SKY – LGBT+ CELEBRITY
LADY GAGA
Global superstar recording artist and actress, Lady Gaga has long been an icon to the LBGT+ community, as well as an active supporter of representation and inclusion. As a bisexual woman herself, Gaga has used her platform, such as at New York’s WorldPride celebration, to address bisexual exclusion and the need for the LGBT+ community to unify. Alongside her music career, Gaga is a highly successful actress, most recently starring in House of Gucci alongside Adam Driver.
LEVI’S – MEDIA MOMENT
JOHN AND JOHANNES ON STRICTLY COME DANCING
For the first time ever on Strictly there was a male same-sex couple on the show and Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite and his dancing partner Johannes Radebe dedicated their couples’ choice semi-final performance to what it was like growing up gay. Before the dance, a clip was shown of John remembering how his family found out he was gay and emotionally told the viewers it was actually a teacher who told them. John dedicated the emotional dance to those who are “a little bit afraid” and told them “it will get better.”
ONLINE INFLUENCER
JAIME RAINES / JAMMI DODGER
Jamie Raines first made his name through his YouTube videos, where he covers topics such as trans rights and mental health. Jamie has used his platform to discuss and document his gender transition, including his experience of hormone replacement therapy, and gender confirmation surgery. For his 800,00 YouTube subscribers, Jamie’s platform has provided a safe space to learn and explore the topic of gender identity, whilst also sharing more about his personal journey.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON – CHARITY OR COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
LGBT FOUNDATION
The LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities. With a history dating back to 1975, they campaign for a fair and equal society where all LGBT+ people can achieve their full potential. Through their services they reduce isolation amongst communities, help people feel more confident and in control of their lives and enable them to flourish. Together with LGBT+ communities and their supporters, the LGBT Foundation are working to secure a safe, healthy and equal future for all LGBT+ people.
MTV – MUSIC ARTIST
STEPS
The one and only Steps first made their name in the 1990s and have released seven studio albums and 27 singles of sharp dance-pop, with many early performances at Soho’s famed LGBT+ nightclub G-A-Y. The group took an extended break in 2001, then delighted fans by reforming 16 years later, releasing a wave of new music and going on their What the Future Holds Pt. 2 tour. Member Ian ‘H’ Watkins opened up about his sexuality in 2007 but emphasised the support he had received from fellow band members, stating in a PinkNews interview that, “I felt massive pressure to keep my sexuality a secret but I was not alone.” Now the group have become not only British pop culture legends, but true advocates for the LGBT+ community.
BROADCASTER, JOURNALIST OR HOST
RYLAN CLARK
While Clark first made a name for himself on The X Factor, nobody can deny that the presenter has shot to another level of fame. As a familiar face across British TV, Clark is an LGBT+ and mental health advocate, sharing his own journey with his audience. In fact, in 2020, he was the sole host of the British LGBT Awards, bringing some much-needed joy to us during the pandemic.
CELEBRITY ALLY
ALICIA KEYS
As a longstanding ally to the LGBT+ community, Alicia Keys has used her platform to address her hope for better freedom of expression for future generations. As early as 2003, she has been involved in AIDS activism, cofounding the charity Keep a Child Alive. In 2019, Alicia delivered an inspiring speech at Pride Live’s Stonewall Day Concert, where she was also a surprise performer.
BRAND OR MARKETING CAMPAIGN
LEGO – ‘EVERYONE IS AWESOME’
LEGO® Everyone is Awesome was designed to celebrate the diversity of our fans and the world around us and is a buildable display model inspired by the iconic rainbow flag which is used as a symbol of love and acceptance by the LGBTQIA+ community. Everyone is unique, and we believe that with a little more love, acceptance and understanding in the world, we can all feel more free to be our true AWESOME selves! We are fortunate to have many fantastic colleagues and adult fans who are proud members of the LGBTQIA+ community and with this model we want to show that we care, and that we truly believe ‘Everyone is awesome!’
