November 5th saw hundreds of LGBTQ people and our supporters descend on London’s Victoria and Albert Museum for the fourth annual Stonewall Awards. Attendees ranged from sport stars to singers to actors, all of whom where there to applaud those who have made positive contributions to the lives of gay people in Britain.

The event was hosted by the gorgeous Gok Wan and the winners mainly chosen by a panel of judges which included retired basketball player John Amaechi and TVs Sue Perkins. Some winners were, however, chosen by over 6,ooo Stonewall supporters and I think that added a real community feel to the evening. The roll call of winner was:

• Hero of the Year – chosen by Stonewall thousands of supporters – Reverend Scott Rennie. The Church of Scotland’s first openly gay minister was inducted in July in the face of shrill opposition from some quarters yet backed by his own Aberdeen congregation.
• Broadcast of the Year – Corrective Rape in South Africa. Samira Ahmed’s special report from Johannesburg focused on a horrific phenomenon emerging in South Africa – the targeting of lesbians for ‘corrective rape’. The judges singled out the report as a ‘shocking piece of television, which cast a light on discrimination suffered by lesbians, all too often overlooked in the media.’
• Entertainer of the Year – Boyzone. The Judges noted the huge influence that boy bands have on young people in particular. Stephen Gateley’s brave decision to come out was an important step and the band made pop history with their video featuring a same-sex couple a year ago.
• Journalist of the Year – Johann Hari and Joan Bakewell. The judges described Joan Bakewell as ‘an institution, who has supported us for decades.’ Johann Hari was described as ‘a force to be reckoned with. He’s quickly established himself as a leading commentator.’
• Politician of the Year – Ben Bradshaw MP. The first person ever elected as an openly-gay politician to reach Cabinet rank, Ben Bradshaw won and held on to his parliamentary seat in the face of strong homophobic opposition.
• Publication of the Year – g3. The leading free magazine for gay and bisexual women g3 this year celebrated its 100th issue.

• Stonewall Sports Award – Michael Hill. This year saw Michael achieve a season best of sixth place in the British 125cc Motor biking Championship.
• Writer of the Year – Sarah Waters. For her fifth novel, The Little Stranger, which impressed fans and critics and was short-listed for the 2009 Man Booker prize.
• Stonewall & Barclays Community Group of the Year – Allsorts youth project, based in Brighton. Winner of a £5,000 cheque presented at the ceremony.
• Bigot of the Year – Father John Owen (voted by thousands of Stonewall supporters) and Jan Moir. Father John Owen claimed on BBC One’s The Big Questions that the majority of child abuse was carried out by gay men. Jan Moir became a late entrant to the award, following unprecedented requests from Stonewall supporters prompted by her Daily Mail piece on the death of Stephen Gately.

It’s great to see those who have achieved so much rewarded, not to mention the “Bigot of the Year” award which highlights those people who seem to think it is alright to spread ignorance. I think this award is a wonderful idea and the recipients deserving of the accolade.