When Out Magazine released its prestigious Out100 annual list of LGBTQ+ changemakers last week, five LGBTQ+ Ohioans made the cut.
The list included drag reality star Onya Nurve, Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, “Hacks” breakout star Megan Stalter, pop-string quartet founder Chris Marchant and Second Lieutenant Nicolas Talbott, the lead-plaintiff suing the Trump administration for the rights of trans Americans to serve in the military.
First introduced in 2004, the Out100 list honors LGBTQ+ individuals who are influencing culture in everything from arts to education to public service.
This year’s theme for the Out100 list: “Bolder, Brighter!”
Daniel Reynolds, editor-in-chief of Out, said the choice of the upbeat theme was an intentional rebuke of the “staggering setbacks” the LGBTQ+ community has faced in 2025.
“Throughout time, LGBTQ+ people have faced prejudice and hatred and responded with perseverance and joy, light and fight,” Reynolds wrote in an editor’s letter accompanying the list. “In some ways, we have been preparing our whole lives for this moment.”
Hometown queen
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Onya Nurve, a native of Canton, was honored in the “Artists” category. Only the second Northeast Ohio drag performer to compete on “Drag Race” – Akashia was the first, on Season 1 in 2009 – Onya captured the hearts of viewers across the world on Season 17 with her creativity, authenticity and musical prowess.
In April, she took home the crown, becoming the first Ohio winner in the show’s history. Next up: the coveted role of Lola in the touring production of “Kinky Boots.”
For the Out100, she had a pointed message, especially to “young Black queers.”
“Dreams do come true,” Onya said. “As long as you keep working hard and believing in yourself, your dreams are bound to become reality. Just believe it.”
Designing excellence
Paul Tazewell was honored in the “Artists” category for his achievements in costume design. Earlier this year, the Akron-born Tazewell made history as the first out gay Black man to win the Oscar for Costume Design, recognition for his work in the movie “Wicked.” He also boasts two Tony awards, an Emmy, a BAFTA and two Costume Designers Guild awards.
Tazewell recently wrapped up a visit to Kent State University as part of the Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series. Select “Wicked” costumes designed by Tazewell are on display at the Kent State University Museum until November 9.
Despite the many accolades, Tazewell told Out that he still struggles with imposter syndrome but that his decades of experience and hard work have enabled him to embrace the “meaningful effect [his work] has had on audiences.”
Far from a hack
Sure, Megan Stalter lit up the screen in 2025 with her supporting role as the irrepressible Kayla on “Hacks” and her star turn as American-transplant-in-London Jessica in Lena Dunham’s “Too Much.”
But in our hearts, Stalter will always be the best representative the Butter Shop has to offer, a ridiculous – yet spot-on – spoof of Pride Month rainbow-washing that has racked up nearly 650K views on TikTok.
The bisexual comedian was born in Cleveland, graduated from Wayne High School north of Dayton, and attended both Sinclair Community College and Wright State University. She has previously credited her Ohio high school drama department as being the perfect place to nurture her status as “Queen Freak.”
For her place in the “Artists” category of the Out100, Stalter had pointed words for the LGBTQ+ community: “God and Jesus loves them, and anybody that wants to say otherwise is a freak of nature.”
Strings and sings
As the co-creator and founding member of Well-Strung, an all-male, all-gay, pop-crossover string quartet, Chris Marchant was recognized alongside his bandmates in the Out100 “Groundbreakers” category.
Marchant’s musical history traces back to his Canton/Akron upbringing and includes a music ministry degree from the staunchly conservative Malone College [now Malone University], a formative experience for the musical artist.
“I went to a really conservative, religious school in Ohio,” he previously told the New York Daily News. “I actually got a degree… like two-thirds music and one third Bible theology. It tracks you to be like a music leader in a church. It wasn’t really what I wanted to do, but I liked music and I liked ministry at the time.”
Merchant was also a contestant on the 30th season of “The Amazing Race.”
Well-Strung – who sing as well! – told Out that they are proud of “holding firm to who we are and what we represent in a time when the [Trump] administration seems intent on silencing voices at the margins.
”Fighting back
Akron resident Nicolas Talbott is no stranger to a fight. After spending close to a decade striving to enlist in the U.S. military, Second Lt.Talbott completed Army Officer Candidate School in January.
Only a few days later, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to ban transgender Americans from serving in the U.S. military.
The next day,, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia bearing Nicolas Talbot’s name.
Talbott v. Trump challenges the order on equal protection grounds and was filed on behalf of six active service members and two individuals actively seeking enlistment. The case is still pending.
Named to the “Groundbreakers” category of the Out100, Talbott said his fight is far from over.
“I’ll be continuing to challenge the current ban on transgender military service while remaining in my Army unit for as long as I can,” he says. “I’m also always exploring options to further my education and experiences and to just make the most I can out of life.” 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- View the entire Out100 list here.
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