The annual bash celebrates the best British and international LGBT+ talent, as well as the allies and organisations who support them.
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Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall, Nicola Adams and Courtney Act.
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Stephen Fry was also honoured at the bash held in central London on Friday night, with a Lifetime Achievement award for his lifelong record of championing LGBT+ rights and fight against mental health stigma.
His award was presented by Emeli Sande who described him as a “hero of the people fighting inequality and discrimination all over the world.”
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Stephen Fry
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Little Mix and Ellie Goulding were among the celebrity ‘allies’ to take home trophies in recognition of their efforts to advance the rights of the LGBT+ community.
Paul O’Grady, who rose to fame with his drag character, Lily Savage, was recognised with the prestigious ‘Trailblazer’ accolade.
Sex and the City actress-turned-political-campaigner Cynthia Nixon was awarded Celebrity of the Year after using her platform to be vocal about marriage equality and LGBT+ visibility.
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Cynthia Nixon
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Bisexual athlete Nicola Adams, who is Great Britain’s most successful female boxer of all time, scooped the Sports Personality award and former Disney actor-turned-popstar, Hayley Kiyoko, was presented with the MTV-sponsored Music Artist prize.
RuPaul’s Drag Race star Courtney Act was recognised with the ‘Media Moment’ gong. The Australian-born star has emerged as one of the strongest contemporary voices for LGBT+ rights and last year won Celebrity Big Brother in the UK.
Marjorie Strachan, of British LGBT Awards founding partner, NatWest, said: “The awards are about more than recognising the nominees and winners, they are about creating a change in attitudes towards diversity and inclusion in every part of the UK. This is something that we are committed to, and proud to celebrate.”
Sarah Garrett MBE, founder of the British LGBT Awards, said: “Every year the British LGBT Awards gets bigger and better. Each and every one of our winners and nominees continue to make the world a better place for the LGBT+ community, using their platform to advance the rights of our community and educate people in Britain and beyond about the need for equality.”