Sarah Kate Ellis leads LGBTQ+ equality efforts, showing no signs of being transgender.
There’s no evidence that Sarah Kate Ellis is transgender. Her legacy is one of leadership and commitment to equality. As GLAAD‘s President and CEO since January 2014, she has championed the rights of the LGBT community, making strides in media representation and awareness.
Sarah Kate Ellis: Media Executive, Advocate, and Author
Sarah Kate Ellis, an American media executive and author, began her career after graduating from Russell Sage College in 1993. She played a key role in the relaunch of Condé Nast’s House & Garden. In January 2014, she became the President and CEO of GLAAD, a leading media advocacy organization for the LGBT community. Ellis’s journey reflects her diverse expertise in media and her impactful advocacy for LGBT rights.
At 52 years old in 2024, Sarah Kate Ellis, originally from Staten Island, attended Staten Island Academy. Raised by parents Barbara and Ken Ellis alongside her older brother, Spencer, she was actively involved in sports during her youth, excelling in field hockey and Junior Olympic swimming.
While at Russell Sage College, she stood against the closure of the women’s center, leading a media campaign. In her senior year, Ellis openly embraced her identity as a lesbian. In 2011, she participated in the Tuck Executive Education program at Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, successfully completing it in 2012.
Sarah Kate Ellis began her media career in 1995 at Condé Nast, contributing to House and Garden. She progressed to senior management at New York magazine and later directed In Style. After leaving a mark at In Style, she transformed Real Simple, leading to her role at Vogue, overseeing 10 lifestyle group brands.
A marketing specialist, Ellis showcased leadership in her corporate roles. Concurrently, since 1992, she actively participated in marches advocating for women’s and LGBT rights.
In 2014, Ellis took on the crucial position of President and CEO at GLAAD, spearheading impactful campaigns, including protesting the exclusion of lesbian and gay participants in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Drawing attention to her Irish-American heritage and sexual orientation, she urged an end to the parade’s ban through a New York Daily News article.
In 2011, Sarah Kate Ellis co-authored the memoir “Times Two: Two Women in Love and the Happy Family They Made” with her spouse, Kristen Ellis-Henderson. Published by Simon & Schuster, the deeply personal account explores the intricacies of their relationship, detailing the challenges and joys of creating a family together.
The memoir, recounting simultaneous pregnancies and shared experiences, not only made a literary impact but also featured in TIME Magazine and The Huffington Post’s documentary web series. The couple’s journey stands as a testament to their advocacy for LGBTQ+ visibility and recognition. Kristen Ellis-Henderson, besides being Ellis’s life partner, plays a vital role in their shared commitment to family and social progress.
