2012 Out100 Covers: Andrew Rannells, Sharon Needles, Boy George, and Jane Lynch

Out magazine's 18th annual Out100 portfolio captures this year's most entertaining, heroic, and intriguing figures, from all walks of life — including chefs, Obama staffers, a legendary painter, emerging musicians, and even a professional poker player. These four collectible covers of Andrew Rannells, Sharon Needles, Boy George, and Jane Lynch for the 2012 Out100 are no less inspiring. See them now, and be sure to visit the Out100 2012 hub page for a complete list of this year's honorees.

“Nothing lasts forever,” says Needles. “Drag Race isn’t just a competition I took part in, it’s also my favorite television show of all time, so I’m looking forward to sitting in my easy chair and watching the tears, the fashion, and the cat fights.”

Read the full story: Sharon Needles

SLIDESHOW: See the full Out100 portfolio

Read: "The Devil and Miss Needles" (Aug. 2012)

"What I’ve realized is that the world hasn’t changed," says Boy George, "there are still lots of places where people are having a really, really hard time because of their sexuality, and I think one of the most important things I can do is be a self-respecting gay public figure.”

Read the full story: Boy George

SLIDESHOW: See the full Out100 portfolio

“The difference between people like me and Amy Poehler and Tina Fey [is] there’s kind of an entitlement that they have to their right to have a seat at the table,” Lynch says. “They’re out there saying, ‘This is what I do, and this is why it’s funny. And if you don’t like it, you don’t like it.’ But it looks like everybody likes it.”

Read the full story: Jane Lynch

SLIDESHOW: See the full Out100 portfolio