Shortlisted Finalists 2026

Media Moment Award

Celebrating a powerful LGBTQIA+ moment in the media which sparked conversations, captured public attention and provided vital representation and visibility.

EastEnders - Suki and Eve's adoption story
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! - Alex Scott MBE
Mighty Hoopla Festival 2025 - Kesha and the TRANS VOICES
The Traitors - Amanda Collier
What It Feels Like For A Girl - BBC coming-of-age drama series
Women's Rugby World Cup Final 2025 - England's victory against Canada

Icon Award

Honouring a trailblazing figure whose influence, pioneering work and tireless dedication has helped inspire generations within the LGBTQIA+ community

Cat Burns - Singer-songwriter
Heather Peace - Actor, singer and LGBTQIA actvist
jane fae - Journalist, author and trans rights campaigner
Miriam Margolyes - Actor and writer
Rita Hirani & DJ Ritu - Co-Founders of Club Kali
Tabs Benjamin - Founder of Butch, Please!

Sport Award

Recognising an athlete, team, or sporting organisation that champions inclusion, LGBTQIA+ representation and equality in sport.

Amanda Wah - Gladiators contender and personal trainer
Cindy Ngamba - Boxer
Football v Homophobia - Tackling anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in football
Kerstin Casparij - Footballer
Lionesses - England Women's National Football Team
Red Roses - England Women's National Rugby Union Team

Changemaker Award (Activist/Volunteer)

Awarded to an individual whose activism or voluntary work is driving meaningful, grassroots change for LGBTQIA+ people.

Claire Harvey MBE - Founder of Not In Our Name (NION)
Dee Whitnell - Founder of Trans Kids Deserve To Grow Up
Laïla El-Métoui - Founder & CEO of LEM Education
Marty Davies - Founder of Trans+ History Week
Olivia Campbell-Cavendish - Founder & CEO of Trans Legal Clinic
Yasmin Benoit - Asexual campigner

Creator Award (Influencer/Content Creator)

Recognising a digital creator who uses their platform to empower, educate and inspire the LGBTQIA+ community.

Amy Spalding - Television personality and entrepreneur
GK Barry - Podcast host and television presenter
CurvyBlackWitch (Janae Owyn) - CurvyBlackWitch, model and content creator
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard - YouTuber, author, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and disability representation
Megan Jayne Crabbe - Body-positive influencer, writer, speaker & presenter
Oscar Davies - Non-binary barrister

Community Initiative Award

Awarded to an outstanding project or organisation delivering support, resources and a lifeline for LGBTQIA+ communities.

Biscuit - Bi+ advocacy group supporting and empowering the bi+ community
Black Queers Connect - Empowering UK Black LGBTQ+ Adults
Glitter Cymru - Support group for LGBTQ+ people of colour in South Wales
London Dyke Market - Community market celebrating lesbian, queer, trans, and non-binary makers
London Trans+ Pride - Trans-led march and Pride event
Trans is Human - Multi-media project that celebrates and elevates trans+ people

Diversity Champion Award (Corporate Individual)

Honouring a corporate leader or professional who is actively driving inclusion, equity and belonging in the workplace.

Adelle Barker - Sky UK Ltd
Carla Ecola - The Outside Project
Dame Julia Hoggett - London Stock Exchange
Ella Slade - Vodafone Three
Tolu Osinubi - Deloitte
Zan Kaufman - Bleecker

Ally Award

Celebrating an ally who consistently uses their voice, influence and actions to support and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community.

Alison King - Actor
Balvinder Sopal - Actor
David Tennant - Actor
Jolyon Maugham - Barrister
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Singer-songwriter
Suranne Jones - Actor

Writer Award (Journalists & Authors)

Honouring a writer whose work amplifies LGBTQIA+ stories, voices, and perspectives through journalism, fiction or non-fiction.

Ellen Jones - Writer, speaker and advocate
Hafsa Qureshi - Writer, speaker and activist
Isabella Dorta - Spoken word poet and author
Joelle Taylor - Poet, playwright and novelist
Paula Akpan - Historian, journalist and author
Travis Alabanza - Writer, performer and theatre maker

Inspirational Role Model Award

Recognising an LGBTQIA+ trailblazer who inspires others through their visibility, resilience, leadership and positive impact.

Dani St James - Not A Phase
Lynne Nicholls - Diverse Matters
Mzz Kimberley - Singer and performer
Polly Shute - Out and Wild Festival
Rebecca Paisis - Pride in London
Sally Carr MBE - Youth Alliance Greater Manchester (YAGM)

Innovation Award

Awarded to a person, product or organisation using technology to improve LGBTQIA+ lives through creativity and accessibility.

Erica Rose - TalentMapper
Luciana Cousin - bobu
OutSavvy - LGBTQIA+ inclusive ticketing platform
PrideMantra - LGBTQIA+ community online therapy platform
Voda - LGBTQIA+ mental wellbeing app
Zoteria - LGBTQIA+ community safety and safe spaces app

LGBTQA+ Network Champion Award

Celebrating an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to building, supporting and strengthening an LGBTQIA+ employee network.

Alessia Cavallini - Kantar
Bobbie Saxon - Diageo
Ema Nielson-Gee - EY
Mélissa Brette Ogée - Hyatt UK & Ireland
Sam Fresa - Entain
Tanya Agarwal - Wipro

LGBTQIA+ Network Award

Spectrum - Barclays

OUT & Allies Network - BlackRock

Pride Matters - Colt Technology Services

AllInforma Rainbow - Informa

Pride Network - Laing O'Rourke

Proud@Sainsbury's - Sainsbury's

Proud - Shoosmiths LLP

LGBTQ+ at Sky - Sky UK Ltd

LGBTQ+ Network - TSB Bank

#Proud2Be - Weightmans