Tuxedos at the ready for the prestigious Gaydio Pride Awards, taking place tomorrow (Friday), at the Hilton on Deansgate in Manchester. This will be the third annual Gaydio Pride Awards ceremony, set up to honour remarkable individuals and organisations from Greater Manchester, recognising those who have positively impacted the lives of LGBTQ+ people across various categories, ranging from influential activists to community organisations.
The awards ceremony promises a night of star-studded appearances, featuring performances from the likes of Katy B and Tulisa [pictured from the new NDubz album Timeless]. The nominations cover 13 categories, including LGBTQ+ Influencer of the Year and Venue/Event of the Year, with the shortlisted nominees being selected by a panel of judges drawn from the community.
Last year, the awards saw Manchester's talents shine brightly, with Vanilla receiving the Venue or Event of the Year award and Sikh drag queen Lucky Roy Singh being honoured as LGBTQ+ Influencer of the Year. Other notable winners included the Transmanian Devils for Sports Club of the Year and Layton Williams for Outstanding Entertainment Contribution.
Among this year’s nominees is Darren Pritchard, who runs Ghetto Fabulous, one of the leading QTIBIPOC entertainment companies. Pritchard commented on his nomination for Influencer of the Year, stating, “For the past 20 years, my work has centred on uplifting, promoting, and supporting marginalized communities, with a particular focus on the QTBIPOC community,” adding that the acknowledgment serves as a tribute to the supportive community standing behind his efforts.
The event T4T, a pop club night curated by and for trans individuals, has also been recognised in the Event of the Year category. The organisers, Gomorrah and Char, expressed their commitment to creating a safe and diverse environment for connection and celebration within the local trans community, something they sought to establish about a year ago. They said, “We saw a need for more accessible spaces within Manchester’s LGBTQ+ scene.”
The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's LGBTQ+ Network has been nominated for Pride Network of the Year, providing a safe and inclusive environment for staff and students identifying as LGBTQ+. Graham Rimmer, a business manager with the network, remarked on the surprise and honour of being nominated, highlighting their passion for creating supportive workspaces.
Meanwhile, the Co-op Respect Network is another contender for Pride Network of the Year, actively promoting diversity and inclusivity within their workplace. Dan Sayers-Yates, Co-Chair of the PRISM Network, noted their historic participation in Pride events and efforts to ensure comprehensive support for LGBTQ+ colleagues across the Co-op brand.
Further emphasising Manchester's vibrant LGBTQ+ community, the esteemed Manchester Pride charity is in the running for Pride Organisation of the Year. A spokesperson for the charity expressed excitement about the nomination, underlining their collaborative approach with local LGBTQ+ communities in curating inclusive events.
Other nominations include the renowned New York New York bar, known as The Party Palace, which has been a staple in Manchester's Gay Village for over 30 years, and Logan Brown, a trans activist also nominated for Influencer of the Year, who has been influential through his work and advocacy, including experiences portrayed in his book.
The Gaydio Pride Awards are much anticipated within the community, not only for their recognition of hard work and dedication but also as a celebration of the resilience and contributions of LGBTQ+ voices across Manchester and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services