Rosie O'Donnell tops "Most Powerful Gay Women in Show Business" list

The Professional Organization of Women in Entertainment Reaching Up has released its annual "Top 10 Most Powerful Gay Women in Show Business" list for 2002, and newly out soon-to-be-retired talk show host Rosie O'Donnell topped the list. Last year's most powerful gay woman, Ellen DeGeneres, came in at number 2. "I've just found out I've been named the number 2 most powerful lesbian in show business," said DeGeneres in a POWER UP release. "Does this mean I'm runner-up? If so, I am prepared to step in and take care of any Most Powerful Lesbian in Show Business duties should photos surface of Rosie in compromising positions with a man." Besides O'Donnell, the other newcomer to this year's list is Capitol Hill lobbyist and Rock the Vote founding member Hilary Rosen of the Recording Industry Association of America.

Here is the complete POWER UP list of the Top 10 Most Powerful Gay Women in Show Business, 2002:

1. Rosie O'Donnell
2. Ellen DeGeneres
3. Melissa Etheridge
4. Nina Jacobson
5. k.d. lang
6. Jane Anderson
7. Hilary Rosen
8. Lee Rose
9. Jan Oxenberg
10. Lily Tomlin