Forty Under 40: Entertainment

Sia heads up an impressive list of out entertainers that includes Eric Himan, Jamie Lauren, Del Marquis, Chris Ryan, and John Krokidas.

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Sia | Musician | 33 | New York City

Sia Furler is lounging in her downtown Manhattan loft, rattling off a few of her favorite things. "Bongs shaped like fairies, tie-dye jumpers, unicorns, dream catchers-all things you can buy in a truck stop," says the Australian singer-songwriter, unleashing an infectious cackle that belies her honeyed, often pained vocals.

Surely, Furler's most cherished curio is her androgynous lover, fellow musician and former Le Tigre member JD Samson. Her romance with Samson surfaced at the beginning of 2008, around the time Furler released her fourth and best-selling album, Some People Have Real Problems , when she told British gay magazine Attitude she was seeing an American woman. "I don't really call myself gay or bisexual-I call myself 'friendly,'È‚f;" she says, laughing again before she explains that Samson is her "boyfriend," but Furler still refers to her as she. "It's just what we do. If I'm the princess, JD is the prince. If I'm the witch, she's the warlock. If we have kids, she'll be Poppy and I'll be Mommy."

The couple discussed having children and recently collaborated on "I'm Raising You to Be Average," an ode to their future offspring that Furler hopes to feature in a musical she is penning with jazz musician Larry Golding. Meanwhile, she is already polishing up her fifth full-length album (working title: Face Paint ) and has completed four songs with Christina Aguilera for the diva's next release, a step in the right direction for Furler, considering her recent realization that she prefers life outside the limelight. "I'm living the dream of a 10-year-old, and I'm not 10 anymore," she says. "My new dream is to get a house in the country, have babies, and play Scrabble constantly-while occasionally flying out to Los Angeles to write pop songs for stars, of course."

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Profiles by: Matthew Breen, Neal Broverman, Shannon Connolly, Kerry Eleveld, Michelle Garcia, Jordan Hruska, John Jameson, Sean Kennedy, Jason Lamphier, Justin Ravitz, Trudy Ring, Chris Rovzar, Corey Scholibo, Joshua David Stein, and Ross von Metzke

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Name: Ant wong
Date posted: 6/23/2009 3:29:00 PM
Hometown: Hong Kong

Comment:
support!
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Name: Matt M.
Date posted: 5/11/2009 1:16:00 PM
Hometown: Cambridge, MA

Comment:
Chris Ryan is not only one of the most well-known and nicest gays in America, he's also a LEADER and not a follower. He has a knack for "getting it" and he really does GET IT. I wish there were more guys like him, I want one, ha-ha.
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Name: Ken
Date posted: 5/9/2009 10:58:00 PM
Hometown: Palo Alto

Comment:
He is simply amazing, there are not words for this guy, you just have to get the chance to meet him, I'm lucky to have.
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Name: Nandoism
Date posted: 5/9/2009 6:21:00 PM
Hometown: Brooklyn

Comment:
What makes Chris a great guy is that he's willing to share the "love" with everyone he meets. You don't have to be a "big star" to have Chris treat you like royalty. I'm lucky to know him and blog for him.
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Name: PJ
Date posted: 5/7/2009 6:05:00 PM
Hometown: brooklyn

Comment:
Chris Ryan is a breath of fresh air. I believe he really really "gets it" he understands what it was like in the past for our community and he tries to find ways to make it easier for the up and coming gay kids and he is so nice (that is also amazing). He provides safe, fun, and new arenas for young LGBT people to express themselves. He deserves the acclaim and I wish him the best to success come. Keep up the good work Chris!!! Best PJ aka Anija
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Name: Ant Man
Date posted: 5/7/2009 1:21:00 AM
Hometown: New York City

Comment:
Chris is an amazing person and a very dear friend of mine. I am so happy to know him the last 9 years now and am proud he made it onto this list. To be around him and the work he does is great. Cheers boy !!
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Name: Cathy
Date posted: 5/6/2009 3:37:00 PM
Hometown: Illinois

Comment:
If you get the chance to see him perform with the Adams do so. They aim to please and they really do!

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