Joe Lycett, Sir Rod Stewart, Alex Scott and Harry Styles are among the stars nominated for this year’s British LGBT Awards, which take place on June 23.
Joe Lycett, nominated for the media moment of the year award, made headlines ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal, in November, when he publicly urged David Beckham to pull out of a reported £10m deal with the host nation – threatening to destroy £10,000 of his own money should the football star fail to do so.
World Cup pundit Alex Scott – wearing the One Love armband tribute in Qatar – is also shortlisted for the media moment of the year award. Last year, the prize was won by Johannes Radebe and John Whaite for their same-sex Strictly Come Dancing partnership in 2021.
Sir Rod Stewart, nominated in the celebrity ally category along with Alison Hammond, Emma Watson, Harry Styles, Michelle Visage, Pink, Katherine Ryan, Jenna Ortega, Patrick Stewart and Simone Ashley, also spoke out against Qatar’s human rights record in an interview with The Sunday Times, agreeing it “would have been good” to play his song The Killing of Georgie, about the murder of a gay man in the 1970s, at the opening ceremony as a protest. “I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1 million, to play there 15 months ago,” he continued. “I turned it down… It’s not right to go.”
The British LGBT Awards honour leading LGBTQ+ activists, allies and celebrities who have worked to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ people during the past 12 months.
Sarah Garrett, British LGBT Awards founder, said: “It is more important than ever that we shine a light on those who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the LGBTQ+ community, during what has been another very challenging 12 months for the community.
“The nominees, which include an exciting mix of famous LGBTQ+ faces, allies and organisations, have all demonstrated a commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights.”
Billy Porter, Emma Corrin, Rebel Wilson and Luke Evans are among the stars shortlisted for the LGBT+ celebrity award, while Anne-Marie, Becky Hill, Lizzo and Maneskin are included in the music prize category.
Other previous British LGBT Award winners include Sir Elton John, Edward Enninful, Hillary Clinton, Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, Munroe Bergdorf and Demi Lovato.