ROLE MODEL
ADELE ROBERTS
DJ and presenter Adele Roberts rose to fame in 2002 on series three of Big Brother. During the hugely popular reality television show, she announced that she was bisexual. She said afterwards that it was a weight off her mind, and that she now tries to use her public status to encourage other young people who are struggling to come out. Roberts has hosted the Early Morning Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 1 since 2015, and will soon be the new host of Radio 1’s Weekend Breakfast Show. Over the past 12 months, she’s featured on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here and Celebrity Coach Trip.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
STONEWALL
At Stonewall, they imagine a world where LGBT+ people everywhere can live their lives to the full. Founded in London in 1989, they now work in each nation of the UK and have established partnerships across the globe. Over the last 30 years, they have created transformative change in the lives of LGBT+ people in the UK, helping win equal rights around marriage, having children and inclusive education. Their campaigns drive positive change for our communities, and sustained change and empowerment programmes ensure that LGBT+ people can thrive throughout their lives. Stonewall makes sure that the world hears and learns from our communities and their work is grounded in evidence and expertise.
GLOBAL MEDIA TRAILBLAZER
EDWARD ENNINFUL
Editor-in-chief of British Vogue, Enninful is a fundamental part of the fashion industry and has used his platform to promote LGBT+ inclusion. In 2019, during a Pride keynote speech, he spoke of the importance of diversity and intersectionality within the British LGBT+ community, an issue which truly needs to be addressed. In addition, Enninful has been outspoken about the experiences of young gay models and the work that is still to be done in the industry to improve its support of these individuals.
JUST EAT TAKEAWAY – OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO LGBT+ LIFE
ABBEY KIWANUKA
Abbey won protection as a gay refugee in 2010 and became British in 2020. After release from immigration detention in 2009, he supported LGBT+ asylum causes in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. In Uganda, he survived violence by both the police and his family. In 2013, he founded OPAL (Out & Proud African LGBTI), a registered charity since 2015. OPAL builds on the unparalleled diversity of Africa to create an inclusive, safe space where everyone may express who s/he is, whatever gender and age, and helps others to find advice on asylum processes and prepare for fulfilled lives as refugees.
JUST EAT TAKEAWAY – OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO LGBT+ LIFE
JUNO DAWSON
Juno is the international bestselling author of Young Adult novels and non-fiction, including the bestselling Clean and This Book is Gay. Her novel Meat Market was the winner of the YA Book Prize 2020. Her debut novel Her Majesty’s Royal Coven will be released globally in July. Juno’s titles are known for being filled with diverse characters and have been translated into 25 languages around the world. Formerly, Juno was a columnist at Attitude, Glamour and Metro. She has appeared on dozens of TV shows and podcasts to discuss sex, gender, sexuality, education, feminism and politics. In 2015, Juno underwent gender transition, which is documented in her memoir What’s the T? In her spare time, she is part of a cabaret collective and co-hosts the smash hit Sex and the City podcast So I Got to Thinking. In 2014, Juno became a School Role Model for Stonewall.
SWINTON INSURANCE – SPORTS PERSONALITY
TOM DALEY
British diver Tom Daley is a highly-decorated athlete, winning an Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020. This four-time Olympic medalist had been married to the Oscar-winning film screenwriter Dustin Lance Black since 2017. This pair have been a true force for activism and LGBT+ inclusion, speaking out against anti-LGBT+ laws, with Daley delivering Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message in 2021 where he talked about better sports inclusion.
BUSINESS CATEGORIES 2022
TESCO – FUTURE LEADER
KIM WARREN
Kim is a Managing Consultant at Credera, where they led LGBT+ diversity for three years with a particular focus on policy and trans inclusion, and founded Credera’s LGBT+ network. They are now Diversity lead, working internationally and across networks to drive an intersectional approach to DEI. Externally, Kim is a Director of Trans in the City. In 2020 they arranged online Trans Awareness Week panels for signatory organisations and in 2021 played a key role in organising the Trans in the City Gala. They are the Gender Diversity Rep for Pride in Surrey and volunteer for Diversity Role Models.
