The 23 most powerful LGBT executives in the world in 2015

2015 has been an incredible year for the progression inlesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights across the globe.The US Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriage is all 50 states of America in June this year while Caitlyn Jenner gave more prominence to the LGBT community with her reveal.And in the business world,OUTstanding, the LGBTnetworking group, unveiled the most powerful LGBT executives in the world.OUTstanding lists 100 people who it thinks challenges the presumption that you can't be openly LGBT and be successful in business. In conjunction with the Financial Times, it makes the list each year."Those featured are an inspiration to anyone who fears that they may have to be closeted at work, and waste valuable effort muting their authentic selves," saidSuki Sandhu, chief executive of OUTstanding.However, notably Apple's CEO Tim Cook was missing. OUTstanding said that it was forced to omit him because it was unable to gain permission for him to be included in the list.23. Brian Bickell, Chief Executive of Shaftesbury.Bickell heads the FTSE 350 Real Estate Investment Trust and is also aboard member of Freeholdthe LGBT group for real estate professionals. He is a member of Property Weeks OpenPlan diversity panel and an ambassador for gay charity Stonewall.22. Andrew Swaffield, CEO of the Monarch Airlines Group.Swaffield was given the accolade for being in charge of one of the major business success stories of the past year as well as talking openly about his sexuality. He restructured Monarch, which is projected to turn around a profit of 100 million ($155 million) this year from a 94 million ($146 million) loss previously.21. David Furnish, CEO of Rocket Entertainment Group.Furnish gained a lot of power after becoming legendary musician Elton John's partner, and he used his influence and his position at Rocket Entertainment Group to champion LGBT rights in a number of ways. This included pushing for marriage equality. Furnish and John became one of the first gay couples in Britain to get a civil partnership.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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