Stonewall Awards nominees announced
September 4th, 2009
The fourth annual Stonewall Awards is set to take place on 5th November 2009 at the V&A in London.
Awards include ‘Hero of the Year’, celebrating those who have made a positive contribution to the lives of lesbian and gay people in Britain, and also ‘Bigot of the Year’.
Nominees for Hero of the Year include Carol Ann Duffy, Britain’s first female and openly gay poet laureate, Reverend Rennie, the Church of Scotland’s first openly gay minister and Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of THT and veteran campaigner.
Bigot of the Year nominations include BBC presenter DJ Spoony, Fred and Shirley Phelps and Doctor Sheila Matthews, who sat on an adoption panel and refused to consider same-sex couples as potential adopters.
The 2009 judging panel includes TV personality Sue Perkins - who won an award at the 2008 event - Angela Eagle MP, presenter Evan Davis, former basketball player John Amaechi and assistant editor of the Daily Telegraph Andrew Pierce.
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: “In Stonewall’s 20th anniversary year, we’ve had the opportunity to celebrate the heroes of the gay equality movement from the last two decades. Our Awards ceremony continues this recognition, but also shines a light on those who are making an important contribution to equality in Britain today – inspiring lesbian and gay people to lead fulfilling lives at home, at school and at work.”
Last year Bishop Gene Robinson was named Hero of the Year for his dignity and bravery as the church debate on homosexuality intensified, after being barred from the Lambeth conference.
Iris Robinson MP was voted Bigot of the Year after describing homosexuality as ‘disgusting’, ‘loathsome’ and ‘viler… than sexually abusing children.’
The 2008 Stonewall Awards were overshadowed by a protest of 150 people, angry that Julie Bindel had been nominated for ‘journalist of the year’ despite her anti-trans views.
Tickets for the 2009 Stonewall Awards ceremony at London’s V&A on Thursday November 5th are £150 + VAT. To book your ticket visit www.stonewall.org.uk/awards or contact bimla.safka@stonewall.org.uk / 020 7593 1875.
That is officially the cutest picture of Sue Perkins in existence. <3
Kaite ∼ September 4th, 2009 1:12 pm