The exhibition and book coincides with the fortieth anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York, a significant event in the history of gay rights, which will be commemorated internationally. Lavishly illustrated with photographic portraits of approximately eighty icons who, regardless of their sexuality, have had some direct positive influence on the selectors' own gay sensibilities, this stunning book represents a wide cross section of portraits from the worlds of entertainment, art, music, literature, fashion and politics.

The selectors include Waheed Alli, Alan Hollinghurst, Elton John, Jackie Kay, Billie Jean King, Ian McKellen, Chris Smith, Ben Summerskill, Sandi Toksvig, Sarah Waters. Portraits to be featured include icons such as Quentin Crisp, Ellen DeGeneres, Diana, Princess of Wales, Daphne Du Maurier, Tom Ford, Larry Grayson, Christopher Isherwood, k. d. lang, Joe Orton, Lily Savage, Village People, Oscar Wilde, Will Young, David Hockney, Vita Sackville-West, Simeon Solomon, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Kenneth Williams, as well as some more surprising additions such as Lord Tennyson.

The Gallery is also delighted to showcase ten specially commissioned portraits of the selectors by renowned photographer Mary McCartney. These stunning images are included in the exhibition itself, as well as the book, and will provide a lasting addition to the Gallery's permanent collection.

With an introduction by Sandi Toksvig and text by the cultural specialist and academic Richard Dyer, this publication also features mini texts by each of the selectors, explaining the reasons behind their choice of icon. Fully illustrated, and including all the images from the exhibition, this is an essential title for anyone interested in the selectors and those icons that have inspired their achievements.

Published to accompany a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London, from July to October 2009.