NETWORK RAIL – NETWORK GROUP OR ERG
L&GBT+ALLIES NETWORK
This network exists to foster a culture of inclusion and community for those who identify as LGBT+ and their allies. Launched in 2019, it has championed policy change for all marginalised communities. L&G was the founding member of LGBT Great and InterInvest, which helps foster LGBT+ inclusion in financial services. Working collaboratively with inclusion partners, industry-wide allyship training is delivered, bi visibility is championed and trans and non-binary inclusion through policy is driven, alongside, gender pronouns, internal and industry-wide trans inclusion training. L&G was also the ticket partner for the inaugural Trans Summit and its charity partnerships help transform the lives of LGBT+ young people. It proactively works with its suppliers to increase LGBT+ inclusion and supports customers through a colourful retirement campaign. Visible role modelling and allyship underpin the success of L&G’s dynamic and inclusive network.
MACQUARIE – INSPIRATIONAL LEADER
RISHI MADLANI
Rishi is an LGBT+ Champion across his professional and political career as well as in his local community. In his day job, Rishi is head of Climate & Sustainable Finance for NatWest and leads the Rainbow Network, the LGBT+ staff and allies network. Established 16 years ago it has c. 1,600 members globally. Recent highlights include championing LGBT+ communities in Warsaw and supporting members through the pandemic. Outside the office, Rishi is an active member of Foxes Pride, the LGBT+ fan group for Leicester City Football Club and is Co-Chair of Pride in Football the umbrella group of LGBT+ fan groups which seeks to improve LGBT+ experiences around football. He is a trustee of Opening Doors London, the older people’s LGBT+ charity. Additionally, Rishi is the Camden LGBT+ Champion where he is a Councillor.
HSBC UK – BUSINESS ALLY
LAURA YEATES
Laura is Head of Graduate Talent at the global law firm Clifford Chance. In her most recent role she has overseen the graduate recruitment and development teams, both of which have won awards for ground-breaking initiatives focused on improving access to the legal profession, innovation in the sector, tackling the stigma of mental health and sexual harassment in the workplace. She is a member of the ARCUS Steering Committee and also Co-Chair of the London Inclusion Committee.
She was the driving force behind the commissioning of a ground-breaking piece of research, Out & Proud, which looked at the experience of young LGBT+ people at university and work. She developed the LGBT+ Undergraduate of the Year award in partnership with TargetJobs (the first of its kind) and created the framework for engaging with LGBT+ students through the creation of the ACCEPT conference.
With more than 15 years in graduate recruitment experience and five years of HR experience, she is a Fellow of the CIPD, a Trustee of the Bridge Group, an Opinion Leader for People in Law and a member of the National Student Pride Advisory Board. In 2020 she founded the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance.
She is also a former Board Director of the Institute of Student Employers and member of the Advisory Board of The Apples & Pears Foundation, a London-based charity that enables inner city families to take weekend school trips with their children and volunteers.
LEGAL & GENERAL – DIVERSITY HERO
KEVIN HUMPHREYS
At 14, Kevin found himself homeless, having to leave home simply because of who he was. He was adopted from the streets of London by the squatter and house movement, where he discovered his first real ‘family’. Kevin survived, then actively protested against Margaret Thatcher’s homophobic piece of legislation Section 28 and witnessed HIV decimate our community. In his late twenties Kevin returned to education, gained a degree and entered the construction industry, where he fought more homophobia. Over the last 20 years Kevin has been activist, persuader and disrupter, and is now ‘Mother of the House of Prism Europe’, leading the Jacobs Engineering Group’s value of: “we live inclusion.”
BP – INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER OR COMPANY
BARCLAYS
Spectrum is open to all colleagues who are interested in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer-inclusive (LGBT+) community. Its focus is on supporting LGBT + colleagues at Barclays, creating an inclusive environment where colleagues can bring their whole self to work and make a valuable contribution to the overall success of the organisation. Its proudest moments have included adoption of pronouns across the business, a successful virtual Pride event series, continued support for Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, hosting its first all-trans colleague panel event and sharing powerful colleague stories both internally and externally.