Awards celebrate contributions to black gay community
Individuals and organisations that have made a difference to the lives of black lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people have been honoured at the second Black LGBT Community Awards.
Advocacy group UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group, actor Dean Atta, health promotion group Big Up and newspaper Pink Paper were among the award winners.
The awards were organised by the Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group, which works to challenge homophobia and racism and develop a sense of community among black gay men.
The gala awards ceremony dinner was held in London on 20th September 2008 on a luxury Thames cruiser.
Awards for club of the year, man and woman of the year, advocacy, health promotion, communications, community development, and arts were awarded.
The award winners were chosen by members of the public by voting at www.blgbt.com.
Rob Berkeley, Chair of BGMAG, said
“The past year has seen a flowering of so much great work for LGBT Black people, it seems only right to say thank you in this way.
“We are proud of these people and simply want to celebrate their work and provide visible role models for others.’
2008’s winners include Mz Fontaine, the lesbian rapper, who accepted her award as Woman of the Year with a tearful acceptance speech.
Ajamu won the Man of the Year award for “his ground-breaking exhibition ‘Outside Edge’ at the Museum in Docklands.”
The awards were sponsored by the Metropolitan Police, Bootylicious, Outburst, MOC, and UK Black Pride.
The Deputy Mayor of London, Richard Barnes, sent his support.
“I’m determined that London should be a city where you can be exactly who you want to be, and live your life as you’ve dreamed it, without fear,” he said.
“The Black LGBT Community Awards celebrate that freedom.”
