The Same Same 25 is an annual celebration of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians.
About The Same Same 25 The Same Same 25 is an annual celebration of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians. They are publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. For the past two years, the announcement of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians has attracted widespread national media attention and focused on the achievements and influence of a varied and inspirational group of people.
The Judges - The Same Same 25 judges are drawn from a wide cross-section of the community, representing a broad field of influence and experience in their chosen professions. Andrew Creagh (Editor, DNA Magazine), Cec Busby (Editor, LOTL Magazine), Rachel Cook (Editor, Cherrie Magazine), Christian Taylor (Editor, SameSame.com.au), David Wilkins (ACON), Kevin Golding (Business Analyst), Peter Walton (Publisher, Evolution), Libby Clark (Co-founder, Sound Alliance), Tim Duggan (Co-founder, SameSame.com.au)
The Process - The Same Same 25 is publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. Anyone in Australia can nominate someone for the Same Same 25.

Sam Sparro

Singer

Sydney born Sam Sparro burst onto the music scene this year with his self-titled debut album. Nominated for a Grammy and five ARIAs, this performer, songwriter and producer has never shied away from his sexuality and has gone on to become a shining light in the music world, being a great model for people just by living his life.

“It's very flattering to be considered a role model,” says Sparro. “It’s not something that I take lightly. I'm not perfect - I'm just a person and make all sorts of mistakes. But, I think everybody just wants someone that they can relate to and look up too. If I can inspire others to be proud of themselves and go for what they want, then I'm very grateful for that.”

Sam believes that it’s important that when it comes to his public persona, it’s important that he is himself. “That in itself is political. And I don’t just mean being gay, but I’m honest as I can be. I say what I think at the time. My big mouth gets me into trouble so much! It has all my life,” he laughs.

Does he consider himself influential? “I'm sure that I am in some context. I see people dressing like me at my shows and hear other artists covering my music. I'm not as influential as I'd like to be yet!” Sparro says that he wishes he could do more with this influence, “like tip the scales on things like Prop 8!”

So who are his role models? “I was completely obsessed with Björk as a teenager - she was just so bold and seemed oblivious to any rules, which I really looked up to. I've always looked up to Stevie Wonder too - as an exceptional artist but also as someone who overcame obstacles, and wasn’t a victim of circumstance. I'm trying to think if I had any gay role models growing up… Unfortunately, I don't think I really had any.”

Sparro describes his own coming out experience as both rewarding and a relief. “I always felt like I had a dark secret that someone was going to find out and expose. It was a horrible feeling that held me back for a long time. As soon as I came out to my family I felt liberated and much happier. I've also become a lot closer with my family in the years since. I know a lot of kids have a much worse time with it than I did - which is a shame. But there's lots of love out there in the world - sometimes you just have to go out and find it.”

By Christian Taylor