Velvetpark's Official Top 25 Most Significant Queer Women of 2009

14) The Class President - Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland

Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir became Iceland's' first female Prime Minister, not to mention the world's first out Head of State after her predecessor stepped down this past year. The 66-year-old Jóhanna and her left wing coalition government inherited a bankrupt country. Iceland's banking system collapsed in 2008, wiping out life savings and leaving the country in debt to banks in the European Union. Jóhanna, much like our own President, has been working to rebuild her country's economy, with the goal of bringing Iceland into the EU in 2010.

15) The Tireless Champion - Kate Kendell, Gay Rights Legal Council/Activist

Kate Kendell grew up gay and Mormon... in Utah. So then, it sort of makes sense that she was on the team leading the charge against Mormon-backed Proposition 8 to overturn gay marriage in California. Having served early in her career as the ACLU's first staff attorney in Utah, she made her way to the National Center for Lesbian Rights in 1994, eventually becoming the group's executive director in 1996. And every day she's out there fighting the good fight for LGBT equality.

16) The Tale-Spinners - Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius, Screenwriters/Showrunners for Nurse Jackie

It's the best show you're not watching. And its creators are out lezzies! Season one of Showtime's Nurse Jackie was replete with ballsy storylines, strong female characters, and a heaping helping of queer inclusion. And as if that weren't enough to make us love co-creators and showrunners Linda Wallem and Liz Brixius, (spoiler alert!) they've promised us a gay love triangle as a major storyline for the upcoming second season! We're hoping like hell at least two of the three corners of that triangle are occupied by upcoming guest star Julia Ormond and the hot, HOT Dr. O'Hara!

17) The Dark Horse Candidate - Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston

Annise Parker broke the pink ceiling this fall by being elected the mayor of Houston, the country's fourth most populous state. After serving on the Houston City Council from 1997 to 2003, Parker was elected City Controller for three consecutive terms. When she takes office next month, she will make Houston the largest U.S. city to have an openly gay mayor.

18) Ally of the Year - Diane Savino, NY State Senator

Diane Savino represents parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island in the New York State Senate and while she's not a lesbian, she earned her spot here as one of our besties. On December 2, as the issue of marriage equality stood before the State Senate, impassioned arguments were being made on both sides of the issue. People watching the proceedings were deeply moved by Savino's floor speech... well, except for the 38 douchebags who voted against the bill.