TRISTAN SCHUKRAFT
@tschukraft
Following in the footsteps of Virgin mogul (and role model) Richard Branson, Tristan Schukraft is known as the “CEO of Everything Gay” for good reason. This year alone, the business mogul bought The Abbey, the iconic gay bar in West Hollywood; Puerto Rico’s Circo nightclub; and a 75 percent stake in the Fire Island Pines Resort commercial district. He also launched Tryst Hotels, with properties set to open in San Juan, Puerto Vallarta, and the Pines.
Additionally, Schukraft is the CEO of MISTR, a PrEP telemedicine company that recently surpassed 350,000 patients. It’s this milestone that his been his proudest 2024 accomplishment. “I’m motivated not so much about building businesses. While that’s fun, it’s about…eliminating HIV, preserving the gay community. That’s what gets me up in the morning — every morning, because I work seven days a week.”
Schukraft urges LGBTQ+ folks to realize the power of the pink dollar. “Support those gay businesses, those gay bars because even though it doesn’t seem like you’re doing anything of major significance [by spending money there], you really are.” —D.R.
JONATHAN GROFF
From Spring Awakening to Hamilton, Jonathan Groff has had many game-changing Broadway roles. This year, the gay actor finally won a Tony for playing Frank in Merrily We Roll Along, a onetime flop from Stephen Sondheim that found critical acclaim in its revival four decades later.
Groff compared leading to being part of “a moment-to-moment obstacle course” for eight shows a week: “I tried to take everything one step at a time, lead with love and gratitude, and find the hilarity and joy in playing dress-up for a living.” The work paid off, and his 2024 highlight was “helping to shine a light on the brilliance and humanity of a piece that had been written off as
