Gay Telegraph boss Lord Black of Brentwood honoured at Press Awards

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Tory peer and Telegraph Executive Director Lord Black of Brentwood has been honoured at the Press Awards.

Guy Black is Executive Director of the Telegraph Media Group and a Conservative Life Peer member of the House of Lords.

He was named PinkNews Peer of the Year in October for using his seat in the House of Lords to raise significant issues relating to LGBT rights.

Over the past year, Guy has continued his long standing campaign to outlaw reparative, so called ‘gay cure’ therapy. This year, Guy has also turned his attention to HIV prevention and treatment, along with decriminalisation efforts around the world.

He has also pushed the government on press freedom, and received the Journalists’ Charity Award for 2016 at the Press Awards this week.

The peer said: “I’m bowled over to recieve this award for many reasons, not least because the Journalists’ Charity is so special to me.

“When I first came into the industry 20 years ago I was told by the great and good and powerful, we disagree on so many things, but one thing we always agree on is the importance of the Journalists’ Charity. It’s needed now more than ever.

“I just wanted to say say, you mentioned what little work I can do to protect and enhance press freedom. What I have been able to do, and we’ve all fought some battles together, is thanks to the work and effort of everybody [in the industry] in helping to stave off the threats that come from government.

“Thank you for everything that everybody here does to help the News Media Association, the Society of Editors and all of those who are trying to protect our precious freedoms.”