out by author Juno Dawson, The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey, and Wicked‘s Cynthia Erivo.

Chloe Hubbard, UK Editor of The Independent, said the publisher was “proud to champion our most influential LGBT+ changemakers once again,” adding that the list is especially important as “the community has been further marginalised on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The Independent Pride List 2025 can be viewed in full here.

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