An independent advertising supplement distributed in the Guardian on behalf of SPM Group Limited who take sole responsibility for its contents. CELEBRATING THE BEST OF BRITAIN Since its inception, the non-profit British The British LGBT Awards showcases public figures, businesses, and community. Find out who this year’s winners and Top 10s are, LGBT Awards has recognised and and why recognising them is important. championed the incredible work done by the individuals, allies and companies to homophobic comments at school, and musician Hayley Kiyoko; actress and political the various identities within the LGBT+ working towards LGBT+ equality. 60% in the safety of their own home. campaigner Cynthia Nixon; national treasure community. Celebrating these champions Stories from around the world show that Visibility is a fundamental agent of change Stephen Fry, gender-fluid drag performer and allies allows us to promote LGBT+ LGBT+ rights are still under attack: from when it comes to mainstream acceptance, Courtney Act and world-champion boxer causes, raise awareness about the issues Russia’s ‘propaganda’ law, to Kenya’s ban on and plays a crucial part in shaping people’s Nicola Adams OBE. that affect the community, recognise the the lesbian film,Rafiki , and the current rules opinions. From online media and television An expert panel of business leaders achievements that have been made and preventing transgender people from serving to the workplace, young LGBT+ people need invested in diversity judged the workplace increase the visibility of LGBT+ trailblazers in the US military, to name a few. to see themselves represented in order to entries, which relied on evidence. who inspire the next generation of young Although these incidents may seem far feel accepted and safe. The British LGBT Inclusive workplaces and leaders foster an people. from home, here in the UK it’s been reported Awards, with Founding Partner NatWest environment where everyone feels included, Role models like Hayley Kiyoko, Stephen that homophobic hate crimes have risen by and Headline Sponsor Clifford Chance, shine driving better staff and business outcomes. Fry and Courtney Act continue to change the 28%, according to 2018 figures released in a light on the positive stories that have Nominees in senior positions in industry narrative around what it means to identify as the Crown Prosecution’s Hate Crime Annual taken place in the LGBT+ community and include inspirational leaders such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, Report. That’s a shocking figure when you advance that representation. Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida and that couldn’t be more important for the consider the research from LGBT rights Our nominees and winners have been Dick CBE; Country Manager of LinkedIn millions of young people who look up to charity Stonewall which shows that four out progressing LGBT+ rights and visibility by Joshua Graff and Google’s VP of Client & them on a daily basis. of five hate crimes aren’t reported in the first breaking down barriers with their advocacy. Agency Solutions Pedro Pina. Companies place. There’s a wealth of role models to be found such as Channel 4, Spotify, Vodafone and It’s not surprising then, that the LGBT25 in the Top 10 shortlist, which is listed on the HSBC were also nominated for the strides Produced by BRITISH LGBT AWARDS survey of four thousand 16-25 year olds following pages. they’ve made. 37 IVOR PLACE conducted by the British LGBT Awards Over 140,000 people voted for the The British LGBT Awards’ 2019 Top 10 SPM LONDON NW1 6EA confirms that the next generation are still diverse and groundbreaking winners of this shortlist is the most diverse to date, and Group britishlgbtawards.com struggling to come out, with 82% exposed year’s Awards, including: ‘lesbian Jesus’ we’re proud of how well it represents 2 Promotional feature british lgbt AWARD WINNERS AND TOP 10s NATWEST LIFETIME SPORTS PERSONALITY MTV MUSIC ARTIST LGBT+ CELEBRITY ACHIEVEMENT WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: NICOLA ADAMS OBE HAYLEY KIYOKO CYNTHIA NIXON STEPHEN FRY #20gayteen was truly the year of ‘lesbian Jesus’ – the former Disney actor-turned- popstar, Hayley Kiyoko. The lesbian singer’s big break into music came with her video and single for Girls like Girls, which she wrote and co-directed. Next came Kiyoko’s debut album Expectations, which provided fans with an unrivalled and positive LGBT+ narrative, full of female pronouns and love songs about women, giving LBTQ+ women worldwide the role model they deserve. With MTV and Billboard awards already under her belt, this continuously positive and outspoken LGBT+ advocate is going nowhere but up, saying: “I’m humbled and appreciative to provide a voice for people who might not feel represented in the mainstream.” Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winner National treasure Stephen Fry has an Cynthia Nixon has been a consistent almost-lifetime-record of campaigning champion for LGBT+ rights by using her for LGBT+ rights and the eradication of platform to be vocal about a variety mental health stigma. From calling out Nicola Adams OBE is Great Britain’s most of issues including marriage equality, Russia’s anti-gay laws to creating and successful female boxer of all time. At the fighting stigma and prejudice, and the presenting a documentary exploring the London 2012 Olympic Games she became importance of LGBT+ visibility. She lives of LGBT+ people around the world, an icon after winning her country’s was recently recognised with the HRC Fry has never shied away from using his first ever female boxing Gold medal Visibility Award for being a fearless platforms to raise awareness for LGBT+ as an openly LGBT+ person, a feat advocate for LGBT+ equality. The former rights. she repeated in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro Sex And The City star has also proudly to become the first British boxer to supported her trans son Samuel (called TRAILBLAZER successfully defend their Olympic title for Seph) by posting an empowering public 92 years. Adams is openly bisexual, and message about his success on her social WINNER: was named the most influential LGBT+ media. As a recent candidate for New PAUL O’ GRADY person in Britain by The Independent in York governor, Nixon has never shied 2012. In recognition of her services to away from addressing her queerness, boxing and unprecedented achievements, forcing media outlets to reflect on the Nicola was appointed MBE in 2013 and language they use when talking about OBE in 2016. LGBT+ people. TOP 10S: TOP 10S: TOP 10S: • ADAM RIPPON - the first openly gay • BILLIE EILISH - the only straight- • AMANDLA STENBERG - the actor came American male figure skater to win a identifying nominee in the music category, out as bisexual in 2016 and recently medal at the Winter Olympics Eilish has a large LGBT+ following confirmed that she identifies as gay • GARETH THOMAS - the Welsh rugby • DEMI LOVATO - the worldwide pop star • CARA DELEVINGNE - the model- star became one of the first active came out as bisexual in 2017 turned-actress identifies as bisexual and athletes to be openly gay in 2009 • HALSEY - the Badlands singer gender fluid • GUS KENWORTHY - freestyle skier Gus advocates for bisexual representation • CYNTHIA NIXON - the award-winning Kenworthy kissed his boyfriend live on • HAYLEY KIYOKO - the former Disney actress has been married to a woman air during Winter Olympics coverage star came out through her single Girls since 2012 and has a transgender son • KEEGAN HIRST - in 2015 Keegan Hirst Like Girls in 2015 • EZRA MILLER - the Fantastic Beasts star became the first British rugby league • JADEN SMITH - the singer, songwriter identifies as queer and non-binary player to come out as gay and actor has been vocal in challenging • GILLIAN ANDERSON - the award- As an outspoken advocate of the LGBT+ • MARK FOSTER - the former Olympic typical gender roles winning actress first talked about being community, O’Grady has helped to swimmer Mark Foster came out in 2017 • JANELLE MONÁE - the singer and a bisexual woman in 2012 change the narrative around gay men • MEL REID - six time Ladies European actress confirmed that she’s pansexual • GOK WAN - the TV presenter has on British television. He rose to fame Tour champion came out as gay in 2018 and queer in 2018 always been vocal about LGBT+ rights with his brilliantly funny drag creation • NICOLA ADAMS OBE - the Olympic • KESHA - in 2010 the popstar and • JOHN BARROWMAN - the actor has and alter-ego, Lily Savage, using the Gold medalist has always been out #metoo advocate said she was neither always been openly gay chain-smoking blonde bombshell to • PARINYA CHAROENPHOL - the Thai gay nor straight, and preferred no label • LENA WAITHE - the inspirational bring LGBT+ rights to the British public. boxer, model and actress had gender • RITA ORA - the British singer came out actress is a proud, visible and vocal “gay Always outspoken, he took on hosting affirmation surgery at the age of 18 as bisexual in 2018 black female” duties at Blind Dates – the show formerly • TADD FUJIKAWA - the first male • TROYE SIVAN - the major pop artist has • RUBY ROSE - the model and actress presented by his best mate, the late professional golfer to publicly come out been openly gay throughout his whole identifies as gay and gender-fluid Cilla Black – and insisted that same-sex as gay music career • RYLAN CLARK-NEAL - the TV presenter couples were involved so as to bring the • ZACK LEADER - the British gravity bike • VINCINT - the American singer is vocal uses his celebrity to raise awareness for show into the 21st Century. champion came out as gay in 2018 about his identity as a black gay man LGBT+ issues Promotional feature 3 CLIFFORD CHANCE SIGNATURE LIVING LGBT+ ONLINE METRO CHANGE CELEBRITY ALLY LGBT+ MEDIA INFLUENCER MAKERS MOMENT WINNER: WINNER: WINNER: ELLIE GOULDING WINNER: CALLE Y POCHÉ LITTLE MIX COURTNEY ACT WINS Ellie Goulding has a long history of CHANNEL 5’S CBB Colombian content creators Daniela supporting LGBT+ rights.