Out 100: Larry Kramer, Jason Collins, Dan Bucatinsky and Shane Bitney Crone among those on list

Out Magazine began to unveil its top 100 list earlier today and will continue to do so over the next two weeks.

Here are the first 13 honorees with excerpts from what is written in the magazine about them:

Larry Kramer – It would be tough to find a more poignant image of LGBT achievement this year than Larry Kramer ascending the Emmy stage to the tune of a standing ovation.

The protracted journey from stage to screen of Kramer’s groundbreaking play, The Normal Heart, is a vindication for his uncompromising posture as a founding member of both the Gay Men’s Health Crisis and ACT UP. That The Normal Heart is now considered a standard text for understanding the epidemic’s impact is a testament to Kramer’s ceaseless fight for people with HIV/AIDS.

At 79, he is not yet finished: His lifework, The American People, a novel that he began writing in 1978, is scheduled for release next year, coinciding with a two-hour documentary on his life and work to air on HBO.

On the documentary Kramer jokes: “It’s going to be called Larry Kramer, Get Out of Town. It’s quite good, even if it is all about me.”

Jason Collins: In February, Collins made history in his season debut with the Brooklyn Nets, becoming the first openly gay athlete in America’s four major pro leagues to play in a game.

“The fans’ support was something I’ll never forget,” he says.

After it emerged that his childhood idol, astronaut Sally Ride, was a lesbian he noted: “I know I would have truly appreciated a hero demonstrating that you can reach the stars and publicly have your authentic life, too.”

Billy Eichner: The comedian and game-show host’s star is on the rise as he continues his unorthodox polling of public pop culture opinion. On meeting President Obama and the First Lady he says: “Contrary to popular opinion I was actually invited, and not the crazy guy who jumped over the fence.”

Derrick Gordon: The college basketball player came out this year, inspiring a new generation of athletes. About his coming out he says: “When Michael Sam and Jason Collins came out, it had a huge effect on me, especially Collins, since he plays basketball as well. Both of them are like my big brothers. I wanted to come out the next day.”

Carmen Carrera: The former Drag Race contestant is now a fashion muse and determined to be a role model for other trans women. The generational wisdom of her drag grandmother, Carmen Xtravaganza, keeps her grounded, she says, helping her express her feelings as a woman.

Bianca Del Rio: The champ of season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, famous for offensive quips, has learned from comedy legends like Joan Rivers. On her identification with the Bride of Frankenstein Del Rio quips, “She’s a man-made woman! That’s what I do on a daily basis.”

Shane Bitney Crone: After losing the man he loved in a tragic accident, the filmmaker shared his story and has become an LGBT activist for equal rights. Of his journey Crone says, “It’s all inspired me to stand up and use my voice.”

Dan Bucatinsky: Bucatinsky scored an Emmy last fall for his role on Scandal and recently landed the part of a gay dad to Casey Wilson on Marry Me. But his major coup in 2014 was reviving The Comeback, a faux reality series he produced with Lisa Kudrow and calls “a hugely personal passion project.”

Angel Haze: One of hip-hop’s most promising young artists continues to question the powers that be. Of her amazing year she says, “The year has been remarkable because I have been finding myself. It feels good.”

Troye Sivan: The YouTube star has translated his fame into pop music and acting, and he continues to influence youth around the globe. Now, with more than 2.8 million subscribers, his channel is the second most popular in Australia.

Ariel Schrag: The comic artist and writer crafted a fascinating portrait of lesbian & trans New York City with her novel, Adam. On writing the novel Schrag says, “It was fun to write about my scene through the eyes of an outsider. I got to step back and think, I wonder how this L Word viewing party would look to somebody just stepping in?”

Laura Jane Grace: The lead singer of Against Me! is the most visible trans person in music. Speaking to her bold lyrics Grace says, “I’m a rocker, and rock’n’roll has a long history of smashing gender roles and pushing the cultural limits. That’s what I want to represent.”

To read the complete articles and see all of the photos of the honorees, go to Out.com.